Okay, let’s face it, we all sweat. Some sweat more than others. Some find body odor more offensive than others. Some bodies smell worse than others. There I said it. Ice broken. But, why do I feel compelled to write about this? There’s anti-perspirant (keeps you from sweating) and there’s deodorant (covers the smell). You put it on before you get dressed. You don’t stink. Nobody’s offended. It’s a non-issue, right? Wrong.

Over the past several years I’ve heard the rumors that anti-perspirant is linked to breast cancer. I’ve heard the rumor mill among girlfriends. I’ve read the tales online and in print publications. I’ve heard the problem comes from the aluminum interacting with lymph glands, which are right by the armpit. I’ve heard that the paraben clogs the pores and causes cancer. I’ve heard that none of these problems happen if you don’t shave. I’ve heard it’s a non-issue if you shave and then wait several hours before applying anti-perspirant. I’ve heard that only anti-perspirant causes the problem but deodorant doesn’t. I’ll catch a news report on TV that says a new study has validated the link. Then, I’ll read another article that turns that study on its head. Really, it seems that the jury is out on what’s what. Even the National Cancer Institute seems to agree that the answer isn’t firm (see report here).

A few years ago I got myself pretty well scared about this issue. I know far too many women who are survivors as well as victims of breast cancer. So, I decided to toss out all of my anti-perspirants and give the “natural deodorants” a try. And, I’ve tried many of them. I’ve also reached the age where mammograms are a part of my own breast health. Having had a bit of a scare setting my baseline several weeks ago, I’ve decided it’s worth doing anything to avoid this disease & sharing my thoughts & experiences with others. Switching out the foods that I put into my body, increasing my exercise, and eating more healthy are part of what I do to take care of myself. Not using aluminum-paraben-filled antiperspirants is just one more thing I’m doing to keep healthy.

I will be honest. I keep one container of Suave 24-hour invisible aluminum-paraben antiperspirant around for events like weddings that call for fine silk dresses. I also put chemicals on my head when I have my hair colored. I’m not perfect, and I know it.

So, what can I say about my experience using these new “natural” products. My first reaction was — this crap doesn’t work at all! My second thought — maybe I need to slow down and give it a chance.

When I first made the switch, I didn’t exercise as much as I do now. I honestly believe that my body retained many more toxins then than it does now. I sweat in yoga. I twist and squeeze out my organs in yoga. I believe my body stays cleaner this way. I believe this contributes to why these products work pretty well for me these days.

I also believe that there’s a reason our bodies sweat — and its not just to stay cool. We release toxins this way. We should sweat, and I’m sorry if sweat is stinky. It’s a toxin release for goodness sakes; who would expect any body waste to smell “powder fresh”?

When I first made the switch, my body was used to having “powerful 24-hour sweat-fighting protection”. When I changed, I had to adapt. The longer I’ve used the “natural” products, the less of them I need. When I first started, I’d keep a second container in my purse for “emergencies”. Now I rarely need to do this. (The hottest summer days being the exception to this ”rule”.)  I believe my body adapted to the new products and functions well with them.

So, I use less product, less often. Nobody has complained that I smell like something the dog dragged in, but maybe they’re just being nice. (Oh yes, some of you know me. I know I just opened myself up to a barrage of self-improvement comments. Bring’m on!)

Now, I’ve tried quite a few of the “natural” products, and some don’t work for me. Some work in the winter but not in the hot summer. Here’s my low-down if you want to give natural deodorants a shot & put your antiperspirants aside.

  1. Expect it will take a few weeks for your body to adapt. Once it does, you may find that you have less body odor than it seemed back in the days of using the heavy duty products.
  2. Don’t expect the first product you try to be the one for you, but give each one at least a week or two before you give up. Keep that second container on hand “just in case”.
  3. Your body’s reaction to the products will probably be different in hot weather than in cold weather
  4. Each woman’s body may respond differently during different days of her cycle
  5. Avoid wearing man-made fibers. Polyester and blends tend to convert any odor into something malodorous & they hold onto the smell.

Products I’ve tried and my response to them:

  • Avalon Organic Botanicals Therapeutic Lemon Verbena Roll on deodorant: Smells great. Takes forever to dry. Doesn’t work for more than an hour or so for me.
  • Jason Woman Wise Wild Yam Deodorant for Women: Feels refreshing to put on. Supposed to give PMS and Menopause comfort. I don’t know about that, but it does work pretty well. I just can’t find it on the shelves anymore.
  • Jason Naturally Fresh Deodorant for Women (Unscented): Doesn’t work at all
  • Jason Lavender scented Deodorant: Works Great. Probably my current favorite on the market.
  • Alba Botanicals Clear Enzyme Lavender Scent: Seems to work okay, but I don’t like the tacky feeling if I do work up a sweat. Causes friction.
  • Toms of Maine (any): They don’t work for me. They do seem to work for my husband though.
  • Deodorant crystals: I can’t give these a fair shake. I haven’t tried them other than to try one my mom used years ago. I succeeded in cutting myself with the rock and never went back.

I hope that others will chime in on this, esp. if you know anything definitive about the question of anti-perspirant linking to breast cancer.

Smell ya’ later!