Aluminum under your arms?

How safe is the aluminum in antiperspirant?

A few years back, I read that aluminum was a dangerous element to absorb. I read that it was linked to loss of memory and possibly some diseases affecting the brain. While in my local Whole Foods Market shortly after, I purchased my first ever aluminum-free deodorant. I can’t remember the brand, but I hadn’t heard of it before, and the scent was lemon based. When I got home, I tucked my “clinical strength” clicky deodorant/antiperspirant away in the linen closet. I tried out my new deodorant for a little over a week, and was confident that, had I been in a library in San Luis Obispo County, California, that I’d be kicked out. Afterall, it’s prohibited in the code of conduct to infringe on others’ rights to use the libray with offensive B.O. (body odor). My clinical strength clicky antiperspirant reentered circulation, and I tucked the lemon deodorant away in the linen closet. Another couple of years passed, and I had a baby. My aluminum inner-struggle was revisited. Now it wasn’t just me who I was affecting with my choices.

I’m going to behold the sea of debate on whether or not your deodorant/antiperspirant causes cancer or Alzheimer’s, and dive in.

Name
Aluminum zirconium and aluminum chloride – typically labeled as “antiperspirant”

Main ingredient in antiperspirant: Aluminum

What it is and what it does
Aluminum is a neurotoxin which is used in antiperspirants. It is absorbed through the skin to prevent wetness and perspiring, therefore not allowing sweat to escape your body.

Aluminum causes neuron degeneration. While it may not be clear whether it causes Alzheimer’s disease, it is clear that it damages neurons. Neuron degeneration leads to Alzheimer’s. Enough said? Studies conclude a relation between Aluminum and Alzheimer’s disease time and time again. This College of Nursing, University of São Paulo at Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil study concluded “Results showed that Al is associated to several neurophysiologic processes that are responsible for the characteristic degeneration of AD.” There is controversy surrounding the fact that shaved underarms absorb aluminum better, due to the broken skin.

What it’s typically in
Antiperspirants/deodorants which contain antiperspirant

Here’s a list of some deodorants-antiperspirants that contain aluminum zirconium. Beware of “clinical” strength antiperspirants. These contain an even higher percentage of aluminum.

The Bottom Line
When so much controversy surrounds an ingredient, and the effects can be devastating, I’m going to err on the alternative side. Why not? And for my daughter, 10 years or so down the road? Definitely aluminum-free.

There are several alternatives, afterall.
You can find aluminum-free alternatives anywhere. Usually, straight up deodorant will be free of aluminum. As I’ve learned, not all straight up deodorants are or work alike, for me anyway. Tom’s Natural Care of Maine (my current choice, thanks for the recommendation, Shaina), contains zinc ricinoleate and hops. I apply this a little more often than my previous aluminum-based “clinical” clicky kind, and am pretty happy with it. Trader Joe’s contains a cotton based ingredient. Adidas Active, Herbal Clear, Tend Skin, Kiss My Face, Terra Naturals and Burt’s Bees are other aluminum-free brands, and you can use a deodorant stone or crystal too. I suggest not throwing in the towel if one doesn’t prevail, just try, try again.