The difference between antiperspirant and deodorant:
WE ALL SWEAT (sad, but true) and we all use some type of antiperspirant or deodorant but it’s important to know the health risks of the chemicals you are using on a daily basis and some safer alternatives. First of all, the difference between antiperspirants and deodorant is that antiperspirants use aluminum and zirconium to block the pores in your armpits so you will not sweat, while deodorant masks the smell but does not stop sweating. Deodorant has fragrances and anti-bacterial ingredients which minimize odor producing bacteria on your armpit. Deodorant generally doesn’t use the same harmful chemicals as antiperspirant does.
Health risks of antiperspirants
The aluminum compound in antiperspirants has been possibly linked to Alzheimer’s disease and different types of cancer. Aluminum can be absorbed through the skin and is considered a neurotoxin that can cause damage to the brain and nervous system. Using antiperspirant doesn’t mean you will automatically get these diseases but it’s important to know what you are putting into your body. Most antiperspirants use anywhere from 8-13.5% of an active form of aluminum chloride.
Environmental Risks
Not only does aluminum have health risks, it has environmental ones too. Aluminum has to be mined in order to get it which destroys natural habitats and pollutes the water and the air takes up a lot of energy to do so. Then when we use the antiperspirant the aluminum gets washed down the drain and enters into our water system. It can disrupt biological pathways in fish and other animals and contributes to water pollution.
Natural Alternatives
-If you choose to still use conventional antiperspirant find one that has lower amounts of Aluminum chloride in it by checking the active ingredients on the back
-Choose a deodorant that is aluminum free and contains natural chemicals like baking soda, algae extract, vinegar, vegetable glycerin and essentials oils.
-Deodorant such as the Norwex Crystal Deodorant are natural deodorants that are safe for your 
body and the environment. The Norwex Crystal Deodorant, made from mineral salts, is hypoallergenic, non-staining and non-sticky. Wet deodorant prior to use, and rinse off after each use. Stops odor-causing bacteria; does not stop perspiration.
I’m glad I’ve bookmarked your blog. There are so many great Norwex products I didn’t know were around. I will have to get some of this new deodorant.
I’ve stopped using regular antiperspirant years ago. I also read that getting mammograms actually increases your risk of breast cancer. How’s that for ironic.
I never knew the harmful effects of antiperspirant, makes me second guess what I’ve been buying at the store all these years. I’m so glad Norwex has a solution to everything!
I’ve actually known about the dangers of antiperspirants for while, but I keep using them. I tried switching to a natural product but no matter how much I used I ended up stinky by the end of the day. I tried to convince myself that it was sexy to smell all natural, but I realized that it wasn’t. Still, this article has made me reconsider.
One thing that many of my customers have success with is to use the Antibac Body Pack cloth to cleanse (with just water) in the shower and then they use our Crystal Deodorant with great success!
I’m looking into aluminum free deodorant options and came across your post. While looking at the ingredients on an actual Norwex deodorant it states ingredients ; Ammonium Alum. Is that not Aluminum? Sorry, not trying to be a troll, lol. Just looking for clarification. Thanks :o)
Hi Brian. Great question! Aluminum alum is not the same as the aluminum that is concerning in deodorant. Thanks!