Organic, Aluminum-Free Deodorants & Breast Health

I made a vow this spring to stop using deodorant. Now before you cry "Eeeeuuww!" and recoil in horror, let me clarify: I made a vow to stop using aluminum-laden, chemically endowed deodorants. In seeing more and more research that points towards such compounds as contributors to breast disease and Alzheimers-like dementia, I gave up cooking in aluminum years ago. So this additional step is the least I can do to preserve my health. The following is how to go organic successfully, if you have such concerns as well...

When I first started trying to use organic deodorants back in the 1980's, they were wimpy roll-on concoctions made of vegetable glycerine, distilled water and a drop or two of lavender, lemon, coriander or sage oil. As a large woman, I didn't get enough airflow under my arms to help the weak compounds out by keeping the underarm dry. Worked just long enough for me to get out the door and in the office before quitting utterly.

I gave up until the mid-90's when organics began producing stick deodorants that included exotic ingredients like French Clay, Tea Tree oil, green tea, and that Crystal Rock thingie that you had to wet and scrub your pits with. All effective-looking substances. Key word: effective looking. Still not effective and jumpin' jimminy, I must have tried twenty or more. Cue early 2000's with the new addition of Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE) and the reformulation of the Crystal Stone deodorant into an easy to apply spray. Still no play.

This summer though, after a third girlfriend in my age group was diagnosed with breast cancer, I decided there was no longer any putting it off. I had to wean my addiction to aluminum-based deodorants completely. I also had the brilliant idea to layer several organic deodorants and see if that worked better. The nice girl in the personal care section of my local Whole Foods Market bubbled effusively about the all-new deodorants that were propylene-glycol-free and contained enzymes that gobbled up those nasty, odor-causing bacteria. I bought and tried one: Alba Botanica's Clear Enzyme Deodorant Stick in Lavender with "baking soda and alpine lichen".

Said alpine lichen, usnea barbata, is also called "old man's beard", and according to OpinionSoup.com is: "...applied topically for bacterial skin conditions, jock itch, athlete's foot, vaginal infections, candida, and ringworm. Internally, it treats infections of the urinary and upper respiratory tracts (including strep throat), as well as common colds, flu and bronchitis."

Gosh, it sounds like something every family should have some growing in their back yard, ready to fight off infection in a single blow. It's also Spanish moss - you know, that stuff that hangs in festoons off of trees in swamps (see picture). And it like it's predecessors, worked for about four hours, tops. The girl in the Whole Foods also issued a caveat on using usnea-laden deodorants - she said you could only use them a certain time before they quit on you entirely. Apparently the body builds up a resistance and you have to switch after one stick.

Well, thanks.

It was about this time I came up with the layering idea, purchased several more deodorants to do a really adequate cross-test and came up with a winning combination. The champion mix includes four deodorants and a specific application process. Trust me, I've experimented with all different possible combinations. This works for OVER 24 HOUR PROTECTION, even through a gym workout:

1) Apply a light coat of "Naturally Fresh Deodorant Crystal" Spray Mist. This is a fine mist that never drips, thankfully, and dissolves the subsequent sticks into itself nicely.

2) Stroke on the aforementioned Alba Botanicals Lavender (I love the scent)

3) Lightly dab your armpits with a towel if over-moist at this point, then apply Earth Science brand Natural Deodorant in Tea Tree/Lavender. This stick smells a bit medicinal due to the Tea Tree and Earth Science regrettably uses propylene glycol, which has been implicated in negative health effects. Hopefully they'll take heed of the letter I've sent them and like other organic companies, find a more natural solution. ;-) This stick is essential to the mix though, and I figure it's worth the tiny risk.

4) Finally, stroke on Kiss My Face brand "Liquid Rock" roll-on. It's another "crystal rock" type with usnea. My preference is for their "Summer/Été" fragrance - smells very clean and feminine. Dab your armpits lightly again, and apply a cornstarch based baby powder as armpits will remain tacky to the touch.

Sounds like a lot of work but I have it down to a two minute regimen in the morning. And there are enough other deodorants on the market that if one of my usnea-based mixtures suddenly craps out, I'll be able to switch out. Is it worth it? In the long run, I hope so. At any rate, I'll not have any aluminum in my body I don't know the origin of. The buck, and the aluminum use, stops here.  I do not intend to have breast cancer nor dementia. If you really want to punch home the benefits, undertake a course of chelation therapy to remove metals from the body.

More on Energy Therapy for Breast Health in the coming week: stay tuned!