Triclosan (TCS) is an antibacterial agent commonly used in soaps, deodorants, and personal care products. "Many studies have reported reproductive and developmental toxicity and endocrine-disrupting effects of [triclosan] in both in vitro and in vivo models" [1]. TCS has been banned completely in personal care products in the EU, and restricted in Japan, Canada, and Australia. When applied to the armpits, TCS absorbs into the bloodstream which allows the chemical to disrupt your hormones, putting you at higher risk for cancer [2] [3]. Though it has been restricted in hand soaps, "triclosan still remains, at high concentrations, in other personal care products... Triclosan is readily absorbed into human skin and oral mucosa and found in various human tissues and fluids" [4]. TCS is also known to persist in the environment, harming terrestrial ecosystems and aquatic life [1]. Due to the danger it poses to human health and the environment, it is a conundrum why TCS has not been banned in deodorants in the US.
Ingredients matter. Your skin is a highly absorptive organ- the armpits, face, and genitalia are the most absorptive areas. Studies have shown that much of what you put on your armpits will be absorbed into your bloodstream, and your blood is constantly circulating throughout your organs and body parts. This is why potentially toxic chemicals commonly found in deodorants can be so harmful to the body since they are disruptive to your entire internal system, not only the surface layer.
GEO deodorants only include naturally-occurring ingredients, and we aim to use raw, whole-food ingredients that are FDA-approved as edible. Proven to be beneficial to the skin and completely non-toxic to the body, our ingredients are natural substitutes that serve the same active functions (antibacterial, antimicrobial, perspiration absorption, fragrance) as the potentially harmful chemicals found in drugstore deodorants.
References:
[1] Yueh, Mei-Fei, and Robert H Tukey. “Triclosan: A Widespread Environmental Toxicant with Many Biological Effects.”Annual review of pharmacology and toxicologyvol. 56 (2016): 251-72. doi:10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-010715-103417
[2]https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/skin/default.html#:~:text=Dermal%20absorption%20happens%20when%20a,skin%20and%20enter%20the%20bloodstream.
[3] Buoso, Erica et al. “Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals' (EDCs) Effects on Tumour Microenvironment and Cancer Progression: Emerging Contribution of RACK1.”International journal of molecular sciencesvol. 21,23 9229. 3 Dec. 2020, doi:10.3390/ijms21239229
[4] Weatherly, Lisa M, and Julie A Gosse. “Triclosan exposure, transformation, and human health effects.”Journal of toxicology and environmental health. Part B, Critical reviewsvol. 20,8 (2017): 447-469. doi:10.1080/10937404.2017.1399306
