First of all: Happy New Year!!!
I hope that we all find our happiness this year. Live a little happier, healthier, and fitter! I want to be one of your resources for just those things.
Now here we go.
Story time:
After my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer the 2nd time I was out of college and just starting to think about my own health and mortality. I started drinking more soy milk ( now soy is considered bad! Although new research is coming out that debunks non GMO soy being bad), I ate less meat, looked at alternatives for dairy cheese, and started considering that deodorant may be a villain in this cancer game.
I had heard a news report discussing the fact that anti perspirant messes with nature in that it didn't allow our body's natural process of letting us sweat to take place. It suggested that because of this, toxins build up under our under arms which happen to be super close to our breast tissue. In my mind the link the breast cancer made sense. Block our body from sweating, toxins build up! Cancer can ensue.
It's obviously not that simple. And now that I am a bit more educated, it comes down to a) I don't want to block my body from sweating, (it just doesn't sit right with me) and b) I don't want to put toxic substances on my body that I may absorb!
Do you know how much of what we put on our body we absorb? Well, it depends on what it is and the molecular makeup. This blog post does a great job of describing the process: Absorption of beauty products
I, for one, just don't want to take many chances. We use so many products each day, that it is a compound effect. If I only used toothpaste, or only used hairspray, or only used mascara, I probably wouldn't think too much of it. But have you ever made a list of all the products you use to get ready in the morning? Especially if you use makeup?
*toothpaste
*face soap
*face moisturizer
*that stuff on your razor that makes your shave "oh so smooth"
*soap
*shampoo
*conditioner
*styling gel
*hairspray
*handsoap
*foundation
*blush
*eye makeup
*masacara
*eyeliner
*powder
*bronzer
*mattifier
*lipstick
*lip gloss
*lip balm
*lotion
*perfume
I could go on! And I don't feel like I use that much! But I do. And that is only what I put on my body. What about what I use to clean? It gets overwhelming when I think about all of the chemicals and ingredients that I use on a daily basis. So how much of that am I breathing in or absorbing into my body?
Anyway! I digress.
Doing some research for this post, I found this article from the American Cancer Society. It's purpose was to try to debunk this myth that anti-antiperspirants had any role in breast cancer formation, but it did not do that for me, especially knowing about the chemicals put in our beauty products and how our skin absorbs them: American Cancer Society
About 1 year ago, I found a company called Ava Anderson Non-Toxic that sells only non-toxic products. It was started by a teenager who became hyper aware of the toxins in our products during a unit in her science class and could not find one thing on the store shelves that she felt safe buying. I like that she offers a variety of products and no matter what you buy, you can be rest assured that it is absolutely NON-TOXIC. This link to her website has a host of articles and excerpts that can really help to educate: Ava Anderson
Also, a good resource for investigating the products that you do use is: EWG Skin Deep
I do not like EVERY product that she sells, and I am starting to use The Honest Company and True Goods to find more products that I like and want to review for you, but I do like a lot of them. And she comes out with new products all of the time.
This post started out talking about deodorant! So this is where I am going to review the deodorant that I LOVE the most!!!
It's obviously not that simple. And now that I am a bit more educated, it comes down to a) I don't want to block my body from sweating, (it just doesn't sit right with me) and b) I don't want to put toxic substances on my body that I may absorb!
Do you know how much of what we put on our body we absorb? Well, it depends on what it is and the molecular makeup. This blog post does a great job of describing the process: Absorption of beauty products
I, for one, just don't want to take many chances. We use so many products each day, that it is a compound effect. If I only used toothpaste, or only used hairspray, or only used mascara, I probably wouldn't think too much of it. But have you ever made a list of all the products you use to get ready in the morning? Especially if you use makeup?
*toothpaste
*face soap
*face moisturizer
*that stuff on your razor that makes your shave "oh so smooth"
*soap
*shampoo
*conditioner
*styling gel
*hairspray
*handsoap
*foundation
*blush
*eye makeup
*masacara
*eyeliner
*powder
*bronzer
*mattifier
*lipstick
*lip gloss
*lip balm
*lotion
*perfume
I could go on! And I don't feel like I use that much! But I do. And that is only what I put on my body. What about what I use to clean? It gets overwhelming when I think about all of the chemicals and ingredients that I use on a daily basis. So how much of that am I breathing in or absorbing into my body?
Anyway! I digress.
Doing some research for this post, I found this article from the American Cancer Society. It's purpose was to try to debunk this myth that anti-antiperspirants had any role in breast cancer formation, but it did not do that for me, especially knowing about the chemicals put in our beauty products and how our skin absorbs them: American Cancer Society
About 1 year ago, I found a company called Ava Anderson Non-Toxic that sells only non-toxic products. It was started by a teenager who became hyper aware of the toxins in our products during a unit in her science class and could not find one thing on the store shelves that she felt safe buying. I like that she offers a variety of products and no matter what you buy, you can be rest assured that it is absolutely NON-TOXIC. This link to her website has a host of articles and excerpts that can really help to educate: Ava Anderson
Also, a good resource for investigating the products that you do use is: EWG Skin Deep
I do not like EVERY product that she sells, and I am starting to use The Honest Company and True Goods to find more products that I like and want to review for you, but I do like a lot of them. And she comes out with new products all of the time.
This post started out talking about deodorant! So this is where I am going to review the deodorant that I LOVE the most!!!
Here are the ingredients:
Ingredients: organic coconut oil, organic beeswax, organic shea butter, organic cocoa butter, aluminum free baking soda, organic arrowroot powder, organic tea tree essential oil, organic peppermint essential oil
That is it. I know what you are saying. I don't want to sweat! I don't want to stink! Natural deodorants don't work! Well...let me tell you. I do sweat, a little bit. But if I need a little extra protection for an event or something, I'll go with conventional deodorant/antiperspirant, if I must! But, for everyday, this is what I use. I don't stink. It is not sticky. It smells like chocolate mint ice cream. Ask me questions about it and I will be honest. I really didn't like it at first because I thought it made me smell funny, but I wanted to give it a real go because I wanted it to work! I had heard so many great reviews. And you know what? I've been using it for a year now and I LOVE it. That smell went away. I think it was just my sniffer. Day to day, I NEVER use anything else. No matter what. And I feel good knowing that it is one less beauty product that I have to worry about.
It may seem a little pricey at $24.95 for two! But the other amazing thing is that I have had this same deodorant for 1 YEAR! You read that right. I have not bought deodorant for 1 year. How 'bout them apples?
Anyway. I've tried many, many natural deodorants. But the only one that I am using, and have used for 1 year now, is this one. You can only get it through a distributor and you can find one online. Or, if you'd like to try it out, I can hook you up with someone I know or you can just go to the website and shop. Check out their other products too. And if you have questions, let me know. I've tried a TON of their stuff.
www.avaandersonnontoxic.com
Moral of the story:
Beware of the deodorant that you use no matter what you believe about it's link with breast cancer. Do your research, don't just settle for what we are given. I have no doubt that big companies do NOT have our best interests at heart. So be your own advocate for you and your family. Educate yourself. The information is out there! My goal is to educate as much as possible without boring you to death. But my hope is that I just give you a taste, and then you keep going with it. Keep learning, doing your own research, talking to your family and friends. Let's do what WE CAN to limit our exposure to toxins.
Be well!
And Happy New Year!
Mandy
Be well!
And Happy New Year!
Mandy
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