Let me state something at the outset: This post will not get into the details of The Green Miles' bouquet, before or after this test. I'll stay vague. Promise.I've always heard talk that modern antiperspirants and deodorants may not be good for you long-term. There's ongoing research into the potential effects of aluminum chloride, the main ingredient commonly used in antiperspirants. There are also questions about the effect of parabens, which are preservatives used in deodorants and antiperspirants.
I wondered if it would be possible to move away from aluminum-based antiperspirants without smelling like Kevin McHale at the end of the day. So I decided to compare three different offerings:
- My usual Gillette, containing aluminum and various other scary-sounding stuff like "dimethicone"
- A type of Degree deodorant, no aluminum but still chemical-based
- Arm & Hammer's "Essentials," which contains no aluminum and no parabens, relying on baking soda and natural plant oils
Would I get rid of the aluminum-based deodorant altogether? Without some better confirmation of its ill effects, no. I'm fine with the Degree and Arm & Hammer for my usual office setting, but I'd want to keep some of the aluminum-based stuff as needed. If I was going to be out and about on a muggy DC summer day with just the natural deodorant, things might get ugly.
For more recommendations on natural deodorants, check out IdealBite.com.
