YOUR GUIDE TO NATURAL ARMPIT CARE Tips and tricks from the armpit experts at Humble Brands
DISCLAIMER: THIS EBOOK DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. The information and materials contained in this ebook are for informational purposes only. The purpose of this ebook is to promote broad understanding of various health related topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen. 2018 Humble Brands. All Rights Reserved. This ebook was published by Humble Brands. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the express permission of the author. First published in the United States by Humble Brands. https://humblebrands.com
TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 1: Introduction 4 Chapter 2: Detox Your Armpits 5 Chapter 3: The Do s and Don ts of Safe Deodorant 9 Chapter 4: Dealing with Anxiety Sweat 11
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION Pores on your skin absorb an average of 64% of the chemicals it encounters. Brown et al. The role of skin absorption as a route of exposure for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in drinking water. Am J Public Health. 1984 May; 74(5): 479 484. And nearly 100% of what we put on our armpits is absorbed into our body! Where does it go after being absorbed? Right into your bloodstream. We think this stinks pretty badly. Which is why taking care of your armpits and choosing a natural way to manage sweat and odor, like a natural deodorant, is so important. This ebook will guide your through making these long-lasting changes to achieve healthier underarms. 100% of what we put on our armpits is absorbed into our body! American Journal of Public Health 4
CHAPTER 2: HOW TO DETOX YOUR ARMPITS One of the things they don t tell you about anti-perspirants is that they interfere with your body s natural process to remove bacteria. Unfortunately, your body has likely become dependent on those chemicals to keep stink at bay. Problem is, these are the kinds of chemicals you re dealing with in most anti-perspirants. Common Anti-Perspirant Ingredients: Aluminum: Some studies have shown a connection between aluminum to cancer and Alzheimer s Disease. Parabens: Disrupts natural hormones and are frequently found in biopsied tissue with breast cancer. Formaldehyde: Known carcinogen that kills germs, but also can kill healthy cells. Phthalates: Natural hormone disruptors that can create an imbalance in your system. Propylene glycol: Otherwise known as antifreeze. Carries a slight risk of being toxic for your immune system. The problem with all these ingredients is that they find their way into your bloodstream. Have you ever noticed that the skin on your armpits feels different than say, the skin on your arms? That thin skin in your armpits is especially susceptible to chemicals seeping through the pores and effecting your lymph nodes. If you re new to natural deodorant, it probably won t work super well to begin with. If only we could drop our conventional deodorant, start using natural deodorant, and immediately start smelling good. 5
Nope! Switching to all-natural deodorant is a process, which is why the detox is so important. There s one guarantee with anti-perspirant: your body will forget how to manage bacteria (and by extension, odor) on its own. Once you ve switched to natural deodorant, and your body gets used to not having those nasty chemicals around, it will naturally correct the bacterial imbalance in your armpits, and your sweat won t smell nearly as bad! Also, just another bit of inspiration, studies have shown that anti-perspirant messes with the natural microbiome of your underarms, causing bacteria to overproduce and make you smell even worse when your body stops depending on chemicals to control odor. This is why the detox period is so imperative! How to Detox Step 1: Ditch the anti-perspirant you re using and get a natural deodorant with good ingredients. The first few days after you stop using your anti-perspirant, your sweat could be extra smelly. Your body is still reliant on the deodorant to balance bacteria levels! Step 2: Follow the tips below to get through detoxing you armpits: 1. Drink plenty of Water: This one is easy. Water helps your body remove everyday toxins in an efficient, natural way. 6
2. Mind What You Eat: Believe it or not, certain foods will change the way that your body odor smells! Gross? Yes. But, now that you know, you can avoid smelling worse than you need to. Foods that make your body odor worse: Onions & Garlic Fish Red Meat Alcohol Junk Food Foods that help reduce the smell of body odor: Citrus Fruits Herbs: Mint, Parsley, Rosemary, cinnamon, Thyme, & peppermint Watercress Kale * Sage can help reduce sweating 3. Dry Off Carefully After a Shower: Bacteria loves warm, moist environments! Which basically describes your armpit after coming out of the shower. Make sure you dry your armpits well, and when you re on the go, wipe off excess sweat in your pits with a paper towel. 4. Get Moving and Sweat: From an early age, we re taught that smelling bad is gross, therefore sweating is gross. We should try to prevent sweating from happening altogether, however this isn t healthy or natural at all! Exercise to break a sweat, and a little time in the sauna can speed up the detoxification process as your body relearns how to control bacteria naturally. Tips for Using Natural Deodorant: Remember that detoxing is a process A little sweat is good for you. If you re not sweating, you re not efficiently removing toxins from your body. If you shave your armpits, shave at night and apply deodorant in the morning to avoid irritation (typically caused by slight exfoliation and reaction to baking soda). 7
DIY ARMPIT DETOX BENTONITE CLAY MASK Directions: 1. Mix all of the ingredients in a small bowl, but make sure to use a non-metal spoon. Keeping mixing until the mixture is nice and creamy. 2. Apply in an even layer over your armpits and let it sit for 5-20 minutes. If you feel a burning sensation, wash off the mask. You my experience some redness with an increases of blood flow to the area, but that will quickly go away. Mask Ingredients 1 Tbsp healing bentonite clay 1 Tsp of apple cider vinegar 1-2 Tsp of water 3. Take a shower and wash off, or use a damp, warm cloth. 4. Repeat until you see results! What makes bentonite clay so cool is the fact that it s made of aged volcanic ash. Its unique composition literally absorbs toxins. Apple cider vinegar, otherwise known as ACV, is a very productive component of the mask. ACV contains tons of enzymes, protein, and probiotic bacteria that gives ACV anti-fungal and antibacterial properties. As a team, ACV and bentonite clay kill bacteria while also removing impurities from your pores! Keep using this mask every day until you see an improvement in your scent. Aim for a week for the best results. 8
CHAPTER 3: THE DO S AND DON TS OF SAFE DEODORANT Choosing deodorant can be tricky, especially when you re looking for a safe deodorant. You hear that certain ingredients are deadly, and other ingredients are good for you, and it s just becoming impossible to remember which is which. The Good Things: Aloe: If you ve ever been sunburned, you ve probably heard of aloe. It s natural, it s effective, it s wonderful. Arrowroot Powder: This little miracle powder is a great moisture absorbing agent. Baking Soda: Probably the most effective safe ingredient in neutralizing odors and absorbing moisture. However, be aware that baking soda allergies are rare, but they happen. Coconut Oil: If there s something coconut oil can t do, when haven t found it yet. Coconut oil moisturizes, soothes irritated skin, and is antimicrobial. Corn Starch: Absorbs moisture in a clean and natural way Essential Oils: The safest method for adding natural fragrance to deodorant. Kaolin Clay: Another great moisture-absorbing agen Witch Hazel: Helps shrink pores (instead of clogging them) to reduce sweating in your pits. Zinc Oxide: Antimicrobial ingredient that keeps your pits clean. 9
The Bad Things: Parabens: Unfortunately parabens are an extremely common ingredient in most cosmetic products, including deodorant. It s not proven that parabens cause breast cancer, but the fact they re linked is enough to be concerned. Aluminum: Clogs sweat ducts and temporarily stops sweat flow. Like parabens, aluminum gets absorbed by your skin and can mimic estrogen cells, which yes, can cause breast cancer Phthalates: Hamper your body s natural ability to control odor and bacteria. Propylene Glycol: Another common ingredient with considerable health hazards. This chemical is considered a neurotoxin, which means it can cause kidney and liver damage. Talc: A known carcinogen when it contains asbestiform fibers. Currently, talc is unregulated in cosmetic products, so it s impossible to know if asbestiform fibers are included. Sulfates: Typically found in car washes, garage floor cleaners, and engine degreasers, sulfates may give a squeaky-clean feel, but can also strip away your skin of natural oils. Alcohol: Many people who have reactions to deodorants find that alcohol is the culprit. Armpits are especially prone to irritations and allergic reactions to due to their thin skin. Be sure to read your deodorant ingredient list, even natural deodorants may have unsafe ingredients. 10
CHAPTER 4: DEALING WITH ANXIETY SWEAT Have you ever noticed that certain sweat smells worse than others? Anxiety sweat smells worse than workout sweat. Turns out that sweat is produced in the body in two different ways. Unfortunately, the sweat process that especially reeks is the one connected to anxiety. Here are a few ideas to help you keep anxiety sweat in check: Take Deep Breaths: Thinking about what s causing you stress will only perpetuate nervous sweat. You need to break away from the mess and take a deep breath. Hold for a few seconds and release. Repeat. Deep breathing slows your heart rate which, in turn, reduces sweating. Stay Hydrated: Your body not getting enough water triggers sweat to help cool you down. If you re hydrated, your body won t feel the need to sweat as much. Avoid Certain Foods and Drinks: There are few foods and beverages out there that inherently induce sweat. When facing a stressful situation, avoid hot and spicy foods and coffee Wear Breathable Clothing: It s no secret that certain clothes make you sweat a ton, and other clothes make you not sweat a ton. Opt for natural fabrics like cotton or bamboo, and whatever you do, avoid synthetic fabrics like polyester. 11
ABOUT HUMBLE BRANDS Humble Brands is dedicated to simple natural ingredients that work. Humble s creator believed the personal care and skin care industry was in need of more all-natural alternatives to the potential risks of major health products in the market. Humble is not only a safer, healthier alternative but has some of the most effective all-natural products in the market. Copyright 2018 Humble Brands