Ok, so I'm confused. I've always been happy with my anti-perspirant deodorant that I've used for years. At different points people have said you shouldn't use anti-perspirant, but I always thought, "well, it works for me". Now after reading Living Green and talking to some of you, I'm re-thinking it all.
I've been on-line about an hour looking at the pros and cons of anti-perspirant.
The cons say:
Avoid aluminum, parabens, and triclosan. And warn of breast cancer,and a link to Alzheimer's.
The pros say:
It's an urban myth propagated by one study who's findings were never validated and passed along through email.
My conclusion for now:
I don't want to be a "green sucker" and give up a product I like for no good reason. What I read on Ideal Bite (I love them) on this subject made the most sense to me. Probably less chemicals is best. And the natural deodorant I happened to pick is the one Jen swears by. (Not this Jen so far though! I'm on my second day and I am very self conscious of my smell. Calvin thinks I smell good, but I don't know...) So anyway, I'll give it a go for a few weeks if I can stand it, and make a decision.
I've heard that when you are newly off anti perspirant your body is detoxing? So it gets better after a couple weeks?
10 comments:
Yes, detoxing or something like that. Dan read in one of his men's mag's that if you start to notice that your deo/anti-perspirant is no longer working, than it means your body has gotten used to it or something like that, and it's time to change brands or something to that matter.
I just got a natural deodorant a couple days ago and so far, so good :)
Although I haven't always followed this, I've always thought this about things we put in/on our body: we shouldn't be using things that prevent our body from doing what God/evolution designed our body to do! We sweat for a good biological reason. That's just something I've always thought and try to follow for the most part (with the exception of headaches and cramps, that's not worth it! Bring on the drugs!)
Another reason to maybe go natural with products is these companies tend to follow eco-friendly practices, so these "bad" ingredients aren't there to end up in our waterways and the packaging tends to be recycled and/or recycleable.
That said, we have to be happy and comfortable. I'm sure I'll come across a natural product that just doesn't fly with me and I will go the conventional route :)
What brand Erica?
Well I'll probably be the odd ball on this one and maybe even get a little flack but oh well.
I actually use a prescription strength antiperspirant and have been for about 2 years now. I too thought about the whole "we sweat for a reason" thing and decided, for me that sweating as much as I do (in one armpit, none the less) is just not worth it. Constant pit checks, embarrassment, shyness and ruining perfectly good shirts was just not worth it to me. I would actually try and keep my arms down with everything I do. This does not mesh well with many of the social anxiety issues I deal with on a daily basis either.
For some reason I just have overactive sweat glands on one side (TMI probably). Maybe I was supposed to be this way and let it flow, or maybe something went a little awry. Either way I am a happier person now that I don't feel so embarrassed all the time. And I can actually wear shirts with sleeves instead of tank tops all year.
Just thought I'd share a bit from the other end of the spectrum. I'm not saying you have to agree with me at all, you may still feel like antiperspirant isn't worth the reasons I listed for myself, and thats totally fine! In this quest for greenness, there will always be things that we won't or can't give up.
I got the Tom's of Maine brand, mostly because it was on sale at Oliver's and I was in a hurry :)
Oh, and I doubt you'll be getting any flack, Sarah :) Like I said, we have to be happy and comfortable too!
Yea, you guys are to nice for flack. But I wouldn't take it personally if people didn't agree or think I am doing something "wrong". Unless you've packed 2 extra shirts in your backpack for mid day changes, or put mini-pads in your sleeves to help absorb, then you its hard to convince me to change.
I had made a post on this in my early days on the blog. I made the switch in 2000 after hearing from various sources (not just "green") about the hazards of aluminum. These reports were also talking of aluminum in cookware. Anyway, with my mom being a breast cancer survivor and my own problems in that area, I thought better safe than sorry. I was also having blocked duct issues, which further prompted the switch.
I have tried Tom's, but the scents I tried didn't mesh well with my body chemistry. I now use Herbally Clear Sport. It's been good to me so far. As with anything, I have my "off" days now and then. I try to keep good smelling wipes handy for those times I need freshening up.
My de-tox took a couple of weeks... and I started in the summer, no less!
And I agree with Erica on her points of being good to your body, but also to your soul. So Sarah, do what you need to do to feel good. I don't believe any of us are here to judge, only to share ideas and experiences.
I know you guys wouldn't judge!! Just giving my .02 cents, although I may have come across a little defensive...
On a related note, why is it so flippin' hot?? Its gonna be a long summer! Thank goodness for iced 'bucks.
It's always so exciting to check the blog and see there are comments to my post, and 9! Wow, now 10! Yup, we all need to do what feels (and smells) right. :) Thanks for the feedback.
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