Cancer Diagnosis Led to my First Swap: Deodorant

 Why I Switched to Non-Toxic Deodorant After My Breast Cancer Diagnosis

At the age of 26, I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Amidst the flurry of doctor appointments and treatment decisions, I asked if there were any changes I could make that might be helpful. The first thing my doctor mentioned was my deodorant. She explained that many deodorants on grocery store shelves contain ingredients – such as aluminum, parabens, and phthalates – that are potentially linked to cancer. And we’re applying it over lymph notes and our breasts every day, sometimes multiple times a day – yikes! 

Making the Switch

I started researching non-toxic deodorants and was honestly overwhelmed at first. Some didn’t work. Some irritated my skin. Some smelled like a forest floor (not in a good way). But eventually, I found a few that felt right—gentle, effective, and free of the ingredients I was trying to avoid. 

Now, I use a deodorant that’s aluminum-free, paraben-free, and made with natural ingredients like arrowroot powder, coconut oil, beeswax and kaolin clay – it’s the Unscented Deodorant from Primally Pure. It goes on smoothly and without a big strip of white-cast, it’s effective, and it lasts all day. Highly recommend! Use my link for $10 off your first order.

However, deodorant needs are different for each person, from what I’ve noticed in talking with friends and through my own experience. What works for one might not work as well for another, and it can take some trial and error. I’ll share a few others with safer ingredients, including some more budget-friendly options, that I’ve tried – Just Ingredients Deodorant [$12.60 after 10% off with link], Native Deodorant Unscented (plus it’s 100% plastic free!) [$11-13], and Curie Deodorant [$13].

What I’ve Learned

This journey taught me that being informed doesn’t mean being afraid. It means making choices that align with my values and my health. For me, this was an important swap to make and started me down a path of slowly swapping out other products in our home over the last few years, as replacements have been needed. Follow along for more tips and encouragement as we all do our best to provide a safe, healthy space full of love for our families.