That’s right folks, I Betsy Vilca, no longer am slipping on gross chemicals into my body– at least through the armpits. Why? Well, because my hippie bestie Daniela has gone all out and gone eco-friendly. That includes using less plastics! Also, I heard about deodorant possibly causing breast cancer, so there’s that.
You heard about people linking deodorant and breast cancer, right? Apparently, ‘underarm antiperspirants or deodorants are applied near the breast and contain potentially harmful ingredients, several scientists and others have suggested a possible connection between their use and breast cancer (Cancer.gov).’ However, no scientific evidence has linked the two, but better safe than sorry.
Now, although there are no direct connections between the two think about this. Wearing deodorant and antiperspirant inhibits the secretion of toxins from your body. Preventing your body from sweating naturally is thought to lead to clogged pores and a buildup of toxins. Makes sense, right?
Moving on…
What have I been using then?
My hippie bestie introduced me to Alum Stone Crystals. Alum stone has been used for centuries for many proposes due to its astringent properties. It is particularly effective as a natural deodorant as the mineral salts in alum stone prevent the formation of odor-causing bacteria. Hippie bestie swears by it and got me into. How could I possible argue trying something out that only cost $5.99 (from this etsy store) and it lasts for months! Oh, and bonus point, it doesn’t use any plastic container.
How to Use Alum Crystal
They’re available as a stone, roll-on, or spray. I use the stone and keep it in my medicine cabinet. The best time to apply the stone is right after you shower or bathe, when your underarms are freshly cleaned and still slightly damp. I wet my stone and rub them under arms for about 40 seconds or so on each pit. Then dry my pits with a towel!
Does this type of deodorant work?
When I was first trying it out it seemed to not work for me. That was because I kept the stone in the shower with me. Definitely keep it dry when not in use. Keep it in a jar or in the medicine cabinet, like I do. It works! The salt in crystal deodorant helps to kill bacteria that cause underarm odor. While you may still sweat, the odor may be reduced or eliminated. Also, increased body odor during this adjustment can happen.
Although it works for me, it may not for everyone. We all have different body chemistry– some may get rashes, itchiness, or irritation. If so, this may because you just shaved or wax, or simply it’s just not for you. Trial and error folks!
There’s also plenty of other ways to use Alum Crystals and you can check it out here!
What are your thoughts on going al-natural? Have you thought about this? Are you using stones? Blast off in the comments down below!
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