Kids’ Body Odor and Safe Deodorants

Did you know that naturally occurring bacteria on the skin, not sweat, is what creates the dreaded funkiness commonly known as BO? As children approach puberty, hormones cause an increase in sweating which then results in body odor. If your child’s body is changing and you notice this smell, is it safe for him or her to use deodorant?

Deodorants work by making the skin a more acidic, unfriendly environment for the bacteria. Non-natural commercial deodorants contain several ingredients that you would want to avoid. They include:

Aluminum compounds (associated with Alzheimer’s) that can accumulate in the brain.
Parabens, a class of preservatives that are being studied to determine if they play a role in breast cancer development.
Propylene glycol, a neurotoxin that causes dermititis and kidney and liver damage.

Natural deodorants do not include any of the aforementioned ingredients, and will be a great starting place for kids. You might want to check out Crystal Body Deodorant, made of 100 percent natural mineral salts with no artificial coloring or ingredients, or Alba Clear Enzyme Deodorant Sticks, available in scented and unscented varieties.

Homemade deodorant solutions can be made using easily accessible ingredients such as witch hazel or baking soda. For easy do-it-yourself recipes, click here.

In addition to using a natural deodorant, washing with a soap that contains a pure, antibacterial essential oil in it such as lavender (Dr. Bronner’s is easily found in most health food stores) can help. Commercial antibacterial soaps contain triclosan, a compound that the EPA has registered as a pesticide. Avoid these.

Another help can be found by wearing breathable organic cotton fabrics which absorb sweat in a way synthetics don’t. They also do not contain the dangerous pesticides found in their non-organic counterparts.

If your child still has BO after these tips, ask their physician to check for possible reasons. Excessive sweating can indicate low calcium, but it can be a sign of other concerns too.

Finally, there is also a very real difference between deodorants and anti-perspirants. While deodorants neutralize odors, anti-perspirants actually block pores with aluminum salts, preventing sweating from occurring. To avoid those aluminum salts and interfering with the body’s natural cooling process, a natural deodorant is the way to go.

By Terri Hall-Jackson, Care2 Green Living contributing writer

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Jene B.

3:18PM PST on Feb 9, 2012

I use Chrystal Essence. It comes in wonderful scents. My favorite is the Pomegranate.

send a green star

Lost A.

2:55PM PST on Feb 9, 2012

Thank you.

Tim C.

12:00PM PDT on Nov 1, 2011

Terri thanks

Maria O.

8:04AM PDT on Aug 31, 2011

I like a deodorant from a comany called PrimaJolie. It is very pure and really works.

Ashley S.

8:11AM PDT on Mar 15, 2011

My sister uses a cream deodorant called Deodomom for my nephews and herself. According to her it’s the best product she has found on the market that is toxic free and actually works too. Apparently it has no fragrance and therefore good for the sensitive skin of kids. I don’t use it myself (regular deodorants – not the aluminum-based antiperspirants – work ok for me), but their website provides some good information on affects of excess aluminum on human body and differences between deodorant and antiperspirants. www.30someweeks.com

Freida F.

6:07AM PST on Dec 14, 2010

under-arm odor is certainly a discussion parents should have more of. which ones to use and not to use. "GrowingBasics" works for my kids and me. It's natural and designed specifically for Kids and youn Teens. But I use it too :)
growingbasics.com

Melissah C.

9:40PM PST on Dec 13, 2010

thanks

Diane I.

12:56PM PDT on Oct 25, 2010

Kids and deodorant is a good subject. I have a 14 yr old son - whew!! He is using a great deodorant by In Love With Body Care (which I also use:) If he forgets to put it on and starts to have an odor, I'll have him slap some on and the odor will go away within minutes! The ingredients are excellent and it does not stain. I would not let him use the crystal stone because it is actually an aluminum salt and I don't want him to have any of that and this deodorant actually works way better for me than when I used to use the stone. They have an alternative label called "Tough Love" that he likes the looks of.

Scott V.

8:56PM PDT on Sep 11, 2010

Big ERROR! Male children should NOT be exposed to lavender.
Lavender has been linked with estrogen production in males.

Past Member .

10:22AM PDT on Aug 26, 2010

I have done a lot of research on when kids should start using deodorant. In my opinion if the kids are using a safe natural deodorant it should be whenever the children begin to develop odor that showering once a day will not contain. This can be 5 years old or earlier in some cases. I have spoke to preschool teachers who year after year have a large percentage students who do have body odor. I have read many conflicting articles that link or do not link body odor with puberty. I honestly think that it has very little to do with puberty at all. Instead I think it has more to do with diets. Not that an unhealthy diet will make a child smell and a healthy diet will not. I think it has a lot more to do with spices that are used in the meals. It a

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