We’re smack in the middle of the hottest, stickiest, sweatiest months of summer – and while it’s hard to ignore scorching temperatures, none of us wants to smell like we feel. Many of us apply generous amount of deodorant in the morning, and maybe even a few more times throughout the day to make sure those random whiffs of b.o. we’re occasionally subjected to aren’t coming from us.

You’re probably already aware of health risks posed by antiperspirants – we’ve been warned for years that antiperspirants, which block sweat glands through astringent chemicals, are unsafe. Aluminum-based compounds, which the World Health Organization linked to Alzheimer’s way back in 1993, are the active ingredient in most antiperspirants. People with the disease were found to have high concentrations of aluminum in the brain. But aluminum is not just found in antiperspirants – it’s extremely common in most mainstream deodorants as well.

More recent studies have also linked antiperspirants and deodorants to breast cancer because of these aluminum compounds. The National Cancer Institute reports that studies have shown that these compounds are absorbed by skin near the breast and cause estrogen-like effects – and estrogen can contribute to the growth of breast cancer cells. Other studies link these products to breast cancer because they contain sometimes parabens, a group of toxic chemicals we’re always trying to avoid. In fact, a 2004 study found parabens in 90 % of samples of tumors found in breast tissue.

Though these studies have not proven that either aluminum or parabens cause Alzheimer’s or breast cancer, the relationships between these chemicals and the two diseases is enough to make us want to err on the side of caution. It can actually be pretty tough to find a deodorant without aluminum in it – drugstore aisles are full of brands replete with not so nice ingredients. But Tom’s Of Maine’s Natural Original Deodorant Stick manages to keep b.o. at bay without aluminum OR parabens.

The product, which has been around since 1976, relies on natural ingredients like vegetable oils, organic lemongrass, and hops (yes, hops) to inhibit growth of odor-causing bacteria naturally. It’s especially good for those of us with sensitive skin and asthma because its fragrance comes from mild, natural ingredients like calendula, lavendar, honeysuckle rose, and woodspice.

Bonus: Tom’s of Maine is involved in a variety of community development and philanthropic efforts, so your dollars are going towards the greater good.

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