Have you been reading your Deodorant's label?

Things associated with summer: Picnics. The smell of fresh flowers. Sunshine! Ice-filled lemonades. Holidays. 

Things not associated with summer: Aluminium compounds. Parabens. Triclosan. Propylene Glycol. TEA and DEA. 

Are you left wondering what I'm talking about? Deodorants! It's quite easily a summer essential. However, we have, over the years, heard about how harmful roll-ons can be and how scary the sprays are. I recently came across an article that spoke of all the nasty things a.k.a toxins hiding in our deodorants and it made me think. At And Begin Again we strive to use ingredients and raw materials that are the best for not only our bodies, but the world around us. Learning and reading about the scary substances that hide in our unsuspecting bottles and cans of deodorants made me want to spread the word. 

As Gwyneth Paltrow's clean-living website Goop states, "Studies connecting antiperspirants and deodorants to breast cancer and Alzheimers have been inconclusive, though receive a breast cancer diagnosis at most major medical centres, and you will be told to stop using conventional antiperspirants and deodorants. [...] That said, depositing elements like synthetic fragrance and aluminium onto the thin skin of the underarms seems a risk not worth taking, especially because clean-beauty companies have developed deodorants that do none of the above and still work". 

There are several clean-beauty brands making deodorants that work and aren't harmful. Sometimes, you can even add a bit of lemon or a handful of neem leaves to your bath water and that'll act as an antiperspirant for the rest of the day. Simple steps, really, that won't cost us our health. 

So, the next time you buy yourself a deodorant, make sure to read the label to ensure there's no toxins lurking. And if you're feeling adventurous, why not try to make your own? Click here for some easy recipes.