Our simple, but yet powerful deodorant is an example of nature’s true strength. By combining the inherit odor preventing properties of potassium alum and expert craftsmanship, we offer a deodorant that is sustainable, effective and a pleasure to use.
Instead of trying to replicate the power of Mother Nature, Haz Handicrafts embraces it. That is why all Haz Handicrafts crystal deodorant products, including our products available through contract manufacturing, private label, and mineral supply, are all guaranteed to be 100% natural and contain no synthetic alum – only 100% unaltered minerals in their pure form. That means no aluminum chlorohydrate, no aluminum hydroxide, no Parabens, and no synthetic fragrances.
You can rest assured that our ingredients are naturally sourced and we are committed to transparency. Natural, sustainable, and responsible guide our development of natural crystal deodorant. As nature has provided a solution to preventing odor, our high quality minerals provide a deodorant that releases nature’s secret, and in our opinion the result is incredibly effective
How Crystal Deodorant Works
In order to understand how crystal deodorants work as an effective deodorant it is important to understand the raw material of crystal deodorants. Natural crystal deodorants are made from potassium alum, which is a naturally occurring mineral salt (sulfate mineral) which typically occurs as encrustations on rocks. It is derived from the oxidation of sulfide minerals and potassium-bearing minerals; and appears as a white to colorless translucent crystalline stone. When it is extracted from the Earth large blocks of potassium alum crystal are shipped to deodorant manufacturers where the blocks are then cut, shaped, polished and packaged to form what we know as crystal deodorants. As the name implies, the potassium alum , otherwise known as crystal deodorant, looks like a crystal, such that it is translucent, colorless and contains small fracture lines, or veins.
Potassium alum has a variety of commercial applications, such as for the use of oral care products used in dental hygiene, water purification, food preservation, and as the active ingredient in natural deodorants. Since all forms of potassium alum are soluble in water, when the stone is wet or applied to wet skin, an invisible, fine layer of the mineral is rubbed off the stone and applied to the skins surface. The mineral layer quickly dries, and rests on the skin as a completely topical layer.
When the human body sweats it is basically just releasing salt and water through sweat glands in the skin. Contrary to popular belief, sweat does not have a distinct smell of its own. The smell associated with sweat is actually caused by bacteria on our skin that eats sweat and excretes waste that has a strong odor. And, yes, everyone has bacteria on their skin, and it is perfectly normal. The bacteria on our skin ordinarily does not produce a noticeable smell, but when sweat is present the bacteria begins to rapidly grow and then produce an unpleasant odor.
Potassium alum is a natural anti-microbial, which means that when it comes in contact with bacteria, such as bacteria in sweat that is responsible for body odor, it inhibits its growth. Therefore, when bacteria is prevented from growing odor is also prevented, all while the body is able to maintain its proper course of eliminating toxins through sweat, as well as controlling body temperature.
How it differs from traditional deodorants and antiperspirants?
Firstly, natural crystal deodorants are just that, natural. And that is the main difference. There are no added chemicals or fragrances. And, as previously mentioned, natural crystal deodorants allow the body to sweat, but without odor. Traditional deodorants use chemical rich fragrances to mask odor and cover up the bad bacteria smell. Antiperspirants block the skin from releasing sweat, thereby inhibiting the bacteria growth process. All antiperspirants have an aluminum-based compound as their main ingredient, such as:
- Aluminum chloride
- Aluminum zirconium tricholorohydrex glycine
- Aluminum chlorohydrate
- Aluminum hydroxybromide
- Aluminum hydroxide (ATH)
The aluminum ions are drawn into the cells that line the sweat gland at the top layer of skin. When the aluminum ions enter into the cells, water passes in with them. As more water flows in, the cells begin to swell, squeezing the sweat ducts closed and preventing sweat from escaping.
The Origins of Crystal Deodorant
Dating back to antiquity, in locations around the Mediterranean and Middle East, people were discovering the inherit properties of the potassium alum mineral crystal. It was found, and has since been thoroughly researched, that the natural occurring form of potassium alum is a powerful odor fighting ingredient. Without any assistance from chemicals or strong scents, the mineral alone was used to prevent body odor. Fast forwarding to modern times, potassium alum deodorant has remained unchanged, and it is still used as an effective natural deodorant, thus the development of crystal deodorant, also know as potassium alum deodorant.
Efficacy
Crystal deodorant made of pure potassium alum is highly effective at preventing odor. Haz Handicrafts crystal deodorant has been clinically proven to provide 24 hour odor prevention. However, not all crystals deodorants are the same. As crystal deodorant is made of naturally occurring minerals, the quality of the deodorant is directly related to the quality of the mineral’s source. Haz Handicrafts extracts its potassium alum from the finest quarries located throughout the World, and performs strict quality control to ensure all our potassium alum deodorant products provide 24 hour odor prevention.
Appearance
When potassium alum is extracted from the Earth it is a translucent crystalline mineral that contains veins or fractures like those seen in marble. The quality of potassium alum can vary from one quarry to the next and so can the appearance. There is a direct correlation between the mineral’s purity and its degree of translucency. The more translucent the mineral crystal is the more pure it is. Therefore, an opaque potassium alum stone, also known as deodorant stone, contains mineral impurities. And a translucent deodorant stone is 100% pure potassium alum and does not contain any potentially harmful impurities.
Potassium alum deodorant is odorless, and soluble in water. When applied to the body as a deodorant, the mineral leaves a virtually invisible non-sticky layer on the skin that leaves no white residue behind
The Link Between Aluminum in Antiperspirants & Parabens in Deodorant and Breast Cancer
The Federal Office of Public Health of Switzerland recently published a report on the link between parabens in deodorants and aluminum-containing antiperspirants and breast cancer. The results demonstrated no link between the two.
In effort to provide some background on the subject, here is a summary:
Aluminum-based compounds are the active ingredients in antiperspirants. They block the sweat glands to keep sweat from getting to the skin’s surface. Some research has suggested that these aluminum compounds may be absorbed by the skin and cause changes in estrogen receptors of breast cells. Because estrogen can promote the growth of both cancer and non-cancer breast cells, some scientists have suggested that using the aluminum-based compounds in antiperspirants may be a risk factor for the development of breast cancer.
Studies have looked at aluminum content of breast tissue, and aluminum absorption through the skin, but no clear link to breast cancer has been made. Researchers continue to look at this possible breast cancer risk factor and more studies are needed. (American Cancer Society)
Parabens in their many forms (methylparaben, propylparaben, ethylparaben, or butylparaben) are a class of artificial preservatives widely used in cosmetics and personal care products that have been are are currently being investigated for their possible role in breast cancer. Parabens mimic the activity of estrogen in the body. Since estrogen promotes the growth of breast cancer cells and a woman is eight times more likely to develop breast cancer in the part of the breast closest to the underarm, scientists are studying the connection.
Although parabens have estrogen-like properties, the estrogens that are made in the body are hundreds of times stronger. So, natural estrogens (or those taken as hormone replacement) are much more likely to play a role in breast cancer development.
Numerous studies have been conducted examining the causation between deodorants and antiperspirants and breast cance. The analysis of all major studies shows conflicting data. Some findings support the hypothesis that there is a direct correlation between deodorant and antiperspirant use and breast cancer, while other research finds no link between breast cancer risk and antiperspirant or deodorant use.
The most highly revered study that has been conducted was a epidemiological study published in 2002 that compared 813 women with breast cancer and 793 women without the disease. The researchers found no link between breast cancer risk and antiperspirant use, deodorant use, or underarm shaving.
