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Staying dry and fresh under the arms is a must for all of us, especially for those Sahelis who work hard and play hard.
But over the past years, deodorants containing chemicals like aluminum and parabens have increasingly been singled out as harmful to women for having links to the development of breast cancer.
Basically, these chemicals can be absorbed by the skin and stored in the body before starting to affect the hormonal system by imitating estrogen that causes cell growth, which can potentially lead to cancer.
It is not always easy to know what is right and what is wrong in the organic versus conventional cosmetics jungle as studies are often contradictory and researchers sometimes at odds.
The advantage of natural or organic deodorants is that they don’t include harsh chemicals that can cause the development of breast cancer. But the difficulty lies in finding a natural deodorant that actually works! Most of them are so natural that they don’t absorb sweat or eliminate odors effectively.
So for those who are curious to try an alternative antiperspirant that won’t leave you disappointed, CitySaheli has tried different natural options available in New York City stores and here’s what we found:
While natural antiperspirants like Nature’s Gate’s Organic Fruit Blend, Crystal Body Deodorant Stick and Tom’s Herbal Deodorant contain no aluminum and no parabens – and work perfectly well as fresheners during the day or a late night out – we found they don’t last a full 12 hours.
However, the following natural deodorants contain no harsh chemicals and we found are long lasting!
Weleda Wild Rose Deodorant
Weleda’s Wild Rose non-aerosol spray deodorant does not only smell lovely, it is easy to apply, it dries very fast and it lasts the whole day! With this convenient bottle, no need to bring a deodorant to work and worry about sweat stains after a long day of meetings. The pleasant spray contains rose leaf extract which is known for its astringent qualities and cleansing properties. It promises to neutralize odors all the while freshening your armpits, making them smell like roses! You can find Weleda Wild Rose Deodorant at Wholefoods or online for approximately $16.
Lush T’eo Deodorant
Lush’s T’eo Deodorant contains no aluminum, no parabens, no preservatives and no propellants. It does contain sodium bicarbonate and anti-microbial essential oils that absorb sweat and keeps you fresh throughout the day. This dry deodorant bar has the disadvantage of emitting a powder when you apply it, which easily spreads to the floor and sometimes to your clothes, but it’s well worth the hassle because it only costs about $8 and it lasts all day! The tea tree, lemon and juniperberry take care of the odors and the baking soda deals with the sweat. Make sure to keep the deodorant bar in a dry place and not in your bathroom, as it becomes moist and thus useless when in contact with condensed water or shower steam.
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