Breast Cancer Expansion

Do most women realize the risks associated with toxic deodorants?

When I went organic and started delving into the hidden ingredients in personal care products, I was shocked at what I found in my deodorant/anti-perspirant. I had been using a well known woman’s brand (extra strength variety) and it contained: parabens, talc, artificial fragrances, aluminum, and other chemicals. Many of these ingredients are linked to skin problems, breast cancer, and Alzheimer’s Disease. No wonder I had recurring infections under my arms and who knows what else it could have led to.  These toxins leach into the breast tissue through the lymph nodes. Aluminum particles have even been found in breast cancer tissue samples. How scary! Everyone uses deodorant, but this problem is especially relevant for women….why? Because women are the ones getting breast cancer at alarming rates. This is why I highly recommend for everyone to stop using aluminum based deodorant or anti-perspirants. There are many other risk factors for breast cancer, but this is one you can control. I had amazing results when I  made the switch to organic deodorant. The boils and irritation disappeared.

Choices, Choices, Choices

There are many nontoxic deodorants on the market…so many that it can be a confusing task to choose the right one. A good rule of thumb is to get sample sizes of a deodorant so you can see if it works with your body. Here’s something you probably didn’t know: what may work for someone, may not work for you. We all have different body chemistry. So while a review of deodorant may be a useful tool to figure out if you want to try a particular brand, you still won’t know the truth until you swipe it on yourself! Having said that….here is my review for Pit Putty!

Pit Putty: First try, No good!

Pit Putty Deodorant Review

Pit Putty is made by Bubble and Bee, a fabulous little company who produce certified organic body care. See my previous review of some of their most popular products. I tried Pit Putty 100% Organic Deodorant. I live in South Florida and started using Pit Putty during the heart of the summer. That’s sweatin’ time for real. What I really like about PP is that it has all organic ingredients and comes in a deodorant stick (much like commercial deodorants.) It’s easy to apply. Just swipe it on lightly a few times and rub in (it becomes a bit powdery.) At first it worked splendidly. Then after a few weeks, I began to see it working less….and less…I was a bit sweaty and my funk was coming through. That’s a little embarrassing to admit, but it was! (Remember though, even though this variety of PP didn’t work well for me, it just may well work for you.)

Second Time Around

Bubble and Bee has a guarantee that if the variety of PP you chose does not work, they will send you a different one! And that’s exactly what Stephanie (the brains behind Bubble and Bee) did. So when you get a deodorant from B&B, you know they will not rest until you’re satisfied. She sent me another Pit Putty, this time in Spearmint and Tea Tree. I’ve always loved spearmint since I used to chew Wrigley’s Spearmint gum

Spearmint and Tea Tree worked for me!

as a child. It’s also a deodorant stick. When I applied it, I immediately smelled the refreshing minty aroma. I’ve been using it for the past month and here are my results: dry, fresh underarms! This formulation worked with my body chemistry! This really proves that you have to try out different products until you find one that matches you. Of course, on really hot and sticky days, I have to reapply for additional coverage. Overall, I was very satisfied with this deodorant.

Put Your Fears to Rest

Many women experience fears about switching to organic deodorant. Y’all think you’re going to sweat too much or that it won’t be strong enough. Believe me, you may sweat a little (that’s your body’s way of releasing toxins) but you will be very satisfied with organic deodorant’s overall performance. When you make the switch, you’re treating your body to a safe, nontoxic alternative and avoiding harmful petrochemicals. If you have any further questions about choosing an organic deodorant, feel free to send me a message. I’ve tried many deodorants and can guide you to some wonderful, effective products.

Stay natural…stay beautiful…go green!

I was doing some research recently and read about how even mineral salt or crystal deodorant is not good for you! Apparently the type of alum in the deodorant is the same type found in commercial, toxic antiperspirants and deodorants. This aluminum is the same aluminum that has been linked to cancer and Alzhemier’s Disease. Now you might be saying, GEEZ, what can I use then!? I have a solution for you. I have been using Real Purity deodorant for some time now (over 2 years) and I am so satisfied with it’s performance and protection. It keeps me dry and fresh throughout the day with all natural ingredients. It is the one product I would take with me on a desert island. Yes, I am serious! Visit my favorite online beauty store to read the ingredients and many customer reviews raving about this wonder product and to get your own.

On another exciting note…Tomorrow is the big day!! On Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2010 I am making my radio debut on Blogtalkradio! I will be interviewed by Charly Leetham from stretchyourmindandbody.com. This is a chance for me to share my message with others and I would like to thanks Charly for this great opportunity. I will be sharing some tidbits about my upcoming ebook, so I hope you can call in…if you can’t make it, the call will be available for later listening.

Click here to read the press release and learn how to call in to the show.

Toxic Beauty Goes Down Under

Stay natural…stay beautiful…go green!

Robin

• 1/4 cup baking soda
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 6-8 tablespoons coconut oil
• 10 drops of lavender or fennel essential oil

Combine the baking soda and cornstarch in a small container. Little by little, add the coconut oil until you have a paste. Finally, add the essential oil of your choice. Apply to underarms with your fingertips.

Many essential oils have anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties, making them an ideal addition to your deodorant mixture. Baking soda has so many uses, especially odor absorbing while cornstarch has been used for years to absorb moisture. Coconut oil is especially beneficial for so many reasons (see this post for more on coconut oil!)

So after one day, this at home mix proved to be better than most commercial, aluminum filled toxic deodorants on the market today. Be safe with your deodorant and save money in the process. Do you have any simple homemade deodorant recipes you can share? And if you try this recipe, I’d love to hear your results. Thanks for reading and until next time, stay natural, stay beautiful…Robin.

Update: I had been using this deodorant for a week. It was the best deodorant I have ever used…no odor, no sweat…simply amazing! Until after the first week…I started getting bumps on my underarms! So I decided that maybe I got the formulations wrong or put too much baking soda in it. I now see that making your own beauty products is a trial and error, learning proccess.

I decided to turn to a fellow natural beauty blogger, Michelle Singh. She has a great blog: greengirlorganics. She recommended using cosmetic grade cornstarch (I bought mine from the grocery store) and using less essential oil. She also recommended a few natural deodorants by  Miessence and Weleda. Thanks, Michelle!

   I recently read a blog post about how to stay dry during the upcoming summer months. Specifically, about how to keep your underarms dry. Now I know it is about to get really hot and most people get uncomfortable being all sweaty and sticky. I’m not a big fan either. So someone came up with using botox in the underarm to stay dry. Apparently it lasts for 4 months and works really well. But I have a problem with this. Who knows what the long-term effects of this chemical is and as I have mentioned before in earlier posts, you are supposed to sweat. It’s the body’s way of getting rid of toxins that we are constantly taking in. What goes in, must come out. If the toxin path is blocked, where do they go? They are retained and absorbed into the body. I believe this is what causes disease. This concerns me greatly. People shouldn’t be afraid of their own bodily functions. This summer, let the sweat flow! Or if this idea makes you shudder, use a great effective natural deodorant made by Real Purity. No toxins, no problems.

What do you think of using Botox to stop from sweating? Comments are welcome!

  

   Like many people, for years I used deodorant without thinking about the ramifications.   I assumed it was safe because it was available to me. When I found out what it contains and how it affects you, I was astounded!

  Aluminum is a toxin found in most commercial deodorants and anti-perspirants. National health organizations have reported a link between aluminum and diseases such as brain disorders and cancer. Because the deodorant is applied to the underarm, the toxin goes directly into the lymph nodes and breast tissue. This is a very scary thought. Why do they put aluminum in deodorant if it contributes to disease? After over 2 years of organic living, I’m still asking myself this today.

   So as you walk down the deodorant aisle of your favorite discount store, you are bombarded with hundreds of aluminum filled toxic products. What to use?? Stay tuned to find out!   

  I used to have a sweating problem. Yes, I admit it, as embarrassing as it may be. I even went to a dermatologist to see if I could get a prescription strength deodorant. I used it for a while, but it was severe and dried my skin out (it had a high aluminum content, the principal drying ingredient and a very dangerous toxin, as well.)  But for years prior to that, I used regular deodorant like anyone else. I never thought that maybe, just maybe, I shouldn’t be stopping myself from sweating. Now I know differently.

   Sweating is the body’s natural way of releasing toxins. When sweating is inhibited, the body retains the toxins, potentially causing lymph node and sweat gland problems. It never occurred to me that my body was trying to release toxins as I was overweight, ate very poorly and used toxic beauty products. Only until I educated myself did I realize that sweating is good!