Non-Toxic Deodorant Safe for Fertility & Pregnancy

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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!

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.

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

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

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 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!

Primally Pure

Hubby’s current favorite

Beautycounter Clean Deo

Magnesium Deodorant!

My first favorite non-toxic deodorant!

Baking-Soda Free Deodorant

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!