Natural Deodorants: Crystal Body Deodorant and Dangerous Alum Salts
There is a discussion today among health practitioners about crystal rock and crystal body deodorant type products, and whether or not they can truly be referred to as natural deodorants. The issue is that most all of them contain alum salts and, in case you have not heard, there have been studies showing a direct connection between aluminum and diseases including breast cancer as well as Alzheimer’s. In fact one 1998 study stated the use of aluminium-containing antiperspirants has been linked with the systemic accumulation of aluminium thought to increase the risk of Alzheimer’s.
Dr. Philippa Darbre, who studies links between antiperspirants and breast cancer, has found that the alum salts are absorbed into the sweat ducts and the surrounding skin, and that alum leeches down beyond the arm pit area leaving dead cells. (Source: Aluminum In Breast Tissue: A Possible Factor In The Cause of Breast Cancer).
Most people refer to crystal rock or crystal body deodorant type products as organic, natural deodorants that are aluminum free, but the issue is that they still contain either potassium alum or ammonium alum – both derivatives of aluminum. So they are, in fact, not aluminum-free. What’s more, there has been so much confusion about the products, that due to market demand, manufacturers began making the alum crystals in laboratories – another reason they should not be classified as “natural.”
Aluminum has been classified as a neurotoxin by the National Institute of Health. But there are a variety of types of aluminum: including aluminum chlorohydrate, aluminum hydroxybromide and aluminum zirconium. Potassium alum and ammonium alum are aluminum compounds that are often used in deodorants and cosmetics. Even the aluminum suppliers state that aluminium ammonium sulfate, also known as ammonium alum, responds to tests for aluminum and for sulfate. These are salts of aluminum sulfate and should be treated with the same caution as all aluminums.
The fact is that aluminum is the family name to describe aluminum and alum salts. Most suppliers take the guessing game out by listing “respond to aluminum” in their MSDS. Alum salts are part of the aluminum family if they respond to the element AL(aluminum). The most common form, potassium aluminum, also known as potash alum, is the specific compound, hydrated potassium aluminum sulfate -KAl(SO4)212H2O. Potassium alum does contain aluminum. Alum is aluminum sulfate – Al2(SO4)3. Potassium alum is potassium aluminum sulfate – AlK(SO4)2. Interestingly, it is also used in bleached flour.
Ammonium alum is a white crystalline double sulfate of aluminum: the ammonium double sulfate of aluminum; (NH4)Al(SO4)2•12H2O. Potassium alum and ammonium alum are salts of aluminium sulphate. They are also used in dye making and tanning leather, and are ingredients for baking powders, and fire extinguishers. What’s more, these two aluminum salts are also commonly used as adjuvants in vaccines – yet an entirely separate health topic and controversy today.
What’s more, the FDA banned the aluminum zirconium chemicals in aerosols due to safety concerns over inhalation but today you can still find roll-on deodorants and antiperspirants containing this ingredient.
In the past, the term “natural deodorants” flooded the marketplace, but these were products that simply covered or “masked” odors. Then, as manufacturers looked for improvements, they added other ingredients including synthetic fragrances, parabens, and propylene glycol.
After that crystal rock or natural crystal body deodorant type stones came into the marketplace, which claimed to be natural, aluminum-free and effective. Although aluminum is natural – there is a play on words –saying natural is to trick people into believing it is good for us. Aluminum is not good for us. If you have been misled and believe your natural, aluminum-free crystal deodorant is safe, you may want to think about using a detox cleansing deodorant to cleanse the aluminums and metal ions residing under your arms.
Today, the only company that has formulated a product to cleanse your body of aluminum and other unwanted debris, which is a much better alternative to crystal rock and crystal body deodorant type products, because it is aluminum-free, is Herbalix Restoratives™ (www.herbalix.com) is now marketing the first Detox Cleansing Deodorant™ for nighttime use.
This truly organic natural deodorant is clinically tested, and the ingredients including coriander, seaweed and olive leaf, help to attract and absorb bacteria.
