32: Deodorant Dangers & Antiperspirant Bombshells

Narrator

How would you like to improve your health and keep your family safe? You're listening to the healthy home hacks podcast where we firmly believe enjoying optimal health shouldn't be a luxury. Healthy Home Authorities and husband and wife team, Ron and Lisa, will help you create a home environment that will level up your health. It's time to hear from the experts. listen in on honest conversations and gain the best tips and advice. If you're ready to dive in and improve your well-being and increase your energy, you're in the right place. All right, here are your hosts, Baubiologists, authors, media darlings, vicarious vegans and avocado aficionados, Ron and Lisa Beres.

Ron Beres

Hello, everyone. Today's bonus episode is picking up from Episode 31: From Cancer to Clean Beauty: A Mom�s Fearless Journey with our guests and founder of Authentic Skin Remedies, Amy Kearnan. And if you haven't already, be sure to visit www.RonandLisa.com/podcast to catch this episode is there are two chances to win plant based, vegan and cruelty free skincare goodies totaling $238.00. You don't want to miss this. And also, with a big announcement guys, this is Episode 32. This wraps up Season One of Healthy Home Hacks podcast. It's so hard to believe Lisa and I cannot thank you enough for being part of this toxic free trek with us. But stay tuned because we got some incredible guests and show topics up our organic sleeves for season two after we take a short break.

Lisa Beres

So, everyone needs to pay attention to today's show, because this affects teens, men and women and we're talking about the dark side of antiperspirants and most deodorant brands.

Ron Beres

That's right. Many people are still unclear about the difference between deodorant and antiperspirant. Turns out the majority of people are smearing spritzing on toxic chemicals to sensitive and sometimes freshly shaven areas without even realizing it. Where do these toxins go when they get released? Just think about it. Our armpits are in close proximity to the lymph nodes and the breast tissue. In fact, a study published in the European Journal of Cancer found under arm shaving with antiperspirant and deodorant use may play a role in breast cancer.

Lisa Beres

Yes, Ron and as we mentioned on episode 31, one in eight women today will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women and is the leading cause of death in women from their late 30s to early 50s. But breast cancer isn't the only concern. Antiperspirants use aluminum salts. Aluminum is a heavy metal that is linked to an increased risk in Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Unfortunately, it's not just aluminum that antiperspirant users need to be wary of. There is a host of other petrochemicals and preservatives that can disrupt hormones cause cancer and effect organ functions. I'm going to go through just five that you need to be wary of get go grab your bottle of antiperspirant right now, or your deodorant and let's see if you have any of these ingredients on the list. Starting with number one, triclosan. This is classified as a pesticide by the FDA and a probable carcinogen by the EPA. It's linked to all kinds of issues like skin irritation, allergies, and even thyroid issues. Propylene glycol, this is the active ingredient in anti-freeze guys. Propylene glycol is also used to soften products, and it can cause damage to the central nervous system and heart. Number three, parabens. We've discussed these on the show many times. These are synthetic chemicals that cause hormone imbalances, and they're linked to birth defects, organ toxicity and an increase in hormone related cancers including breast cancer. Number four, synthetic fragrances. The word fragrance or perfume on your ingredient label can mask hundreds of other chemicals including parabens. They're linked to a higher risk of birth defects and women with high levels of parabens in their blood and urine. And finally, number five, aluminum, a metal and neurotoxin linked to dementia, and Alzheimer's disease and breast cancer. I'm going to give it to you guys straight most deodorants and all antiperspirants stick stink. No, really. Antiperspirants are designed to prevent our bodies from sweating. And while this sounds nice, in theory, it's not. The real danger is that antiperspirant use aluminum, a neurotoxin as the active ingredient to block the pores of our skin to prevent us from perspiring. However, sweating is one of our main body's functions to release toxins from our system.

Ron Beres

Well good news, someone who understands the importance of not just detoxification is our guest, Amy Kearnan, welcome to the show.

Amy Kearnan

Thank you for having me.

Ron Beres

Amy. Can you explain why we need an armpit detox before we do the healthy switch? So how does it work?

Amy Kearnan

Yes, once you switch from your antiperspirant deodorant, you're going to sweat, especially initially, that's actually a good thing. Because you're reading your body have built up toxins, such as arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, according to a study published in the Journal of Environmental Public Health, the longer you use a natural deodorant, the less you tend to sweat. So, when I developed my natural deodorant, which is called balance, it's a sea water mist. The biggest complaint initially from people making the switch was the fact they had strong smells and stains on their clothes that they never had before. So, when you quit an antiperspirant cold turkey, you should probably forget about wearing a white shirt.

Lisa Beres

I've had that experience.

Ron Beres

You had it on TV, for example.

Lisa Beres

I had that on TV, Ron. And I actually, it was our very first TV appearance. That's how long ago I switched away. And I had like a silk shirt on, Amy. And yeah, not a good combo. And it was like, I could not stop sweating. I was under the hot lights, to boot. Oh my gosh.

Amy Kearnan

And so, what show was it?

Lisa Beres

It was a local cable show here in Orange County.

Amy Kearnan

Yeah, cut I've seen you guys have been on some really big shows.

Lisa Beres

Oh, thank God, it wasn't like a big national show. Yeah. No, no, it was a little show and actually, you couldn't see it. My hair was long and covered it but so just you know, be prepared for that guys.

Amy Kearnan

Exactly. So, because of that my training as a strong voice for the Breast Cancer Fund, which is an organization I volunteered with focusing on 100% prevention. They taught me there needs to be a detox period. I mean, if you think about it, depending on how long you've used the ante per sprint, many of us in our teams, there is years of a backed up bacterial. I say sludge that begins to release when you stop blocking your natural perspiration. So, the yellow stains on your clothes and these smells.

Lisa Beres

Okay and to repeat that guys, if you missed it, it's backed up bacterial sludge. Okay, I know it's not really as like, graphic. I've been, I went through it. And to be honest, it depends on how toxic you are. If you're a person, they using all kinds of name brand toxic products, you're going to have more backup and you're eating a bad diet, you're going to have more. If you're living a pretty healthy lifestyle, it's going to be milder. So yeah.

Ron Beres

Is there a good rule of thumb? Like how long does it last typically, that whole sludge process?

Amy Kearnan

So, I basically say, about a week to 10 days on so I also make a joke not to have any important events that you may be going to because you might be giving off some strong pheromones. And those first few days, I had a lot of friends that when the lockdown happened decided to do it. Because they knew they weren't going anywhere.

Ron Beres

Yeah, okay. Okay.

Lisa Beres

But then their poor husband and the kids are stuck with them. That's mean, Amy.

Ron Beres

That is part of the detoxing process. Can you explain anything further around that?

Amy Kearnan

Yeah, I mean, well, I just want to say to when I started researching and developing my natural deodorant, I found it interesting if you go to the deodorant aisle, and you know, even the grocery store. Most of the female deodorants are antiperspirants. And most of the men�s are just deodorant. I mean, why? Why do we have to block our sweat but they don�t?

Lisa Beres

They like to toxify the women as if we don't have enough products. We talked about last episode and women use 168 unique ingredients a day on average. Oh, yeah, right. Let's just add some more in the in the antiperspirant.

Amy Kearnan

Right? And you know, when you think about it, you know, we're blocking ourselves from, you know, sweating and nature has given us many health benefits of sweating. It reduces the risk of kidney stones. In addition to toxins, sweating through exercise, releases excess salt and calcium from the body. And according to researchers from the University of Washington, you can reduce the risk of kidney stones just by sweating. So, without sweating, excess minerals traveled to the kidneys and urine and potentially form kidney stones.

Lisa Beres

A lot of people are getting Botox in their armpits, right? Have you heard from sweating? It's the same thing because you know we're talking about like the ingredients in antiperspirant and deodorant but Botox that you're you just blocked off a pathway of your body to release toxins. So that how sad is that? You know, that's not a good that's just not. And I know I know there's - I think it's an illness I think there's a name for it where people have excessive sweating. I know that's a different thing. And I'm not going to, I don't want us to really go there because that's not yet what the topic of this is today but for most people. Why would you do that? Why would you block that?

Amy Kearnan

Yeah. And it's, it's right by your lymph nodes and it's right by your breasts, you know. So, another benefit of sweating naturally is it regulates your body temperature. So, it actually the evaporation of sweat on your skin, which is your largest organ, it helps us maintain a cool body temperature while preventing overheating and extreme heat during an intense workout. So, without that regulation, you can feel dizzy or faint or develop skin rashes. I know a lot of people antiperspirant gives them skin rashes and you know, ingrown hairs and you know, its redness on their armpits. And then the last thing is acne. I mean, sweat causes our pores of our skin to open and release the buildup that lead to breakouts.

Lisa Beres

Yeah. And you were mentioning like, a lot of people put deodorant or antiperspirant. Well, we're talking about antiperspirant is the real issue. Antiperspirants use aluminum; aluminum salts to block those pores. Deodorants don't. Right? There can still be harmful chemicals as I mentioned in deodorants, but the real issue is you want to ditch the antiperspirant. But people will put antiperspirant on and then go to the gym right away. That's where you want to sweat. Sludge is building. Okay, so Amy, what products do you use or recommend to someone's listening, our listener says, Hey, gosh, I've never heard of this. I've never heard of an Armpit Detox Cleanse. Where do I start?

Amy Kearnan

The armpit cleanse is actually pretty easy. And I actually sell it on my website, we're actually giving one away as part of a sweepstakes on Ron and Lisa's website. But to do it, you need to use something grainy or a loofa to massage your lymph system, increase the circulation in your pit area and exfoliate. So, in a hot steam shower, you can use my polish, a sugar exfoliating buff, and massage for a minute until the sugar is gone. You can also do it with a dry brush like a loofa and soak inside an Epsom salt bath. For added measure, you can add baking soda in the bath, which promotes sweating, which helps the body release toxins from the pores. A good way to test if detoxing from Epsom salts works is if you�ve ever had a hangover, or fighting a flu or a cold. After 20 minutes of using the sugar scrub and then the Epsom salt, you'll notice a difference in how you feel probably an hour or two later. And I tell people this all the time. And it's like you actually feel a difference.

Lisa Beres

You know the sugar; do you use the sugar scrub under your armpits for 20 minutes. And then you get into the bathtub with some Epsom salt and the baking soda?

Amy Kearnan

Yeah, and actually for added measure, like I said, if you have a cold or a flu or anything, you just want to detox your whole body. I have clients that have gone through chemo and radiation I have a lot of cancer patients that come to me after and I recommend not during chemo but after to do what you do is you stand over the tub. And you just take the sugar scrub dry and do a dry rub on your entire body obviously focus on your pits and you know where the lymph system is. And then so for you know, 20-30 minutes, but you actually do feel better. You know, if you have a hangover and you have a headache, like literally an hour later, you know you just you feel better.

Lisa Beres

So, Wow, that's really great. I think I you I love the Polish, which is Amy's Authentic Skin Remedies scrub. And I used it and the first time this week I loved it. My skin was like so smooth. And it's interesting because we don't normally scrub our armpits. That's not a place we scrub with something grainy, right? Like we're not sort of told to do that.

Ron Beres

So, in regards to the armpit area, does it make a difference if you have hair there if your man?

Amy Kearnan

Um, I don't think so. I mean the sugar scrub. A lot of men use the sugar scrub on their beard to soften it for shaving. So, I think I don't think so. Okay, back to the cleanse. So now you've kind of, you know, activated your lymph system and your circulation. So, what you have to do next this is very important. You can take a teaspoon or tablespoon of baking soda and a little cough, add some water and it makes a paste. Just add it enough to till it turns into a paste. And then also the baking soda needs to be aluminum free.

Lisa Beres

Well, you know what, I'm glad you brought that up because this is a something that people get very confused about. Baking soda doesn�t have aluminum, only baking powder. But I'm glad you brought that up because a lot of people think that so there is aluminum and baking soda, only baking powder.

Amy Kearnan

Yeah, I think you can use baking powder as well because they're very similar. But you basically apply the paste to your armpits, you can leave it on all day, unless you're worried about it getting on your clothes, and then you know, you can wash it off after 20 minutes. Okay, so the antifungal, antibacterial properties of the baking soda absorb and deodorize some of that build out that's coming out. And sometimes if it's really bad, you may need to do this a few times in a day in the beginning, okay, but I had a dancer call me the other day, and she didn't want to have the white powder, you know, on her leotard. And so, I looked up a couple options. You can do either lemon squeezed and warm water and apply it with a cotton ball. Okay, but even better is apple cider vinegar applied with a cotton ball. So then once you do that,

Lisa Beres

That seems pretty easy so that you could do that out of the baking soda.

Amy Kearnan

There are three super easy substitutes, or three different options to kind of you know, get rid of the bacteria and so then you just spray the deodorant which is Ph balanced or whatever deodorant, you have any natural deodorant if you want to check the score, you can go on to Skin Deep or Think Dirty apps like we said in the other episode, right?

Lisa Beres

And for listeners who did not listen to Episode 31, that is the Skin Deep database and that's through EWG, The Environmental Working Group and they list 1000s and 1000s of products with that toxicity score from one to 10. I think I said one to seven last time but it's actually one to 10 I'm going to give you guys - hang on till the end because I'm going to list some of my favorite deodorants that are very low toxicity.

Ron Beres

That's excellent. Alright, speaking of ingredients, what ingredients are in your cleanse Amy?

Amy Kearnan

I don�t include the baking soda. No, but the cleanse if you buy it off the website you get the Polish sugar export exfoliating buff and then you get the Balance seawater mist. So, the ingredients are all in Latin on my website as you know organic ingredients are in Latin, but since the last time I spoke Latin was probably in ninth grade.

I�m looking at the ingredients and I'm not even going to try to you know, say them so I'll just use the English version. But if you want to see the Latin version, you can go on my website. So, the sugar buff has organic brown sugar, organic avocado oil, and just a scent. So, an organic lavender or whatever organic oil to make a scent, so it's very simple. But the brown sugar is really grainy and then the avocado oil actually nourishes as well so it's great on your body. Sometimes you can use the scrubbing you don't even need moisturizer afterward night. And then the Balance seawater mist is purified seawater which actually balances your pH and then organic sandalwood oil, organic rosewood oil, organic lavender oil, geranium oil, and the pH balancing element of the seawater and then the antifungal, antibacterial elements of the sandalwood rosewood and lavender actually also make this product great for a face toner. You can spray a cotton ball and use it on your face as a toner. Or my favorite way you use it as a texturizing spray for beach waves in your hair in between washings.

Lisa Beres

Wow. Yeah, you talked about the multi-use of a lot of your packs instead of having 5000 bottles in your medicine cabinet.

Amy Kearnan

You really only need a few because they are multipurpose really. And one other secret use. My boys play soccer and I bring the balance to the soccer field and I spray them when they're hot and then I also spray feet. Well just because they stink

Ron Beres

So, the second spray is for mom?

Lisa Beres

For mom. Yeah.

Amy Kearnan

It�s in the purse for the stinky teenagers.

Lisa Beres

I love it. Okay, so friends, I want to as I just mentioned, I want to leave you with some of my favorite brands of deodorant. Remember, I want to recap where Talking about deodorants, not antiperspirants, antiperspirants clog your pores and block you from detoxification. You've probably been using them and if so it's time for an armpit detox that Amy just talked about, and it's time to switch to a natural deodorant. Amy doesn't sell those. So, I'm going to give you a few of my favorites that are free of parabens, propylene glycol, petrochemicals, aluminum compounds and synthetic ingredients including artificial colors and fragrances. Whether you prefer a stick a roll on a cream or a spray, you'll be sure to find a deodorant to suit your sweaty needs while avoiding the pitfalls of antiperspirants. Okay, I love the sprays. I find them to be very cooling. And they smell so good. You don't get any residual stains like you do sometimes with the sticks. But one of my favorite brands is Crystal. A lot of you guys probably remember when they first came out with the rock and a lot of people were like, uh, I don't know that's a little too granola. Right? Well, now they're they've come a long way. They've got beautiful, wonderful sprays. And their deodorants are comprised of mineral salts and natural plant essences that are made without aluminum chloride, aluminum chlorohydrate or aluminum zirconium. So, when you look at the ingredient labels, you guys the aluminum can be under different names. Okay, so you want to look for that. They do not have parabens, or artificial fragrance and the entire line is vegan and cruelty free. And I absolutely love the smells. They have lavender and white tea, chamomile and green tea, pomegranate and vanilla and Jasmine. Okay, so that's the Crystal brand very easy to find. Next is Erbabiva. This is a smaller company but they were the first one of the first sprays of using essential oils that I fell in love with. They happen to be USDA certified organic, which I love and they're cruelty free and free of chemicals. And they use organic essential oils and organic grain alcohol to reduce perspiration and naturally fight under armed bacteria. They've got jasmine and grapefruit is one of their scents that I love. Next is a company called JK Naturals. And they're California based. They're handcrafted using certified organic ingredients. And they have sticks. So, if you like and they have creams and roll-ons, too, but they do not have a spray. They use steam distilled essential oils, like cents with lavender and peppermint and tea tree and they feature antimicrobial and odor limiting properties. So that's a really great brand. And they even have a line for teens, which I think is really cool. That's JK Naturals. They have a special line just for teens. Next would be Native deodorant. You may have heard of them. They're pretty readily available. And they are composed of ingredients like beeswax, baking soda, coconut oil and shea butter to naturally fight odors. And they have a charcoal deodorant that harnesses the power of activated charcoal and they combine it with citrus undertone so it smells amazing. And I love their new package free packaging which our producer will love. It's made from paperboard and ships in 100% recycled container and that comes in a stick; native deodorants are in stick form.

Ron Beres

Did you say plastic-free?

Lisa Beres

Yeah, plastic free packaging, isn't that neat? It's just Paper, no plastic. So, and then Pretty Frank is kind of a funny name. They used to be called something else I think they were Pitty Paste. They're made from natural and organic ingredients that use baking soda. As Amy mentioned baking soda so good for odor absorption, right? It works in your house you can put it in your carpet for odor absorption and guess what? It works under your armpits. So, this brand also uses coconut oil and shea butter for moisturizing and organic arrowroot powder to help keep you dry. You can make your own nontoxic deodorant and to be honest, we have recipes for this on www.RonandLisa.com. If you search, there are recipes to make your own. This line is cruelty free, and they come in sprays with lime and lavender scents and they also have a version for sensitive skin that is baking soda free because baking soda can be irritating. This line, Pretty Frank is available in a stick, spray or a cream.

Amy Kearnan

Can I do a shout out to my favorite deodorant?

Ron Beres

Number six. What is it?

Amy Kearnan

It's Lavanila. And that�s lavanila.com, but what's cool is they are vegan and all of that but they use probiotics. You know what's in yogurt and kombucha and I just love the smells. I actually have gotten it at Sephora before.

Lisa Beres

Okay, good to know. Yeah, Lavanila. Okay, good cuz like, there are a lot of the brands. Some of them are small, you're going to have to order online or boutique stores. But yeah, some of these you're going to find at Target and your regular grocery store even. So, listeners don't think that oh, you know, it�s going to be too expensive or I'm not going to be able to find it. These are readily available, some of the brands that we mentioned.

Ron Beres

Well, excellent job, ladies. Well, there you have it, you can detox your deodorant, because let's face it, antiperspirants are the pits. So, thank you again, Amy for being here. We really appreciate you. And you can find Amy's armpit cleanse on her website at AuthenticSkin.com and you have a chance to win a kit at www.RonandLisa.com/Podcast.

Lisa Beres

Yes, thank you, Amy.

Amy Kearnan

Thank you, guys, so much for having me. It's so much fun.

Lisa Beres

And, this is so important. So, so important for everybody. You guys. We're going to see you shortly as this episode wraps Season One of the Healthy Home Hacks podcast. Be sure to subscribe so you can find out when we're back and stay tuned for more great interviews coming to an earbud near you in Season two. Bye, everyone.

Ron Beres

Bye, everyone. See you next season.

Narrator

This episode of the healthy home hacks podcast has ended. But be sure to subscribe for more healthy living strategies and tactics to help you create the healthy home you've always dreamed up. And don't forget to rate and review so we can continue to bring you the best content. See you on the next episode.