Lymph nodes filter out harmful substances and waste products from your blood stream and inside lymph nodes are different types of immune system cells that fight infection.

They are important in keeping our bodies free of harmful substances and yet we place harmful substances directly on the lymph nodes under our armpits.

Deodorants go directly onto your lymph nodes.  So what’s in your deodorant?

NOTE: Hazard ratings are (low danger) 1 – 10 (high danger)

INGREDIENTS: Alcohol denatured, propylene glycol, sodium stearate, water, fragrance, tetrasodium EDTA, yellow 10, green 5

Let’s explore this:

Propylene glycol [hazard rating 3] allergies/immunotoxicity {adverse effects on the functioning of both local and systemic immune systems}: one of the most chemicals used in cosmetics and personal care products, and also used in antifreeze (as well as in foods). Is a skin sensitizer, provokes allergic reactions in patients with eczema, causes contact dermatitis, irritation of nasal and respiratory passages, itching, burning, scaling, hives, blistering of the skin, alters skin structure and if ingested can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Allows other chemicals to penetrate deeper into the skin, increasing the amounts of other chemicals that reach the bloodstream.

Sodium stearate [hazard rating 1] (sodium salt of stearic acid): suspected environmental toxin, potentially low toxin or harmful to human health.

Tetrasodium EDTA [hazard rating 2]: penetration enhancer.

INGREDIENTS: propylene glycol, water, sodium sterate, poloxamer 1307, triclosan, fragrance, aminomethyl propanol, colours.

Let’s explore this:

Poloxamer 1307 [hazard rating 2]: used as surfactants, emulsifying agents, solubilizing agent, dispersing agents, and as absorbance enhancers. Expected to be toxic or harmful, medium human health priority, suspected environmental toxin.

Triclosan [hazard rating 7]: known irritant, environmental toxin, bioaccumulative, endocrine disruption, affects thyroid hormone, negatively affects immune function.

Aminomethyl propanol [hazard rating 3]: synthetic pH adjuster , known irritant, doesn’t get into deeper layers of skin/body, considered safe if used 2% or less.

INGREDIENTS: water, aluminum chlorohydrate, steareth-2, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, fragrance, steareth-20, silica dimethyl silylate, disodium EDTA, pentaerythrityl teta-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate.

Let’s explore this:

Aluminum chlorohydrate [hazard rating 3]: relationship between use of antiperspirant product use, breast cancer risk, and aluminum concentration in breast tissue in women.

Steareth-2 & 20 [hazard rating 3]: emulsifier – blends oils & water, non-reproductive organ system toxicity (low).

Silica dimethyl silylate [hazard rating 1]: light weight special grade of silica, adds slip to product.

Disodium EDTA [hazard rating 1]: a water soluble acid that is a strong emulsion stabilizer, enhanced skin absorption (of other ingredients). Contamination – may contain dangerous levels of ethylene oxide and or dixane, both potent toxins.

Pentaerythrityl teta-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydro-cinnamate [hazard rating 1]: synthetic, odorless antioxidant, stabilizer, protects products properties and performance as it’s exposed to air, moderate bioaccumulation,

INGREDIENTS: Elaeis guineensis kernel oil, aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex GLY, stearyl alcohol, cyclomethicone, c12-15 alkyl benzoate, PPG-14 butyl ether, hydrogenated caster oil, hydrogenated soybean oil, PEG-8 distearate, parfum, behenyl alcohol, citric acid, pentaerithrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate, benzyl salicylate, geraniol.

Let’s explore this:

Elaeis guineensis kernel oil: palm oil.

aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex GLY [hazard rating 4]: banned or found unsafe for use in cosmetics, restricted in some countries, relationship between use of antiperspirant product use, breast cancer risk, and aluminum concentration in breast tissue in women.

Cyclomethicone [hazard rating 6]: disrupts hormones and interferes with ovulation, endocrine disrupting, bioaccumulative and moderate to high toxicity concern in humans, developmental and reproductive toxin, persistent, bioaccumulate and toxic to aquatic organisms, toxic to the liver.

C12-15 alkyl benzoate [hazard rating 1]: benzoic acid.

PPG-14 butyl ether [hazard rating 1]: polypropylene glycol ether of butyl alcohol.

PEG-8 distearate [hazard rating 3]: polymers of ethylene glycol, low non-reproductive organ system toxicity.

Benzyl salicylate [hazard rating 5]: associated with allergies and contact dermatitis, known immune system toxicant or allergen, demonstrated estrogenic activity by increasing the proliferation of breast cancer cells in vitro.

INGREDIENTS: water, potassium alum, aloe vera juice, hydroxyethylcellulose, natural benzoic acid, parfum, PEG-40 hydrogenated caster oil.

Hydroxyethylcellulose [hazard rating 1]:  a water-soluble polymer derived from cellulose, not expected to be potentially toxic or harmful.

Natural benzoic acid [hazard rating 3]: unlikely to be carcinogenic in humans, may cause a skin allergy, can cause itching and a skin rash.

PEG-40 hydrogenated caster oil [hazard rating 1]: surfactant, solubilizer, emulsifier. PEG = polyethylene glycol: potential carcinogen, petroleum ingredient that reduces the skin’s natural moisture, increases the appearance of aging.

INGREDIENTS: cera alba (phasing out – will be changed to hydrogenated soybean oil), cocos nucifera, theobroma cacao, sodium bicarbonate + a (secret) blend of essential oils.

All above ingredients have a hazard rating of 1. Low hazard to human health. Non environmental toxin, non bioaccumulative. Ingredients used have no need for animal testing because they safe and gentle on skin and are not known skin irritants or bio-hazards.

When talking about hazard ratings of ingredients, these ratings refer to the toxicity of the ingredient and are usually used in skin care products in quantities that are deemed low enough to be safe. Those ingredients are still bio-hazards and the quantities used/manufactured ALL ADD to the pollution of our environment.  This does not account for accumulation of ingredients on your skin and in your body over time (years of use), plus mixing products and adding to your ingredient load and the fact that ‘low dose’ doesn’t mean ‘safe’ over all… just potentially safe.

This is why some people present with skin irritations when using some products. The ingredients, while considered low in dose, still have adverse reactions on people with sensitive skin, and can cause overexposure for others over time.

Out of the above deodorants which ones would you use and which one’s would you avoid? Grab your current deodorant and compare it to the one’s listed above. Does it pass the hazard rating test? Would you give it to your child to use? Is it bad for the environment and tested on animals???

Does People Friendly, Animal Friendly, Earth Friendly matter to you?