Body odor is not pleasant and something we all try to contain. That’s why underarm care is one of our most important daily routines. When you’re feeling less than fresh it can take away your confidence. I have been searching for a natural deodorant that actually works for YEARS!  I have read about of some of the dangers with aluminum in deodorant, but I have to admit that I kept going back because nothing I tried actually worked.  And being a hairstylist, um…I couldn’t have stinky pits.  Can you imagine me shampooing someone without deodorant?

I am happy to say that I finally found one!  I am so excited to share this with everyone!  Tested, by yours truly!! I’ve gotten great results, and I will give you all of the details.

But first, I wanted to start with some research that I did:  Since the ’60s, studies have linked aluminum, the active ingredient in antiperspirants, to several degenerative and chronic diseases.

Did you know that using certain deodorants or an antiperspirant daily can change the bacterial microbiome in your armpits? Consistent use can actually make your sweat smellier (due to overproduction of a bad bacteria) if you briefly discontinue use.

Why Do We Sweat?

Here’s the deal: We have two types of sweat glands saturate your underarms. The eccrine glands produce sweat, which escapes through pores on the skin’s surface. The apocrine glands merge with hair follicles under the surface. Fluids from these glands mix with bacteria (your warm, dark, moist pits make the perfect breeding ground for bugs) and produce the unpleasant stench we call body odor.

There are several reasons why we perspire. The body uses sweat to regulate temperature and cool the body during times of stress. This can be due to anxiety, elevated body temperature (like fever or in a sauna) or just the positive stress of working out. Sweat is also an effective detox pathway for heavy metals and toxins.

Does sweat cause body odor?

Sweat itself does not cause body odor. The body’s apocrine sweat glands in the skin, mostly in the armpit locale, excrete fats and proteins which feed bacteria and cause body odor.

There are Health Benefits to Sweating

I found an article written by Wellness Mama and according to her, there are 11 health benefits to sweating:

1. Detox Heavy Metals
2. Help the Body Remove BPA, PCBs, and other Endocrine Disruptors
3. Promote Healthier Skin
4. Defeat Harmful Microbes
5. Protect the Heart
6. Speed Recovery After Exercise
7. Lower Stress Hormones
8. Decrease Risk of Alzheimer’s
9. Boost Sexual Drive and Attraction
10. Reduce Menopause Symptoms
11. Lower Risk of Kidney Stones

What is the difference between deodorant and an antiperspirant?

Deodorant and antiperspirants tackle the effects of apocrine sweat glands. Antiperspirants use chemicals — like aluminum – to stop sweat, while deodorant works to contain odor.

What should you avoid?

Antiperspirants can contain heavy metals and also block pores and reduce the body’s ability to sweat.

According to an article by Time, “When you eat something, it’s broken down by your liver and digestive system,” says Heather Patisaul, Ph.D., an associate professor of biology at North Carolina State University. “But when you put something on your skin, there are times when it can enter your bloodstream without being metabolized.”

Patisaul spends most of her time studying known and potential endocrine disruptors—chemicals that may mess with the function of your body’s reproductive and developmental hormones. She says rubbing something on your skin doesn’t mean all—or even any—of it will make its way into your bloodstream; it depends on the chemical. But blood tests show that many of the substances commonly included in deodorant products can, in fact, worm their way past the epidermis and into the body.

Research also shows that some compounds used in deodorant are absorbed and stored in fat cells, which are prevalent in the underarm area, says Philip Harvey, Ph.D., editor in chief of the Journal of Applied Toxicology. Your underarm tissue also contains hormone receptors, which could react to some of those same deodorant ingredients, Harvey says.

For all these reasons, experts like Harvey and Patisaul are worried certain compounds in antiperspirant and deodorant could cause or contribute to developmental or reproductive issues, as well as cancer. (Other research shows some of these substances can mess with the microorganisms—many of them beneficial—that live on and in your body.

Aluminum

Typically found only in antiperspirants, this metal can cause “gene instability” in breast tissue, Darbre’s research shows. This instability can cause changes than may promote the growth of tumors or cancer cells, she explains. “Over 50% of breast cancers start in the upper outer quadrant of the breast local to the underarm region,” Darbre says. While that’s not proof aluminum is to blame, breast cancer incidence tends to align with use of products that contain the metal. Especially if you shave under your arms, applying a product containing aluminum to that broken skin could be bad news, Darbre says.

Still, as TIME has reported: According to the American Cancer Society’s website, there is no “clear” or “direct” link between aluminum and cancer. The National Cancer Institute site says “more research is needed.”

With my family history of breast cancer, and my struggles with auto-immune diseases, I’m just not willing to take a chance any more, especially because there is another option.

Other ingredients to avoid:

• Phthalates– Endocrine disruptors often also found in plastic that can cause hormone imbalance and even infertility
• Propylene glycol– common name: antifreeze. It is a hotly debated additive in personal care products but the Environmental Working Group reports that it carries a moderate risk of immunotoxicity and allergies.
• Formaldehyde-  a known carcinogen-which also happens to kill germs.

Don’t Stress! I’ve got your solution:

Prevent odor and moisturize your underarms with our fresh, clean scented Shopping Annuity Brand Premium Deodorant.

This one of a kind formula helps neutralize odor, keeping you fresh throughout the day without the use of harsh chemicals. It’s free of aluminum, parabens and silicones, and smoothly glides onto the skin without leaving a sticky residue. By using the Shopping Annuity Brand Premium Deodorant, you can feel assured in knowing that you are using a safe, quality product.

Add Shopping Annuity Premium Deodorant to your personal care collection at home and help prevent odor using a more natural approach.

Benefits

• Fresh Clean Scent
• Free of aluminum, parabens and silicones
• Safe for all skin types
• Cruelty free
• For men and women

Ingredients

Maranta Arundinacea Root Powder, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Sodium Bicarbonate, Beeswax, Theobroma (Cocoa Butter) Seed Butter, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Fragrance, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Jojoba Esters, Water, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil

I have only ever used antiperspirants. How do I make an easy transition using the Shopping Annuity Brand Premium Deodorant?
Just because your sweat may smell strong if you forget to put on your antiperspirant for one day does not mean that you shouldn’t try to ditch your antiperspirant. In fact, that’s a good reason to try to detox (see below) your armpits and transition to a nontoxic option! If you are making the complete transition from an antiperspirant (which is great!), it may be helpful for some to try our Premium Deodorant before the weather gets hot so you can ease into it. Also, note that it may take your body up to a few weeks to regulate its sweat production – your body is detoxing the antiperspirant in your skin.

I have sensitive skin. Is this safe for me to use?
Yes, Shopping Annuity Brand Premium Deodorant is safe for all skin types.

Is this deodorant for both men and women?
Yes, Shopping Annuity Premium Deodorant is gender neutral with a fresh, scent that does not lean towards a traditional male or feminine fragrance.

Can children use this deodorant?
Body odor is common in young children and teenagers, especially during puberty. Practicing good hygiene is a great first step. As with anything you purchase for your family, deciding whether to let your child use this deodorant is a personal choice based on what each parent feels is best for their child’s health and wellness.

What is the texture of Shopping Annuity Brand Premium Deodorant?
Our deodorant has a smooth, white texture that glides onto your skin effortlessly.

Is Shopping Annuity Brand Premium Deodorant cruelty-free?
Yes, this product has not been tested on animals.

You may need to detox your underarms…
Switching to more natural body care products is one of the first steps in many people’s health journeys, but have you ever tried switching to natural deodorant only to discover it isn’t working? Does it leave a rash, cause excessive sweating, or leave you smelling funkier than when you started? It could be that you need to detox your underarms!

This may sound like an unusual solution, but just like the liver and kidneys, the underarms are major points of detoxification that need support to release toxins optimally.

Prolonged use of conventional deodorants that contain aluminum greatly inhibit this essential detox pathway because they actually plug up sweat glands and prevent sweating.

When we switch to a natural alternative and allow the sweat glands to do what they’re supposed to do (i.e. SWEAT), the underarms react by pushing out all of the built-up toxins that have been trapped for years. This causes a detox reaction as this sudden “unplugging” allows the body to release an onslaught of nasty chemicals. The resulting funky odor, red bumps, tender lymph nodes, irritation, and excessive sweat is what makes it seem like your natural deodorant isn’t working.

How to Detox Your Arm Pits

All you need is bentonite clay, apple cider vinegar and water.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon bentonite clay
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• 1-2 teaspoons of water (to the right consistency)

Instructions

1. Mix all of the ingredients in a glass bowl (do not use metal!) with a wooden or non-metal spoon until about the consistency of sour cream.
2. Spread in an even layer over the armpits and allow to sit for 5-20 minutes. I suggest starting slowly and working up to a longer period of time once you see how your body adjust. If it hurts at all, remove immediately.
3. This may cause some redness as it will increase blood-flow to the area, but it will go away quickly.
4. Wash off in the shower or with a warm, wet washcloth.
5. Repeat daily or as needed until under-arm odor goes away and natural deodorant is non-irritating.

Keep in mind that bentonite clay is the strongest clay for sucking out impurities and increases blood flow. It is not uncommon to feel your heartbeat in your underarms while using this mask.

Are you ready to get the Shopping Annuity Brand Premium Deodorant? Get it here.