Why You Should Avoid Parabens at All Costs
Do you know what parabens are? If you’re like most people, you probably don’t. But you should because they are everywhere. Parabens are a type of chemical that are used as preservatives in many products, such as cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, foods, and beverages. They help prevent the growth of harmful microorganisms and extend the shelf life of the products.
But what if I told you that parabens are not as harmless as they seem? What if I told you that parabens can have negative effects on your health and the environment? What if I told you that parabens can disrupt your hormones, harm your fertility, irritate your skin, increase your risk of cancer, and damage your hair?
In this blog post, I will tell you the truth about parabens: what they are, why they are bad for you and the planet, and how to avoid them. By the end of this post, you will learn how to protect yourself and your family from the hidden danger of parabens, and how to live a healthier and more natural life.
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What are Parabens?
Parabens are a type of chemical that are used as preservatives in many products, such as cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, foods, and beverages. They help prevent the growth of harmful microorganisms and extend the shelf life of the products. Parabens are derived from para-hydroxybenzoic acid (PHBA), which is naturally found in some plants, such as blueberries and barley. However, most of the parabens used in products are synthetic and made in laboratories.
The most common parabens used in products are methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, isopropylparaben, butylparaben, and isobutylparaben. They are usually listed in the ingredients list of the product, but they may also have other names, such as alkyl parahydroxybenzoates, hydroxybenzoic acid, or E numbers (E214 to E219).
Parabens are widely used in shampoos, conditioners, moisturizers, face and skin cleaners, sunscreens, deodorants, shaving gels, toothpaste, makeup, and many other products. Parabens can also be added to food and drinks for preservation. Typical food products which contain parabens include beer, sauces, desserts, soft drinks, jams, pickles, frozen dairy products, processed vegetables, and flavoring syrups.
Some fruits, such as blueberries and barley, contain parabens as a naturally occurring preservative. However, the amount of parabens in these foods is usually very low and unlikely to cause any harm.
Parabens can enter your body through different routes, such as touching, swallowing, or eating products that contain them. For example, when you apply a lotion or a makeup product that has parabens on your skin, some of the parabens may be absorbed through your skin and enter your bloodstream.
When you eat or drink something that has parabens as an ingredient, such as candy, beer, or sauce, some of the parabens may be ingested and enter your digestive system. Lab studies have detected parabens in nearly all samples taken from adults in the U.S
The Negative Effects of Parabens on Health
As we have seen, parabens are widely used in many personal care products, cosmetics, and some foods and beverages. They have antimicrobial properties that help prevent spoilage and contamination. However, parabens also have some drawbacks that may affect our health.
Although they are rapidly metabolized and eliminated by the body, some parabens may persist in the tissues for years and interfere with various biological processes. In this section, we will examine some of the possible consequences of paraben exposure, such as hormonal imbalance, skin irritation, and cancer development.
Disrupting Hormones
One of the main concerns with parabens is that they can disrupt your hormones, which are chemical messengers that regulate many functions in your body. Parabens can mimic estrogen, the female hormone, and interfere with the normal functioning of the endocrine system, which regulates hormones in your body.
This can lead to hormonal imbalances, which can cause various health problems, such as obesity, diabetes, thyroid disorders, and immune system disorders. For example, a study found that women with higher levels of parabens in their urine had higher body mass index (BMI) and insulin resistance than women with lower levels. The same study also found that females with high levels of butylparaben experienced lower levels of thyroid hormones. Another study found that men with higher levels of parabens in their urine had lower testosterone levels and higher body fat percentages than men with lower levels.
Hormonal imbalances can also affect your mood, behavior, memory, and cognition, and may result in changes in your brain function, changes in cholesterol, high blood sugar, poor immune function, higher risk of obesity, among other health problems.
Harming Fertility
Another concern with parabens is that they can affect fertility and reproductive health in both men and women by altering hormone levels, reducing sperm quality and quantity, damaging DNA, and affecting ovarian function.
For men, parabens can reduce sperm count, motility (movement), morphology (shape), and viability (ability to fertilize an egg). For example, a study found that men with higher levels of parabens in their urine had lower sperm concentration, motility, and morphology than men with lower levels. Another study found that exposure to butylparaben damaged sperm DNA and reduced sperm viability in mice.
For women, parabens can affect ovulation, implantation, and pregnancy outcomes. For example, a study found that women with higher levels of parabens in their urine had shorter menstrual cycles and lower progesterone levels than women with lower levels. Another study found that exposure to methylparaben impaired embryo implantation and reduced litter size in mice.
Parabens can also affect the development of the fetus and the health of the newborn. For example, a study found that exposure to propylparaben during pregnancy increased the risk of preterm birth in women. Another study found that exposure to butylparaben during pregnancy altered the development of the reproductive organs in male offspring rats.
Skin Irritation
Parabens can also cause skin irritation, inflammation, allergies, and dermatitis by penetrating the skin barrier and triggering immune responses. This can lead to redness, itching, swelling, rash, eczema, and contact dermatitis.
Skin irritation can occur in anyone who uses products that contain parabens, but it is more likely to happen in people who have sensitive or damaged skin or pre-existing skin conditions such as psoriasis or eczema. For example, a study found that patients with atopic dermatitis had higher rates of positive patch tests to paraben mix than healthy controls. Another study found that patients with contact dermatitis had higher rates of positive patch tests for methylparaben than healthy controls.
Skin irritation can also worsen over time with repeated exposure to parabens. For example, a case report described a woman who developed severe allergic contact dermatitis after using a moisturizer containing methylparaben for several years. Another case report described a man who developed chronic contact dermatitis after using a shaving gel containing propylparaben for several months.
Breast Cancer
One of the most controversial effects of parabens is their potential link to breast cancer. Parabens can increase the risk of breast cancer by mimicking estrogen and stimulating the growth of breast cells and tumors.
This link was first suggested by a study that found parabens in breast tissue samples from women with breast cancer. Based on the results of this study, the severity of some traditional risk factors of breast cancer in women with malignant and benign tumors are associated with increased exposure to paraben compounds. Since then, several studies have confirmed the presence of parabens in breast tissue samples from women with and without breast cancer.
The link between parabens and breast cancer is still unclear and controversial, as many other factors can influence the development and progression of breast cancer, such as genetics, lifestyle, and environmental exposures. However, some studies have suggested that parabens may have more harmful effects in combination with other chemicals or under certain conditions.
For example, a study found that exposure to a mixture of parabens and aluminum chloride enhanced the growth of breast cancer cells in vitro. Another study found that exposure to methylparaben increased the sensitivity of breast cancer cells to radiation-induced DNA damage in vitro.
Hair Damage
Parabens can also damage your hair by weakening the hair follicles, causing hair loss, dryness, brittleness, and breakage. Parabens can affect your hair by altering the pH balance of your scalp, stripping away natural oils, and disrupting the growth cycle of your hair.
Parabens can also trigger the immune response which can lead to inflammation and irritation of your scalp. This can cause dandruff, flakes, and itching. Parabens can also cause allergic contact dermatitis of your scalp, which can result in redness, swelling, blisters, and hair loss.
Parabens can also affect the color and texture of your hair. Parabens can fade your natural or dyed hair color by removing the pigment from your hair shaft. Parabens can also make your hair dry, brittle, and prone to breakage by reducing the moisture and elasticity of your hair.
The Negative Effects of Parabens on the Environment
Parabens are not only harmful to human health but also to the natural ecosystems that sustain life on Earth. Parabens are water-soluble chemicals that can easily leach into the soil and waterways from the products that contain them. They can also be released into the air through evaporation or aerosolization. Parabens are resistant to biodegradation, which means they do not break down easily in the environment. They can persist for long periods of time and travel long distances through water currents and air currents.
In this section, we will explore how parabens enter the environment, how they affect aquatic organisms, and how they contribute to global environmental issues and plastic pollution.
Contaminating Water Sources
One of the main ways that parabens can affect the environment is by contaminating water sources, such as rivers, lakes, oceans, and groundwater. Parabens can enter water sources through various routes, such as wastewater treatment plants, agricultural runoff, industrial discharge, landfill leachate, and personal care product use.
Parabens can persist in water sources for a long time, as they are resistant to biodegradation and photodegradation. Parabens can also accumulate in sediments and biofilms, which are layers of microorganisms that attach to surfaces in aquatic environments. Parabens can pose a threat to aquatic life and human health by disrupting hormones, affecting reproduction, causing toxicity, and promoting antibiotic resistance.
For example, a study found that parabens were detected in surface water samples from 20 rivers in China at concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 6.8 micrograms per liter. Another study found that parabens were detected in groundwater samples from 11 wells in Spain at concentrations ranging from 0.02 to 0.5 micrograms per liter.
Affecting Soil and Plants
Another way that parabens can affect the environment is by affecting soil and plants. Parabens can enter soil through various routes, such as irrigation water, composting waste, biosolids application, and atmospheric deposition.
Parabens can alter the physical and chemical properties of soil, such as pH, moisture, organic matter, and nutrient availability. Parabens can also affect the biological activity of soil, such as microbial diversity, enzyme activity, and plant growth.
For example, a study found that exposure to methylparaben and propylparaben reduced soil microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen by 18% and 24%, respectively. Another study found that exposure to butylparaben inhibited seed germination and root elongation of lettuce by 50% and 40%, respectively.
Impacting Animals and Ecosystems
A third way that parabens can affect the environment is by impacting animals and ecosystems. Parabens can enter animals through various routes, such as ingestion, inhalation, dermal absorption, or transplacental transfer.
Parabens can affect animals by disrupting hormones, affecting reproduction, causing toxicity, and inducing genetic mutations. Parabens can also affect ecosystems by altering food webs, biodiversity, and ecological functions.
For example, a study found that exposure to methylparaben and propylparaben reduced the survival rate of zebrafish embryos by 40% and 60%, respectively. Another study found that exposure to butylparaben increased the frequency of micronuclei (a sign of DNA damage) in fish erythrocytes (red blood cells) by 2.5 times.
How to Avoid Parabens
As we have seen, parabens can have negative effects on both human health and the environment. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the sources of paraben exposure and take some steps to reduce or eliminate them. In this section, we will provide you with some practical tips and suggestions on how to avoid parabens in your daily life. We will also recommend some alternatives to parabens that are safer and more natural. By following these tips and suggestions, you can protect yourself and the planet from the harmful effects of parabens.
Checking Labels
One of the easiest ways to avoid parabens is to check the labels of the products you buy and look for the names of common parabens, such as methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, isopropyl-paraben, butylparaben, and isobutyl-paraben. These names usually appear in the ingredients list of the product. You should also be aware that some products may use other names for parabens, such as alkyl parahydroxybenzoates, hydroxybenzoic acid, or E numbers (E214 to E219).
You should also be careful with products that claim to be “natural” or “organic”, as they may still contain parabens or other harmful chemicals. You should always read the labels carefully and look for certified organic or natural labels from reputable organizations, such as USDA Organic, ECOCERT, or COSMOS.
Looking for Paraben-Free or Natural Products
Another way to avoid parabens is to look for products that are labeled as “paraben-free” or use natural or organic alternatives. There are many products available in the market that do not contain parabens or use safer preservatives, such as vitamin E, grapefruit seed extract, rosemary extract, or essential oils.
You can find these products in health food stores, online shops, or specialty stores that cater to natural living customers. You can also use a mobile app that can scan the barcode of the product and provide information about its ingredients and safety ratings. Some examples of such apps are Think Dirty, EWG’s Healthy Living, and CosmEthics.
Making Your Products at Home
A third way to avoid parabens is to make your products at home using natural ingredients that you can easily find in your kitchen or garden. This way, you can control what goes into your products and customize them according to your preferences and needs.
You can make your products for personal care, beauty, cleaning, or health purposes using simple recipes and methods that you can find online or in books. Some examples of products that you can make at home are:
- Face wash: You can make your face wash using honey, yogurt, oatmeal, and lemon juice. Honey has antibacterial and moisturizing properties, yogurt has probiotics and lactic acid that exfoliate and nourish the skin, oatmeal has soothing and cleansing properties, and lemon juice has vitamin C and citric acid that brighten and tone the skin.
- Shampoo: You can make your shampoo using baking soda, apple cider vinegar, water, and essential oils. Baking soda has cleansing and deodorizing properties, apple cider vinegar has acidic and antibacterial properties that balance the pH of the scalp and hair, water dilutes the mixture and makes it easier to apply, and essential oils add fragrance and benefits to the hair.
- Deodorant: You can make your deodorant using coconut oil, baking soda, cornstarch, and essential oils. Coconut oil has antibacterial and moisturizing properties, baking soda has deodorizing and neutralizing properties, cornstarch has absorbing and thickening properties, and essential oils add fragrance and benefits to the skin.
Benefits of Avoiding Parabens
By avoiding parabens, you can enjoy many benefits for your health and the environment. Some of these benefits are:
- Improved hormonal balance: By avoiding parabens, you can prevent hormonal imbalances that can cause various health problems, such as obesity, diabetes, thyroid disorders, immune system disorders, mood disorders, memory disorders, etc.
- Enhanced fertility and reproductive health: By avoiding parabens, you can improve your fertility and reproductive health by maintaining normal hormone levels, sperm quality and quantity, DNA integrity, ovarian function, etc.
- Reduced skin irritation: By avoiding parabens, you can reduce skin irritation by preventing allergic reactions
- Lowered risk of cancer: By avoiding parabens, you can lower your risk of cancer by preventing estrogenic stimulation of breast cells and tumors
- Better hair quality: By avoiding parabens, you can improve your hair quality by preventing hair loss, dryness, brittleness, and breakage
- Cleaner water sources: By avoiding parabens, you can reduce the contamination of water sources by preventing the release of parabens into wastewater, runoff, discharge, leachate, etc.
- Healthier soil and plants: By avoiding parabens, you can improve the quality of soil and plants by preventing the alteration of soil properties, microbial activity, and plant growth
- More balanced ecosystems: By avoiding parabens, you can protect the animals and ecosystems by preventing the disruption of hormones, reproduction, toxicity, and genetic mutations
Conclusion
The truth about parabens has been uncovered in this blog post: what they are, why they are bad for you and the planet, and how to avoid them. The effects of parabens on your health have been explained: how they disrupt your hormones, harm your fertility, irritate your skin, increase your risk of cancer, and damage your hair. The effects of parabens on the environment have been explained: how they contaminate water sources, soil, plants, animals, and ecosystems.
By avoiding parabens, you can enjoy many benefits for your health and the environment. You can improve your hormonal balance, enhance your fertility and reproductive health, reduce your skin irritation, lower your risk of cancer, and improve your hair quality. You can also protect the water sources, soil, plants, animals, and ecosystems that sustain life on Earth.
The best way to avoid parabens is to check the labels of the products you buy and look for the names of common parabens or other names that indicate their presence. You can also look for products that are labeled as “paraben-free” or use natural or organic alternatives. You can also make your products at home using natural ingredients that you can easily find in your kitchen or garden.
I hope this blog post has helped you understand more about parabens and their effects on you and the planet. I hope it has also inspired you to take action and make some changes in your lifestyle and product choices. By doing so, you can protect yourself and your family from the hidden danger of parabens, and live a healthier and more natural life.
Thank you for reading this blog post. If you found it useful or interesting, please share it with your friends and family. If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below. I would love to hear from you.
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I’ve recently become more conscious about the products I use and their impact on my health and the environment. I’ve heard the term “parabens” mentioned before, but I don’t know much about them. This article seems to shed light on the potential dangers of parabens and how they can affect both health and the environment.
You mentions that parabens are used as preservatives in various products, but they can have negative effects on hormones, fertility, skin, and even increase the risk of cancer. I’m curious about the alternatives to products containing parabens. The article mentions looking for “paraben-free” labels, but are there any specific natural or organic alternatives that the author recommends for personal care and beauty products?
Also, I wonder how significant the presence of parabens in products really is. Is it something that we should be extremely cautious about and avoid at all costs, or are there certain levels that are considered safe for use?
Thank you, Skamalka, for your comment and your interest in this article. I’m glad that you have become more conscious about the products you use and their impact on your health and the environment. I agree with you that it is important to be aware of the ingredients and chemicals that are present in various products, such as parabens.
You asked about the alternatives to products containing parabens. There are many alternatives in the market, that are safer and more natural than products with parabens. You may find different options depending on the category you are interested in, as there are parabens-free products for hair care, body care, makeup, cosmetics, etc.
I recommend products from “Native” Products, a manufacturer based in the US that makes products using naturally derived vegan ingredients (visit Native Products home page here). I use Native Parabens-free, Aluminum-free Deodorant (visit our product page here). They also offer Body Wash, Hair Care, Sun Protection, Skin Care, and Toothpaste, all with Parabens-free and toxin-free options.
These are just some examples of the alternatives that I use and recommend, but there are many more out there. Other well-known and reputable brands you may explore are Prose, 100% PURE, Sienna Naturals, and DrBrooner’s. You can also use a mobile app that can scan the barcode of the product and provide information about its ingredients and safety ratings. Look at “Think Dirty – Shop Clean”, “OnSkin”, “CosmEthics”, and “EWG’s Healthy Living” in your app store. Honestly, I haven’t tried anyone of these.
You also wondered how significant the presence of parabens in products is. Is it something that we should be extremely cautious about and avoid at all costs, or are there certain levels that are considered safe for use? The answer is not very clear-cut, as different countries have different regulations and standards for parabens in products. For example, in the European Union (EU), some parabens are banned or restricted in cosmetics, while in the United States (US), there are no specific regulations for parabens in cosmetics. However, some experts suggest that the safe level of exposure to parabens is less than 25 micrograms per kilogram of body weight per day. This means that if you weigh 60 kilograms (132 pounds), you should not consume or absorb more than 1.5 milligrams of parabens per day.
However, this safe level may vary depending on individual factors, such as age, gender, health status, genetic variations, enzyme activities, dietary habits, and co-exposure to other chemicals. Therefore, it may be difficult to estimate how much parabens you are exposed to from different sources and products. Moreover, some studies have found that even low doses of parabens may have adverse effects on health.
Parabens are being used in personal care products since the 1950s, and they can also pass from the mother to the unborn baby, so we are exposed to parabens almost all of our life. Because of this, laboratory studies have detected parabens in almost all samples taken from adults in the US.
Therefore, based on these facts, I believe that it is wise to follow the advice of this blog post and avoid parabens at all costs. Parabens are not worth the risk to your health and the environment.
I hope this reply was helpful for you and that you will try some alternatives or find your own. If you have any questions or comments, please reply or contact me through my blog. Thank you for reading and have a great day!
This blog post is incredibly informative and eye-opening! I had no idea about the potential negative effects of parabens on our health and the environment. It’s concerning to think that these chemicals, which are found in so many everyday products, can disrupt our hormones and increase the risk of various health issues. I appreciate the detailed explanation of how parabens can enter our bodies and the different routes of exposure. The examples and studies provided really drive home the importance of being aware of the products we use. Thank you for shedding light on this topic! I’m curious, are there any specific alternatives or natural alternatives to products that contain parabens that you would recommend?
Thank you, Alice, for your kind words and positive feedback! I’m glad that you found this blog post informative and eye-opening. I agree with you that it is concerning to think that parabens, which are widely used in personal care products, can have negative effects on our health and the environment. I appreciate that you took the time to read the detailed explanation of how parabens can enter our bodies and the different routes of exposure. I hope that this blog post has helped you become more aware of the products we use and the ingredients they contain.
There are many alternatives in the market, that are safer and more natural than products with parabens. You may find different options depending on the category you are interested in as there are products for hair care, body care, makeup, cosmetics, etc.
I personally use and recommend a Parabens-free, Aluminum-free Deodorant from “Native Products” which are made of naturally derived vegan ingredients (visit our product page here). “Native” also offers Body Wash, Hair Care, Sun Protection, Skin Care, and Toothpaste, all with Parabens-free options. You can visit the Native website here.
These are just some examples of the alternatives that I use and recommend, but there are many more out there. Other well known and reputable brands you may explore are Prose, 100% PURE, Sienna Naturals, and DrBrooner’s.
You can also use a mobile app that can scan the barcode of the product and provide information about its ingredients and safety ratings. Look at “Think Dirty – Shop Clean”, “OnSkin”, “CosmEthics”, and “EWG’s Healthy Living” in your app store. Honestly, I haven’t tried anyone of these.
You may be also interested in discovering other Toxic Ingredients in Cosmetics.
I hope this reply was helpful for you. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to reply or contact me through my blog. Thank you for reading and have a great day!
What a fascinating article. I have an urge to go through my house checking the ingredients in all my cosmetics and toiletries. I think it is important we all stop to review what we are eating, as well as what we are putting onto our bodies. I loved the examples of what is possible to make at home – in fact I’m going to try to make the face wash tonight. Thank you so much
Thank you, Jessica, for your comment and for your interest in this article. I’m happy that you found it fascinating and that you have the urge to go through your house checking the ingredients in all your cosmetics and toiletries. I agree with you that it is important that we all stop to review what we are eating, as well as what we are putting into our bodies.
Thank you so much for reading and for sharing your thoughts. I hope this article has inspired you to try some alternatives or find your own. If you have any questions or comments, please reply or contact me through my blog. Have a great day!
The article discusses the adverse effects of parabens on health and the environment. It states that parabens can cause hormone disruption, fertility issues, allergies, obesity, and cancer. However, research on the effects of parabens on humans is limited to animal and cell studies. Further research is needed on the impact of parabens on humans to confirm the long-term effects of use. To avoid parabens, you can read the product’s ingredients list before purchasing it.
Thank you, Liam, for your comment and for your interest in this article. I appreciate that you have read the article and that you have raised some valid points about the research on the effects of parabens on humans. You are right that most of the studies on parabens are based on animal and cell models, and that further research is needed to confirm the long-term effects of parabens on humans. However, I would like to point out some facts that may make you reconsider your stance on parabens.
First of all, while it is true that animal and cell studies are not the same as human studies, they can still provide valuable insights into the potential mechanisms and risks of parabens. Animal and cell studies can help identify the possible effects of parabens on different organs, tissues, and systems, as well as the dose-response relationships and interactions with other chemicals. Animal and cell studies can also help generate hypotheses and inform future human studies.
Secondly, although human studies on parabens are limited, there are some existing studies that suggest that parabens may have negative effects on human health. For example, some studies have found that parabens can be detected in human urine, blood, breast tissue, placenta, and umbilical cord blood, indicating that parabens can enter and accumulate in the human body. Some studies have also found associations between paraben exposure and health outcomes, such as decreased sperm quality, increased risk of breast cancer, altered thyroid function, and increased body weight.
Therefore, based on these facts, I believe that it is better to be cautious and avoid or limit the use of products that contain parabens.
The intention of this blog is to provide information to readers that they may be unaware of and that allows them to investigate more deeply and make personal decisions that allow them to prevent health risks and improve their well-being. I hope this article has inspired you to try some alternatives or find your own.
If you have any questions or comments, please reply or contact me through my blog.
Thank you for reading and have a great day!
Hello Pablo! I just finished reading your article Why You Should Avoid Parabens At All Costs. And I really enjoyed reading your article. I loved how you highlighted why it’s important to avoid parabens and the way that we can combat them in our everyday lives.
Your suggestions for making your own cosmetics, cleaning supplies, and hygiene products at home that are natural and free of parabens, are very helpful.
And I had no idea until reading your article that there are so many products that do in fact contain parabens. I knew hair shampoo, and some other hygiene products contained them, but, I didn’t know that a lot of processed food products and sauces also contain them as well.
I do have one question after reading your article though. Are the natural alternatives that one might make at home as effective as store-bought products that contain parabens?
I only ask because I’ve never made my own cosmetics or hygiene products at home before. And I’d be interested in knowing whether or not I did, would they work just as well?
For example, if you made your own natural deodorant at home, is a mixture of coconut oil, baking soda, cornstarch, and essential oils just as effective in combatting under-arm odor.
Or would a store-bought natural product that contains no parabens be more effective? I just wondered, as someone who has never really stopped to think about parabens before, until now.
This article was very interesting to read!
Thank you, Cal, for your comment and for your interest in this article. I’m happy that you enjoyed reading it. I’m glad that you found my suggestions for making your own cosmetics, cleaning supplies, and hygiene products at home that are natural and free of parabens, very helpful. Making your own products can be a fun and rewarding way to avoid parabens and other harmful chemicals, and to customize them to your preferences and needs.
Natural alternatives that one might make at home can be as effective or even more effective than store-bought products that contain parabens, This may depend on several factors, such as the quality of the ingredients, the method of preparation, the storage conditions, and the personal preferences of the user.
For example, if you made your own natural deodorant at home using coconut oil, baking soda, cornstarch, and essential oils, it can be very effective in combatting underarm odor. Coconut oil has antibacterial and moisturizing properties that can help prevent odor-causing bacteria from growing on your skin. Baking soda has deodorizing and neutralizing properties that can help absorb sweat and eliminate odor. Cornstarch has absorbing and soothing properties that can help keep your skin dry and smooth. Essential oils have aromatic and therapeutic properties that can help add fragrance and benefit your skin.
However, homemade deodorant may not work as well as store-bought deodorant right away, as your body may need some time to adjust to the new product. Also, some people may find that homemade deodorant may cause irritation or sensitivity. This may be because they have different skin types or conditions, or they are allergic or sensitive to some of the ingredients. In that case, they may need to adjust the proportions of the ingredients or use different ones to suit their needs. They may also need to store their homemade deodorant in a cool and dry place to prevent it from melting or spoiling.
Alternatively, you may opt for a store-bought natural product that contains no parabens or other harmful chemicals. I personally use this Native Deodorant that is Aluminum-free and Parabens-free. There are many other brands that offer natural and organic deodorants that are gentle on the skin and effective in preventing odor. For example Schmidt’s deodorant (this is a deodorant that is vegan and cruelty-free, and it has no parabens, aluminum, phthalates, or artificial fragrances), Lavanila deodorant (this is a deodorant that is made with natural ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, baking soda, and essential oils. It has no parabens, aluminum, sulfates, or synthetic dyes).
I hope this reply was helpful for you. If you have any questions or comments, please reply or contact me through my blog. Thank you for reading and have a great day!