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Non-Toxic Deodorant Safe for Fertility & Pregnancy

in Non-Toxic for Fertility on 02/09/19

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One of the most toxic items we can put on our bodies is deodorant! The stuff we grew up with at the store- Secret, Suave, Teen Spirit, Soft & Dri, Dove, etc., are all super toxic and have ingredients linked to infertility, cancer, thyroid problems, and obesity. The good news is that there are SO MANY safer options out there now! The beauty and wellness industry has come a long way and now there are so many non-toxic deodorant options!

In this post I’m going to talk about the worst ingredients in deodorant that you absolutely need to avoid if trying to conceive or pregnant (or, you know, a human!!!!). Then, I’m going to talk about SAFER, non-toxic deodorants and why the ones you’ve tried before might not have worked (and what to do!). I’m also going to explain how to do an easy armpit detox. Then I’m going to share my absolute favorite non-toxic deodorants that hubby and I use, and I’ll provide you with a long list of other safe options!

Non-Toxic Deodorant and Infertility, Fertility, TTC, Pregnancy

Table of Contents

  • The dangerous ingredients in conventional deodorants
      • Phthalates
      • Parabens
      • Triclosan
      • Diethanolamine & other Ethanolamines
      • Other Toxic Ingredients to Avoid in Deodorant
  • Issues with Natural Deodorants
  • How to Do an Armpit Detox
  • Our Favorite Non-Toxic Deodorants!
  • My current deodorant- Primally Pure Blue Tansy
  • Hubby’s current favorite
  • Magnesium Deodorant!
  • My first favorite non-toxic deodorant!
  • Baking-Soda Free Deodorant
  • Other Non-Toxic Deodorants

The dangerous ingredients in conventional deodorants

For anyone trying to get pregnant, stay pregnant, have a healthy pregnancy, or avoid hormone-driven cancers like some breast, ovarian, uterine, endometrial, and prostate cancers, the worst ingredients in deodorants are the endocrine disruptors. I’m talking about parabens and phthalates primarily. Also, some deodorants sneak in triclosan, an antibacterial that has been banned in many other personal care products in the U.S. but is still lurking in deodorant and toothpaste.

Phthalates

Ohh, the destroyer of sperm! Phthalates are linked to decreased fertility in men and women, miscarriage, and pregnancy complications. They are also linked to cancer and to intellectual and emotional developmental complications in children. In other words this is stuff you DO NOT WANT in your deodorant.

You want to find a deodorant that specifically says “pthhalate-free.” Watch out for any ingredients such as “fragrance,” “perfume,” or “parfum”- these are the phthalates.

Parabens

Parabens are nasty ingredients that act as endocrine disruptors and have been linked to diminished ovarian reserve. In other words, they AGE YOUR EGGS.  They are also linked to male infertility. Meaning, they RUIN YOUR SPERM. They are also linked to breast cancer. Run from these!

Only buy personal care products that state they are “paraben free” and avoid ingredients such as methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, and other ingredients ending in -paraben.

The dangerous toxins in deodorant and how they harm male and female infertility

Triclosan

Triclosan is a gross ingredient in almost all products claiming to be “antibacterial” or “antimicrobial.” It is an endocrine disruptor, linked to decreased thyroid hormones,  and can wreak havoc on your hormone system and your hubby’s sperm quality.

Ingredients to watch out for: triclosan, or triclocarbon. Double check to make sure it isn’t in your toothpaste! 

Diethanolamine & other Ethanolamines

Ethanolamine Compounds like diethanolamine (DEA) and triethanolamine (TEA) are linked to cancer, bioaccumulation (i.e., it stays in your body and builds up), and organ toxicity. Worst, they are shown to really screw up sperm. Unfortunately companies use this in deodorant to manage PH levels.

Ingredients to watch out for: Triethanolamine, diethanolamine, DEA, TEA, cocamide DEA, cocamide MEA, DEA-cetyl phosphate, DEA oleth-3 phosphate, lauramide DEA, linoleamide MEA, myristamide DEA, oleamide DEA, stearamide MEA, TEA-lauryl sulfate

Infographic- Toxins in Deodorant to avoid! Phthalates, Parabens, Triclosan, Aluminum, DEA, oh my!

Other Toxic Ingredients to Avoid in Deodorant

This is a list of other ingredients that are possible unsafe for humans and the planet. I’ve included the first four to make it easy!

  • Aluminum – linked to breast cancer and neurological diseases, though neither link is confirmed
  • FD & C colors – skin irritants, and suspected carcinogens
  • Formaldehyde releasers like quaternium-15, DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea, diazolidinyl urea, polyoxymethylene urea, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol (bromopol) and glyoxal – Carcinogens
  • Fragrance (can contain any of thousands of chemicals and ingredients are not listed individually)- Phthalates are endocrine disruptors toxic to fertility
  • Isobutane – contamination concerns, irritation, organ toxicity
  • Parabens – endocrine disruptors toxic to fertility
  • Propylene glycol – Linked to cancer and reproductive issues
  • Talc (can contain asbestos)
  • Triclosan (or triclocarban)- acts like endocrine disruptor, bad for reproductive system
  • Triethanolamine and diethanolamine (TEA and DEA) – cancer, bioaccumulation, organ system toxicity, sperm damage
  • Petroleum- contamination concerns
Safe deodorant for woman and men during IVF, trying to conceive, FET, and pregnancy
It is easier to baby dance if you aren’t stinky!

Issues with Natural Deodorants

I tried to switch and it didn’t work! – If you tried to switch to a natural deodorant and it didn’t work for you, there might be a couple reasons.

First– it might not have been the right one for you. Just like when you were a teenager and you had to try five of those awful toxic ones before you found your favorite, sometimes you just have to try a bunch of non-toxic ones before you find one that works with your body’s chemistry.

Second– You might need an armpit detox! See below!

Be aware that during pregnancy and after pregnancy your body chemistry/PH can change, and a perfect non-toxic deodorant might not work for you anymore. Pregnancy and post-pregnancy have always been when I’ve had to find a new deodorant.

I’m getting a rash from the baking soda in my natural deodorant! – First, the good news– there are baking soda free deodorants! My favorite is listed below. BUT, if you are getting a rash it might actually be because you need to detox your armpits!! (see below!)

I tried a bunch of natural deodorants and none of them work! – Okay, it might be that your armpits have a bunch of old toxins in them that need to be cleaned out. It’s easy to detox your armpits- and it is helpful to suck out any parabens or aluminum that might be hanging out there!

How to detox your armpits so that natural deodorants work!
Ready to detox your armpits to be less stinky and and clear out all those toxins?

How to Do an Armpit Detox

  1. Stop using toxic deodorant. Use a loofah or washcloth in the shower to exfoliate dead skin and toxins under your arms.
  2. Mix betonite clay (1 tbsp) with apple cider vinegar (2 tbsp) with a wooden spoon and apply to armpits. It should look like a yogurty/hummus consistency paste. If its too thick add a teeny bit of water. PRO-TIP- THIS IS ALSO MY FAVORITE NON-TOXIC FACIAL MASK!!! ALSO great for spider bites, poison ivy, boils, inflamed cysts, ingrown hairs, etc. etc. I always keep a jar of it in the house!
  3. Leave it on for 5-15 minutes. It should not sting or burn, if it does, wash it off.
  4. Wash it off.
  5. Repeat daily, or at least 2-3 times per week. Stop when your skin stops being irritated by the natural deodorant and it starts working!! You’ll know you are good when you aren’t stinky anymore :-).

Our Favorite Non-Toxic Deodorants!

So . . . we’ve tried our fair share of deodorants! And we’ve fallen for some of the “sneaky” “natural” deodorants that still contain things like potassium alum (a safer type of aluminum, but still not great), unspecified natural fragrances (just tell us what they are!!), excessive preservatives (deodorant goes fast, it doesn’t need to last 20 years!), propylene glycol, and others.

But now, we are smarter and wiser.

If you are going to go non-toxic, go non-toxic!! Why play around?

Okay, here are my favorites in order and why I love them. Then I’ll list others that get my thumbs-up!

My current deodorant- Primally Pure Blue Tansy

My favorite non toxic deodorant
I LOVE this deodorant. The blue tansy provides a gentle floral scent that never gets gross as the day goes on (I usually use unscented for that reason). Made from just arrowroot powder, coconut oil, tallow, baking soda, non-nano zinc oxide, clay, and essential oils, it is definitely safe. It’s also the most effective- the combo of the tallow, baking soda, and zinc oxide is what makes it the best I’ve found. The two downsides are that it is not vegan (the tallow is from grass-fed cows), and it is expensive. But they have a subscription model where you can save money! And I have a discount code- ANNA for 10% off! Note: They have several different scents, and an unscented option!

Hubby’s current favorite

My husband's favorite non-toxic deodorant
Hubby’s favorite and current deodorant! The ingredients are the same as above, but with activated coconut charcoal to help detox, deodorize, and disinfect.

Magnesium Deodorant!

An awesome magnesium infused deodorant
If you have read up on anything alternative health related recently you’ll see we are all pretty deficient in magnesium and it is linked to all sorts of ills- including infertility issues! The problem is that it is very hard to absorb magnesium properly, which is why I do a combo of occasional magnesium tea, magnesium lotion at night, and I loved using this magnesium deodorant! They have several different scents, and an unscented.

My first favorite non-toxic deodorant!

A swanky non toxic deodorant
This was the first one I found that REALLY worked! It comes in different scents and is totally lovely! Unfortunately, it stopped working for me after I gave birth to my first child. But I highly recommend this!

Baking-Soda Free Deodorant

Baking Soda Free deodorant with squalene
This squalene and bamboo deodorant is free of baking-soda and toxins. I loved using it and found it very soothing on my skin! The bamboo helps absorb moisture. The best part is that you can find it at Sephora (but don’t breathe all the phthalates when you shop there!!). Please note that squalene made from sharks is not ethical and hurts our oceans’ biodiversity. The squalene in this deodorant is made from sugar-cane, a rapidly renewable resource.

Other Non-Toxic Deodorants

Okay, here’s a long list of safe, non-toxic deodorants! (you’ll be happy to see I included a number of our MLM friends products that are safe to buy– please note that doesn’t mean everything in those lines are safe for fertility!).

  • Burt’s Bees
  • Bella Organics
  • Bioassance
  • Crunchi
  • doTerra
  • EO Organic Deodorant Spray
  • Fat and the Moon
  • Green Tidings
  • Lavinila
  • nFuse Magnesium
  • Nourish Organic
  • Piper Wai Natural (Amazon Favorite)
  • Poofy
  • Primal Pit Paste
  • Primally Pure (Our Favorite)
  • Schmidt’s
  • Soapwalla
  • Young Living

Want more nerdy non-toxic advice for fertility? Come join our facebook group Clean Eating & Green Living for Fertility! And, of course, check out all my non-toxic posts!

Safe, non-toxic deodorant for TTC (Trying to conceive), IVF, and pregnancy
My favorite non-toxic deodorants- I've tried so many, and here are the ones that really work!
Did you know that toxins in conventional deodorants are linked to male and female infertility? Make the switch to non-toxic, like we did, when trying to conceive!

7 Comments

Anna

About Anna

I'm Anna and I beat the odds and got pregnant naturally (twice) after the doctors said it wasn’t possible. I blog about how I did it and encourage my readers to take charge of their fertility journey and get happy, healthy, and pregnant!

« Building a Daily Fertility Practice: What a day looks like when you focus on fertility
How caffeine affects fertility and why you should give it up if TTC- for female and male fertility! »

Comments

  1. AvatarHolly says

    09/02/2019 at 4:07 pm

    Hi Anna! I tried to use your code (ANNA) for primally pure, but it did not work!

    Reply
    • AnnaAnna says

      09/02/2019 at 4:27 pm

      Hi Holly! I just tried and it did work- can you check again? Sorry!!

      Reply
  2. AvatarLAura says

    09/02/2019 at 6:40 pm

    I fortunately been using natural deodorant since I was a teenager thanks to my mom! I tried secret once and got a bad reaction after a few weeks! I’ve been back on the natural deodorant train ever since. I have tried several of those above. People seem to love L’vanilla but it did nothing for me. Primal pit paste Works amazingly well but gave me a rash. My favorite currently is Weleda wild rose 24h deodorant. Weleda has a HUGE product line, all made in Germany. Check it out!

    Reply
    • AnnaAnna says

      09/09/2019 at 7:31 am

      I’m glad you have something you love!!! Weleda does make so many products!!

      Reply
  3. AvatarJessica says

    11/24/2019 at 12:31 pm

    Hi Anna – I noticed that Native isn’t included in this list. I read the ingredients and as far as I can tell they seem ok. Thoughts on native?

    Reply
    • AnnaAnna says

      12/16/2019 at 10:25 am

      HI Jessica! They are phthalate and paraben free which is awesome, it just irks me that they put “fragrance” for their “proprietary blend” of oils. Just list the oils people!! Ain’t no one gonna steal your recipe!! So frustrating when companies do this. But Native is way better than any mainstream deodorants!

      Reply
  4. AvatarKarly says

    11/03/2020 at 11:16 am

    I saw you don’t have Tom’s on the list. I switched to Tom’s unscented a few months ago thinking it was safe. Is it not?

    Reply

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Welcome! I’m so glad you are here :-). I’m Anna and I beat the odds and got pregnant naturally (twice!) after the doctors said it wasn’t possible. I blog about how I did it and encourage my readers to take charge of their fertility journey and get happy, healthy, and pregnant!

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