The routine is similar for many of us: Wake up, brush our teeth, take a shower, and then, we may reach for that stick of deodorant or antiperspirant. These products have a simple goal: prevent body odor. Antiperspirants are aluminum-laced products that natural deodorants aim to replace. Antiperspirants trap sweat inside your sweat glands before it’s released, so it never mixes with underarm bacteria to create body odor. Antiperspirants contain aluminum salts to prevent sweat from reaching the skin’s surface, while aluminum-free deodorants help fight odor without blocking pores. The major difference between deodorant without aluminum and deodorant with aluminum is that the former blocks odor whereas the latter blocks sweat. Sweat is our healthy way of cooling down the body, and sweat from our underarms is activated by the nervous system through the apocrine glands. These glands produce sweat high in protein, which attracts odor-causing bacteria.
Why you should switch to a Natural Aluminum-Free Deodorant?
- No more pit stains
- Allowing your body to sweat freely using its natural process.
- Avoid aluminum in your beauty products.
- Unclogged armpit pores.
- Less armpit irritation. It’s gentle on the skin.
- Increased natural detoxification of the body through sweating.
- Odor masking and prevention with pleasant, often natural fragrances such as lavender, citrus, and rosemary.
- Moisturized healthier armpit skin if you choose a deodorant with aloe or other moisturizing ingredients.
- Avoid a potential breast cancer risk!
Breast Cancer and Aluminum-based Deodorants
Breast cancer is by far the most common cancer in women in the western world. In 90% of breast cancers, environmental factors are among the causes. The frequency with which the tumor occurs in the outer upper part of the breast has risen with above-average rates in recent decades. Aluminum salts as ingredients in deodorants and antiperspirants are being absorbed by the body to a greater extent than hitherto assumed. Their toxicity for healthy and diseased breast tissue cells includes various well-documented path mechanisms. The study by Jennrich and Schulte-Uebbing (2016), showed that Aluminum in deodorants triggers breast cancer. Aloe Ever-Shield Deodorant stick’s formulation maximizes the deodorant properties of Aloe Vera without containing the antiperspirant aluminum salts contained in many other deodorants (Leigh, 2006).
Beyond aluminum, there are other chemicals in deodorant to be wary of: propylene glycol, triclosan, phytalates, parabens, fragrances, aluminum chlorohydrate, TEA, DEA, FD&C colors, and Talc. Propylene glycol studies have shown damage to the central nervous system, liver, and heart. There is also concern that regular exposure to triclosan could cause resistant strains of bacteria to form, and in more than one animal study impacted thyroid function (O’Connor & Spunt, 2010).
The phthalates and parabens in anti-perspirants are also endocrine disruptors in that they may interfere with hormone receptors and increase the likelihood of cell mutation. Endocrine disruptors mimic or partly mimic naturally occurring hormones in the body, potentially producing overstimulation. They can bind to a receptor within a cell and block the endogenous hormone (the real, naturally occurring hormone) from binding, and in turn the body misses the signal and doesn’t respond as it would otherwise. Endocrine disruptors can also: increase, decrease, transform, or imitate the production of certain hormones. They compete with certain nutrients and interfere with hormone signaling by telling cells to die prematurely, binding to essential hormones, or accumulating in organs that produce hormones (Meal, 2017).
Aloe Vera-Based Deodorant
Aloe Vera has been used for medicinal purposes in several cultures. Alexander the Great, persuaded by his mentor Aristotle, captured the island of Socotra (they
believed that Aloe Vera was restricted to the Island) and instructed some of his soldiers to preserve and cultivate the aloes. Christopher Columbus used Aloe Vera leaves to treat soldiers’ wounds, and Egyptian queens Nefertiti, and Cleopatra used it as part of their regular beauty regimes (Demissew, 2005).
Forever Living ensures that its Aloe Vera plants grow in the best climate conditions. Harvesting is done entirely by hand to ensure that the aloe vera is not degraded and that the plant is fully mature. Then the aloe vera leaves are sent directly to the factories near the fields. The proximity of the plants is very important so that the aloe vera does not have time to oxidize before the stabilization. Then the aloe vera leaves are carefully washed and rinsed to prepare them to extract the precious gel that is the basis of all Forever products. Then the gel is separated from the bark and rinsed again to remove the sap that is not edible. The pulp is then ready to be cold stabilized by a unique patented process. Numerous laboratory tests guarantee the exceptional quality that allows the brand to be labeled by the IASC.
There’s nothing worse than applying deodorant directly after shaving and feeling irritation! Forever Living’s Deodorant Stick is made with Stabilized Aloe Vera Gel, which is safe even for Sensitive Skin! It can be used directly after underarm shaving and waxing without stinging!
This gentle formula with stabilized Aloe Vera gel contains no harsh or harmful anti-perspirant aluminum salts that are found in so many other deodorants on the market. The convenient stick form allows you to apply Aloe Ever-Shield just where it is needed. The special formulation glides on smoothly and does not stain clothes, even after prolonged use. Now let’s talk about the pros and cons of Forever Living’s Organic Deodorant:
The Pros:
- Paraben Free!
- Has Lightening effects on the Armpits (with continued usage)
- Glides on like a Liquid
- has a Light and Clean Scent
- Last for Months!!!
- Protects you from Odor All Day
- Best for Women & Men
- Not sticky
- Can be used even after shaving or waxing
- Moisturizes Skin
- Does not stain clothes
- Contains no aluminum salts
- Rich in texture
- Can be used on feet too!
The Cons:
- Can only be Purchased from Forever Distributors (like me!).
- Not an Antiperspirant (because Blocking of sweats prevents the toxins to come out)
- It may seem to be pricey
- You have to make sure that it’s really dry before you put on your clothes.
- May not be suitable for people who perspire heavily.
Move with confidence knowing Aloe Ever-Shield® is here to keep you feeling fresh and clean!
Product Tip:
If you do a lot of running, apply the Aloe Ever-Shield Deodorant Stick to your feet. It acts as a lubricant and helps to stop blisters as well as keep your feet feeling fresh.
Cruelty Free and Vegan Friendly!
Is your deodorant cruelty free and vegan friendly? How about made with natural ingredients? Aloe Ever-Shield Deodorant ticks all the boxes, while still offering all-day protection!
Other benefits:
- Treats dark armpits/underarms
- Treats dark inner thighs
- Treats dark necks
Forever Living’s Aloe Ever-Shield Deodorant provides effective all-day protection. Replace your regular deodorant with Forever Aloe Ever-Shield deodorant for a month and let us know what you think! If you know somebody with sensitive skin this can be a great gift to help alleviate the symptoms they get when using their regular deodorant! Shop Forever Aloe Ever-Shield deodorant here!
References:
Demissew, S. (2005). The Genus Aloe. Medicinal and Aromatic Plants—Industrial Profiles. Vol. 38. Economic Botany, 59(4), 396-396.
Jennrich, P., & Schulte-Uebbing, C. (2016). Does aluminium trigger breast cancer?. The Open Access Journal of Science and Technology, 4(3), 1-6.
Leigh, G. (2006). Aloe vera: some clinical and personal uses in the practice. Dental Nursing, 2(7), 329-330.
MEAL, M., PLAN, M., & GUIDE, G. (2017). The Quest for an All Natural Deodorant. Quest.
O’Connor, S. & Spunt, A. 2010. No More Dirty Looks. Lifelong Books: Cambridge.
