I hope this isn’t too much of a surprise. Here you are, perhaps expecting yet another courgette recipe – or at least some kind of recipe involving food – and what do I want to write about: underarms. Nice. Well, I’m not going to go on about underarms per se, but the ‘management’ of the underarm. This is for two reasons: 1) many women are concerned about using antiperspirant-deodorants (I’ll just refer to them as deodorants from now on even though they are different) that contain aluminum; and 2) I am quite allergic to all ‘proper’ deodorants.
To get my story over with I should say that, like some adults who do not have a history of allergies, overnight I became highly sensitive to something, in this case deodorant. It was a normal morning about five years ago, getting ready as normal, putting on my usual (aluminum-containing) deodorant. After the final swipe, BAM, underarms swelled alarmingly and became red, painful and massively itchy. The area was so swollen I couldn’t put my arms down by my side. Ice, antihistamine, ibuprofen – nothing helped much. This weird and horrible reaction did not subside completely for two weeks. You read that correctly, two weeks.
So, thinking ‘wow, that was horrible so I must use a non-aluminium deodorant’, I tentatively rolled on one of those reassuringly expensive eco brands (I had a range of them already that I occasionally used). BAM, same reaction – but for three weeks this time. Miserable, sleepless and bewildered (not to mention a bit whiffy) I tried to find out why I had such an extreme reaction to something I had used since late childhood. I couldn’t get any answers from doctors, just shrugged shoulders and offers to do a patch test – no thank you! Nor was the Internet much help, except I did find a good deal of information on making one’s own deodorants. The latent chemist in me was intrigued.
Over time I have developed my own blend of spray-on deodorant – with a manly version too – that I use in conjunction with the only other thing I can use, Pitrok: horrid name, great product, especially when combined with my fragrant-smelling spray. If you dare to read on I’ll give you the recipe and more information about breast cancer and deodorant. And don’t worry, no photos of underarms…
Breast Cancer and Deodorants: I’m really not sure what I think about the alleged link between deodorant use and risk of breast cancer. The studies and analyses I have read are quite mixed. On balance, studies and breast cancer charities tend to say that there is no credible risk, but that more research needs to be conducted. I would say so. Most women living in Western countries use something to control odour and wetness, so it isn’t exactly a niche research subject.
There seems to be two main strands to the belief that deodorants cause breast cancer: 1) parabens in deodorants may cause cancer; 2) aluminum in deodorants/anti-perspirants may cause cancer. The latter tends to be most discussed and researched. Other peripheral issues abound relating to the inadvisability of blocking pores and the belief that microscopic cuts from shaving fast-track chemicals into our bloodstream.
As far as the paraben link goes, parabens are preservatives that happen to imitate the activity of estrogen on breast tissue cells, but at a very low level. To my knowledge human estrogen ‘overwhelms’ any effect paraben might have. It is thought that because parabens have been found in cancerous breast tissue that parabens may be responsible for the disease in some women. The studies have largely been dismissed by cancer charities and scientists due to other tissues not being sampled as well – basically they have no benchmark, no ‘control’ samples. It is likely that most anything that makes it into the bloodstream may show traces in cancerous – and non-cancerous – tissue. Nor was it established that any build-up was due to deodorant use, as parabens are also found in other products with which we can into contact. Many deodorants in the UK and US deodorants no longer use parabens – check the label or manufacturer’s website if you are concerned.
And then there is aluminum, or aluminium if you prefer. Like parabens, aluminum has estrogen-mimicking properties but it is used in deodorants to temporarily block the sweat glands. Bacteria in sweat is what causes odour, so blocking the source helps control odour. It has been thought by some that because many tumours are sited near the armpit that aluminum, and it’s duct-blocking and estrogen-imitating facets, may contribute to cancer over time. I’m summarising here, it’s a bit more complicated than that. In fact, breast tumours occur nearer the armpit because of the simple fact that there is more tissue in that area. The science blog at Cancer Research UK says it succinctly: more tissue = more cells. More cells = more things that can go wrong = higher chance of a cancer developing.
Like paraben studies, the studies that have looked at the aluminum-breast cancer link are thought to be flawed in various ways. Studies largely have not used healthy tissue or healthy people as controls. But one interesting 2007 study did raise the possibility of a link by examining the frequency of underarm shaving and deodorant use among 437 women who had had breast cancer. Age of breast cancer diagnosis was ‘significantly earlier in women who used these products and shaved their underarms more frequently. Furthermore, women who began both of these underarm hygiene habits before 16 years of age were diagnosed with breast cancer at an earlier age than those who began these habits later’ (cancer.gov). Although this is by no means a conclusive link it is a finding that gives pause for thought, and cause for further research.
Most breast cancer charities believe that more and better research needs to be done in this area. So far no one can say for sure that deodorants don’t have anything to do with cancer, just that most studies are a bit incomplete.
As a realist and quasi-scientist myself, I like proper science to inform my decisions. But it is hard to quieten my instinct that sticking a bunch of chemicals under my arms for years and years on end is perhaps not a good idea. So many of us avoid smoking, drinking too much and eating chemical-laden foods, that it makes sense to me that we should also avoid putting too many extra chemicals under our arms, on our body and on our face. There is much about cancer that we can’t control so it makes sense to me to control the things that we can, and not worry too much about the things that we cannot.
If you want more information about this topic, Cancer Research UK is good, as is the US site cancer.gov. These sites also give references of scientific papers should you wish to investigate for yourself. I will monitor this issue and report back when the currently active studies report. In the meantime I give you my humble little concoction.
Like I wrote above, I use it in combination (mostly) with something called Pitrok, which is a ‘crystal’ stick of ammonium alum (a natural salt). Don’t be worried about the word ‘alum’, it is nothing to do with aluminum, and is not absorbed by the skin in any case. Deodorants using this salt work through bacteriostatic action, meaning they inhibit bacterial growth while also allowing us to sweat. So, it doesn’t stop sweating, but it does stop the bacteria from multiplying and causing odour. You use it by first making sure your underarms are scrupulously clean, then either wetting the underarm or wetting the stick itself and spreading as you would a chemical deodorant. It is is bit odd in that you will see nothing at all, no sticky residue, no white.
My homemade deodorant spray (and others like it) has potent anti-bacterial and ‘drying’ properties, but I like the double protection of piggybacking it with the Pitrok. In fact while researching this post I read that putting a drop of essential oil onto the wet Pitrok (or other ammonium alum crystal stick) before each use is very effective. But I must say that I do Zumba a couple of times a week and the Pitrok+homemade deodorant combo seems to do the trick. I have had no complaints from family or friends, and no exclusion zone has popped up around me post-exertion.
Other ways to keep more fragrant include bathing regularly (obviously), limiting spicy foods (but that would be sad) and wearing natural, breathable fibres. Strangely I find that in hotter temperatures I sometimes don’t even need deodorant, perhaps because the sweat is constant and ‘fresh’, while I also will be wearing plain cotton or linen. That might just be me, but I wonder if any of you have found the same to be true of yourself.
A Homemade Deodorant That Really WorksYou will see that I have used vodka of all things as my preserving agent and overall bacteria zapper. You could instead use witch hazel or isopropyl alcohol, but the former is hard to get as a pure product here in the UK, and as for the latter, I got a blank look upon inquiry at several chemists. In any case, the alcohol/witch hazel/isopropyl alcohol rapidly evaporate and are cooling to the skin. But vodka is easy to disguise. You can dilute the vodka with distilled water but it isn’t absolutely necessary. Any nicks on the skin may sting – as with any deodorant – but it is temporary. You can find recipes that use baking soda and other powdery or waxy carriers and deodorisers but I have found them too ‘faffy’. Here are two good websites to explore if you want to explore other options: ecofriendlydaily.com and ehow.com.
The essential oils that I use smell nice to me and seem to work, but you can use most combinations that suit you. To check suitability for use on skin and for compatibility with other essential oils, check here with this rather comprehensive African website. They also advise on appropriateness with regard to such things as sensitivities, allergies, pregnancy and the like. You may read elsewhere that sage and clary sage are highly effective deodorisers, but I would not advise using them as they have too many contraindications. I am no expert so please do have a look at this website to make sure my combination is right for you – or ask a qualified aromatherapist. You’ll notice I have also put together a chap’s version because my original one is a bit feminine for the average male. But you never know. My daughter really likes the manly one.
For both deodorants try and use a glass bottle with appropriate sprayer, or one from an essential oils website that sells suitable plastic bottles. For mine I go to Neal’s Yard where they sell their beautiful blue bottles as recycles for 50 pence, or something like that. The sprayers are new and cost about £1 each. Here’s the US website. Please sign the ‘Save the Bees’petition if you go onto the Neal’s Yard website, or sign in-store. It’s to ban bee-toxic neonicotinoid pesticides.
For the essential oils, there are many places to find them but I prefer Neal’s Yard Remedies (NYR.com), Abbey Essentials and Tisserand. Whatever you end up getting make sure it is a pure oil rather than a blended oil, otherwise you are only getting a fraction of what you need for the deodorising and drying effects.
I don’t think I can sign off without saying something about food, even if it’s not mine. I’m not much for convenience food as I have the time and energy to do things from scratch, and it’s my job to be a real food cheerleader, but on your behalf (ha ha) today I slurped down some lovely packaged noodles from Clearspring. At my nutrition workshops I advise those that are going through cancer treatment to find a few decent convenience foods to keep by in case they are unable to cook. Of course it is preferable to have homemade soups, casseroles, smoothies and the like but sometimes opening a carton or package is the best that can be done.
This little packet of the familiar ramen noodles is reassuringly free of additives, weird stuff and the noodles aren’t fried before drying. In fact, other than being a little bland (which is perfect during treatment) it was quite tasty. I supplemented it with scavenges from the vegetable drawer – spring onion, shiitake, carrot, while also adding my beloved umeboshi paste for a sour kick. I got it at Waitrose, but Clearspring is found in other UK shops too. If you have a healthy-ish storecupboard find that you would recommend for those going through treatment, do let me know. If I get enough recommends I will make up a list and stick it in the Nutrition and Cancer section as an easily-found page.
Really interesting reading and I can almost smell your home made deodorants through cyberspace. I love geranium oil and ylang ylang so I really fancy this concotion. I think this needs to be made on a grand scale and sold in shops – I’m dreaming up packaging colours as I write.
Hi Niki, that is so kind of you to think my deodorant could be commercial. However it is so simple that once folk realised HOW simple they would just make it themselves. Which is fine by me, although I would love to see what colour and package scheme you would have for it. It makes a gorgeous room spray and oil burner mix (minus vodka) too. Versatile.
Wow! That’s an incredible story. I’m so sorry you had to go through that experience. Thank you so much for such an informative post. I’ve saved this to try myself.
Hi Kristi, thanks for stopping by and commenting. Yeah, it was a pretty unpleasant experience but I really do prefer the homemade deodorant and don’t miss the old stuff one bit. I remember the chemical kinds tended to stop working and I would have to switch brands, but this doesn’t happen with a simpler deodorant, although it’s nice to change it for a different fragrance sometimes. Please let me know if you try it, and be honest about it’s effectiveness. It truly does work for me, so much so that the sleeves on my tops don’t smell of anything but lovely essential oils.
Well, you know anything with vodka in it is going to have a head-start in brilliant from me! To be serious though, I got a package this morning via a friend of mine (bear with it) which contained a little jar of essential oil cream which is pure essential oils blended(?) into some very gentle cream. The idea is that I warm a little in my palms then slowly inhale with my hands cupped over my nose/mouth. (this is the relevant bit) – in that is Geranium Oil, Ylang Ylang, Bergamot and Orange Oil. I’ve never read much about the use of essential oils but I just thought it’s a kinda funny coincidence.
That is a coincidence. Your cream’s combination is so lovely – both relaxing and uplifting. I burn oils nearly everyday, changing them according to how I want to feel – studious, relaxed, energised, etc. They really can influence how you feel, and that creams – and my deodorant – will keep you smelling good and feeling even better. Thanks for commenting, Rosie.
My partner and I have been discussing deodorant options for awhile. We both haven’t used aluminum containing deodorant in over 3 months. Instead we were using Toms deodorant which contains propylene glycol in it. Although Toms says its okay to use, we are still skeptical about it. My partner uses neem powder with a tiny bit of olive oil. As for me I’m still searching for something good (at least I don’t sweat that much), but still I worry. This definitely sounds like an awesome idea and I’m going to bookmark it so I can give it a try. I love doing things to help prevent cancers! Thanks for the posting
Although I’m not convinced that commercial deodorants cause breast cancer I do think that if there is any doubt that it is reasonable to be able to use an effective and easily concocted alternative. I think my little recipe may be just that – at least for me. I can hardly believe that something so simple works so well, but it does. As nearly all essential oils are antibacterial maybe experiment to find a mix you like – I did mixing in little bowls. If you try it, please let me know how it is for you.
Interesting. My hubby likes Pitrok, so might see if he wants to make his own!
Hope he likes the look/smell of the masculine version. It makes me feel quite smug to make my own fab smelling potion & save all that money. Deodorants are ridiculously expensive. But I don’t have a choice!
Thanks so much for sharing this, I tend to be hypersensitive myself at times, so will give this a try!
I think quite a number of folk can be sensitive, maybe just not as dramatically as my event. Let me know if it works for you!