Propylene glycol is also highly toxic and used in automatic brake fluid, industrial antifreeze and you guessed it...many of your favourite deodorantsDibutyl phthalate (DBP) is another lovely one, it is the most commonly used plasticizer. Since when did not sweating become so important that we are using commercial grade chemicals to prevent it? DBP is so unhealthy that is has been banned in Europe for use in cosmetics and childrens toys. "A study published in Environmental Health Perspectives, revealed that American men with abdominal obesity or insulin resistance were more likely to have high levels of and DBP metabolites in their urine than men without those problems." Pretty scary. This is just one instance of DBP effecting health.
So if you can't wear regular deodorant what can you do? There are many all natural choices for deodorant that you can feel good about. Many can be found in your local organic market. Essential oils blended with Jojoba oil can be a great alternative. Lavendar, patchouli and eucalyptus to name a few. Try wearing more breathable clothing such as cotton.
Reading labels, checking ingredients and becoming aware of the products used on your skin is essential. Manufacturers of skincare lines and cosmetics will start to produce all natural, less harmful alternatives if the public demands it. Not only are these alternatives wonderful for your skin, they also help the planet.
There are also many other great resources out there to check to see what products contain harmful chemicals. One of the best is Skin Deep Cosmetic database. You just enter in the product that you want to research and it will give you a list of ingredients that are in the product, it will also tell you what the potential risks are of using products with these ingredients.