Posted on May 8, 2010 - by Leslie Billera

Don’t Sweat the Sweat Stuff

Aluminum, the key ingredient in most commercial antiperspirants, prevents moisture by blocking your sweat glands.

From an environmental perspective, aluminum mining is destructive, resource-intensive and polluting. Opting out of using aluminum-based chemical compounds is an earth-friendly decision.

Health-wise, aluminum could use some P.R. love. It’s commonly believed that antiperspirant neurotoxins, including aluminum, are linked to breast cancer; The National Cancer Institute finds the link to be inconclusive. Additionally, aluminum has also been tied to kidney disease, backed up by the Food and Drug Administration’s demand that antiperspirants carry a warning label recommending that consumers with existing kidney disease consult with a doctor before using the product. Now that makes me sweat.

Common Scents

On the other hand, smelling bad is simply – if you’ll excuse the pun – the pits. Try these solutions for healthier, less-toxic perspiration care:

• Use deodorant only: deodorant, when not combined with antiperspirant, is always aluminum free.
• Vet any deodorant you choose: “Natural” brands are your best bet, but turn to the expert advice found in the Cosmetics Safety Database for health hazard levels of many brand names.
• Drink lots of water and eat a healthy diet: This is always good advice, but particularly important if you find your sweat is excessively funky.
• DIY! Mix one part baking soda with six parts cornstarch and apply with a cotton ball or pad (via DYI Life)
• Don’t sweat it: If you find that natural deodorants aren’t enough, the aluminum-tinged type isn’t going to do any immediate damage. Counter it by buying toxin-free soap, shampoo, toothpaste, lotions and other commonly used bath and body products.

Let us know what works for you, here!