Nobody likes body odor. That goes without saying. And the over 4-billion-dollar market in the United States alone proves it.
But you know what’s a whole lot worse than some stinky armpits? CANCER!
Now you’re probably wondering what the two have to do with each other. Well, new research reveals the most common step people take to avoid B.O. could send their cancer risk rising.
You may have heard of benzene before. The chemical is so dangerous that typically there are warnings and recalls whenever it turns up.
If you’re a regular reader, you’ve probably seen a few of those alerts right here in Healthier Talk before.
Yet despite benzene showing up in some of our nation’s most popular deodorant brands, the products remain on the market. Even worse, most folks have never even heard about the risk.
So today, I aim to change that. I’m going to share the inside scoop on where the benzene has been found, what the risks of continued contact with this creepy chemical could be, and the best way to dodge it.
And don’t worry. You CAN avoid facing the cancer risk without smelling like a gym at the end of the day.
New warning over spray deodorants
A lot of folks like the quick convenience of spray deodorants. Plus, they’re much less likely to leave those ugly white streaks on your clothes.
But one spritz of that spray could coat your pits and line your lungs with a cloud of toxic chemicals that include benzene.
The independent pharmacy Valisure tested more than 100 products from 30 different deodorant brands and found benzene in more than half.
Some had shocking levels that went far beyond even what the feds consider “safe.” Which is, of course, NOT safe in the least.
The truth is that NO level of this toxin, linked to potentially deadly blood cancers, should be considered harmless.
Yet many of the deodorant samples tested went way above the fed’s already generous “safe” level. Some even ran up to NINE TIMES higher.
Spray deodorant could send benzene levels soaring
Valisure previously found benzene in some sunscreens. (Click here to catch up on that alert if you missed it.) But the pharmacy points out spray deodorants are likely to be even more dangerous.
Sunscreens are typically applied outside. This allows for the breeze to carry off at least some of the dangerous chemicals. But deodorant, on the other hand, is used indoors. And that means the fumes can build up in your room.
In other words, the benzene doesn’t just end up ON your skin, but up your nose too. And when you inhale the chemical into your body, it could potentially expose you to even bigger risks.
Valisure is urging the feds to issue a recall on the deodorants in question. And since nearly half of all the batches tested didn’t contain benzene, it’s clear these products can be produced without being laced with the killer chemical.
How to pick a safer product
But don’t hold your breath waiting for that to happen. Look for a safer option now to reduce your risks.
Unfortunately, that’s bound to be trickier than it sounds. Because along with the potential for benzene, there are other toxins to look out for.
Antiperspirant deodorants contain aluminum, for example. Aluminum can collect in breast tissue, may mess with the endocrine system, and has been found in higher levels in the blood of Alzheimer’s patients.
No studies have definitively linked the aluminum in these products to breast cancer or dementia yet. But the frightening possibility remains.
So first, try going without deodorant for a day or two and see what happens. You might be surprised at how little you actually need it. Many adults do fine with little to no deodorant use.
But if you find you still need deodorant, there are some better options out there. You can view the list of deodorants the benzene was found in, starting on page 12 of Valisure’s petition.
Plus, for an in-depth look at all of the ingredients in cosmetics, including sunscreens and deodorants, check out the “Skin Deep” database from the Environmental Working Group. It can help you make the safest possible choices.
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