Sustainable beauty is a result of what we eat, drink and think, as well as what we apply to our skin. Just as our food can nourish us from the inside, the skincare, makeup and personal care products we use can nourish us from the outside. The good news is we don’t have to compromise the health of our bodies or our environment to look and feel our best. We also don’t have to compromise glamour, luxury or style to live in a more natural and organic way. In this monthly feature, we will explore what’s in our beauty products. Please join me in my quest for the most natural, yet effective cosmetics!
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and according to the American Cancer Society, approximately 1 in 8 women in the US will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. This striking statistic may have you giving some thought to prevention. There are many factors associated with developing breast cancer and the ingredients in our cosmetics and personal care products may be one of them.
You might have heard about the connection between antiperspirants and breast cancer. Here is the theory behind it: antiperspirants contain ingredients such as aluminum, parabens, triclosan and phthalates, which some studies suggest can cause hormone disruption. They can mimic estrogen in the body, causing something called estrogen dominance, a known factor in the development of breast cancer.
We know that the skin can absorb up to 80 percent of what we apply to it, but with antiperspirants, there may be even higher absorption. This is because after shaving, small nicks in the skin can allow these chemicals to more easily enter our skin and body. While more research is needed to determine how this directly affects breast cancer risk, I believe avoiding antiperspirants altogether is a conscious and smart choice. I am not suggesting you go au naturale, but thankfully we don’t need aluminum and synthetic fragrance to help us feel comfortable and fresh.
The alternative is choosing from natural deodorants, which use safe, plant-based ingredients to absorb moisture and neutralize odor. If you have tried switching to natural deodorants before, you know that it may take some trial and error to find the one that works well for you. Everyone’s body chemistry is so different, and what’s effective for one person, may not work for another. The good news is, natural deodorants have come a long way and there are some fantastic new formulas getting rave reviews. Here are three favorites to try:
Sustainable Beauty with Soapwalla Deodorant Cream
You may have noticed there is no applicator here, you apply this deodorant with your fingers. It may seem strange at first, but you get used to it quickly! The benefit is that is works so well. Soapwalla’s magical formulation uses kaolin clay, lavender and tea tree oils to get the job done.
Sustainable Beauty with Piperwai Natural Deodorant
Launched earlier this year, Piperwai creme deodorant uses a unique blend of activated charcoal and tapioca for absorbing moisture, magnesium for pH balance and a blend of 11 essential oils to keep you smelling sweet.
Sustainable Beauty with Blissoma Natural Deodorant
Blissoma just introduced their exciting new and improved deodorant formulations last month. They include an Aromatic Spray in 3 scents, lavender, juniper and citrus, as well as a scentless stick. I love the lightweight spray bottles as they make it quick to apply and easy to carry and freshen up on-the-go.
If it seems challenging to find a natural deodorant that provides the kind of comfort and dependability you are used to with antiperspirants, give one of these a try! I think you will be pleasantly surprised. Plus, knowing you are avoiding hormone disrupting chemicals and reducing your body’s toxic burden is so worth it! Wishing you and all the women in your life abundant beauty and wellness.