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Is Antiperspirant Bad for You? Debunking Myths.
Deodorants and antiperspirants have been a trending topic in recent years, with debates surrounding their effectiveness and which type is better for your health. You’ve probably heard the rumors that certain chemicals in deodorants and antiperspirants could lead to breast cancer, kidney diseases, or allergies. But is it truth or speculation? Let’s start from the beginning.
How Do Antiperspirants Work?
Even though antiperspirants and deodorants both help avoid body odor, they work in very different ways. Antiperspirants reduce sweat by forming a plug at the surface of your sweat ducts and keeping the sweat from reaching your skin, while deodorants let your sweat flow naturally but fight the bacteria present on your skin that come in contact with your sweat making your armpits smell bad.
Should I Be Concerned About Aluminum in Antiperspirants
Aluminum is the key active ingredient in antiperspirants because it temporarily blocks sweat pores. Some researchers have suggested that aluminum compounds in antiperspirants may be absorbed by the skin and affect estrogen receptors in breast cells, potentially increasing the risk of breast cancer. However, studies have found that only a small fraction of aluminum is absorbed through the skin, and breast cancer tissue does not contain higher levels of aluminum compared to normal breast tissue. Therefore, there is currently no clear evidence linking antiperspirants containing aluminum to breast cancer development.
Antiperspirants and Breast Cancer Risk
According to the American Cancer Society, there is limited scientific evidence linking antiperspirant use to breast cancer risk. Most studies, including large-scale case-control studies, have not found a significant association between antiperspirant use, deodorant use, or underarm shaving, and breast cancer risk. These studies can be challenging to interpret due to reliance on individuals' memories and potential recall bias among cancer patients. Overall, there is no strong epidemiologic evidence supporting the claim that antiperspirant use increases the risk of breast cancer.
Benefits of Aluminum-Free Deodorant
A great option for avoiding body odor without interfering with your body's natural sweating process, which has many benefits such as releasing toxins and regulating body temperature, are aluminum-free natural deodorants. They are usually less likely to cause skin irritation because they don’t include harsh chemicals and tend to be better for the planet too.
OffCourt performance Body Sprays provide everything you need to always feel fresh and smell great. They are not only aluminum-free but also formulated with powerful deodorizing and prebiotic ingredients to trap odor, keeping you odor-free all day with three premium unisex scents to choose from.
Performance Body Spray - Trio Pack
If you want to learn more about aluminum-free deodorants, continue reading: The Pros and Cons of Aluminum-Free Deodorant
Final Thoughts
While concerns about aluminum in personal care products persist, scientific evidence regarding its potential health effects remains inconclusive. Studies suggest that only a small fraction of aluminum from antiperspirants is absorbed through the skin.Therefore for those who are looking for an alternative, aluminum-free deodorants offer a natural, gentle, environmentally friendly, and potentially safer option. At OffCourt clean, proven ingredients provide the foundation for everything we make, learn more about OffCourt Products to include in your routine.