Aluminum may be getting an undeserved bad rap in the worlds of mental health and cancer, but there are some cases where we still want to avoid aluminum as much as possible, such as impaired renal function (kidney problems.)

Additionally, many mainstream cosmetic products including deodorants contain parabens. While some insist that parabens have not been shown to cause cancer, the chemicals have been linked to it and more studies are coming out showing that parabens can increase the growth of cancer, even in small amounts. Those who wish to be extra careful are choosing to find alternatives.

Whether we are talking pots and pans or deodorant, even if you just want to avoid aluminum because it makes you feel better or you are avoiding the parabens, you still need to find a replacement. And in the case of antiperspirant/deodorants, that can be a stinky process!

First, a little lesson on stink:
An antiperspirant uses aluminum in various forms to block the pores of the armpit, keeping the perspiration, i.e. ‘sweat’ from coming out. Usually this aluminum is in a carrier of a deodorant, a scent meant to cover up any smells that make it through and a chemical to kill underarm bacteria that cause the odor.

Those smells don’t come directly from the sweat, though, which is primarily water with some various other things in it such as salts, proteins, trace minerals, and yes some toxins.

Instead the bad smells come from the sweat coming into contact with bacteria on your skin. Those bacteria give off smelly byproducts as they process (eat and digest) the various compounds in your sweat.

The idea behind an antiperspirant is simple: less sweat = less food for the bacteria = less smell. The deodorant makes it a three-stage treatment, killing the odor-causing bacteria and providing a cover-up scent.

Deodorants and salt/crystal rocks:
Meanwhile, deodorants alone kill the bacteria and usually include a scent. They won’t block perspiration. This isn’t always a huge concern, but especially in sensitive situations or for individuals with hyperhidrosis (over-production of sweat), deodorant-only options may not be ideal.

Salt rocks have also become popular as alternatives to regular commercial anti-perspirants and deodorants. We have tried a number of these with limited success. None of them worked well enough to use with confidence on a regular basis.

Additionally, crystal or mineral salt deodorants use potassium aluminum sulfate. While this doesn’t block the pores in the same way other aluminum-based anti-perspirants are meant to, it is an aluminum-based compound.

Enter Silver
Then there’s silver. This particular shiny mineral has been used for centuries to purify water and protect wounds from infection. Silver ions kill bacteria quite effectively, and bacteria killed by silver actually kill other bacteria, like little zombies.

The process by which silver kills bacteria is still not fully understood, and research continues. This also means that yes, there are some concerns that bacteria could develop a resistance to silver in the same way they develop resistances to antibiotics. After all, silver is now embedded in toothbrushes, clothing, towels, and just about any other surface a person might want to keep free of bacteria.

If that doesn’t put you off, and you are looking for a non-aluminum, non-paraben deodorant that really works, this is the stuff:

Silver Shield Deodorant (and foot spray) from Silver Botanicals is a roll or spray-on silver-based deodorant that works wonders. The scents are mild, as this product relies on the power of silver to defeat odor-causing bacteria.

Once you’ve purchased an applicator (or two – we keep one in our gym bags as well), refills run about 60% of the cost, making ongoing use a less expensive prospect.

Jo prefers to avoid aluminum and stays away from parabens and their risks. I wasn’t as worried about aluminum but after donating my kidney, and some of the research for this and another aluminum article, I’m glad to stay away from it too, just in case. Silver Botanicals gives us a safe and effective option that we really can rely on.

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