What’s up with Palo Santo + Cultural Appropriation?
If you haven’t tried out our new Limited Edition Palo Santo + Clary Sage, you need to! The reviews are in and it’s unanimously fantastic. We chose Palo Santo because of its antibacterial, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties that make this scent an extra-strength BO buster with staying power. Not to mention its power to purify living spaces, soothe frayed nerves, and delight the senses.
We made sure to source it ethically and sustainably, thanks to our amazing Palo Santo supplier, Sacred Wood Essence. As with all things that come from other cultures, it’s important to treat Palo Santo with respect. Our Palo Santo is sourced from a community that benefits from the business of exporting, takes care of their forests, and is happy to see Palo Santo be enjoyed around the world.
How We're Ethically Sourcing Palo Santo
Is it okay to use Palo Santo? For generations it’s been used by Indigenous Shamans and Healers as a holy way to dispel evil spirits and cleanse negative energy. Palo Santo, translated to “Holy Wood,” originates from Indigenous peoples in Central and South America. It’s known for its presence in traditions and ceremonies as a powerful way to cleanse, clear, and protect.
While this is one of the many incredible ways Palo Santo is used, it isn’t the only one. For example, In Ecuador it’s an integral part of everyday life. Since Palo Santo is rich in limonene, it has strong antimicrobial properties so people will use it to ward off biting insects or kill viruses. Us? We added it to our Pit Liquor formula so it can kill the bacteria in your pits.
Because it is used by Indigenous communities for both sacred work and practical applications, Palo Santo can be appreciated by many people in many contexts. We never want to disrespect the traditional ways in which a plant is used. That’s why sourcing Palo Santo ethically is perhaps one of the best ways to honor it.
We chose our exclusive supplier Sacred Wood Essences because they have a single-source supply and they maintain a longstanding close relationship with their collectors in Sancán, a coastal town in Ecuador.
Sacred Essence employs locals to collect and process the wood right at the source. The indigenous people working are happy to share this plant medicine with the world because they rely heavily on their Palo Santo harvesting skills to make a living. The wood isn’t used in any specific religion or tradition. We love this partnership because we’re directly helping create local abundance in that community while delivering you an incredible and effective natural deodorant.
How We’re Sustainably Harvesting Palo Santo
Ethically sourcing the Palo Santo is one piece of the puzzle but It’s equally important that we’re sustainably harvesting Palo Santo. Sacred Essence never cuts down Palo Santo trees, which is actually illegal under Ecuador’s strict conservation laws. After strong annual storms knock Palo Santo trees down, the fallen wood must remain on the forest floor for up to a decade to allow the aromatic resins to develop and cure. Great things take time and Palo Santo is worth waiting for.
The icing on the cake is that when a Palo Santo tree falls in the Ecuadorian coastal forest, Sacred Essence just plants more. We’re proud to partner with them to bring you one of our best Limited Editions yet. It’s fresh like a forest, with citrus and green undertones, while Clary Sage adds a subtly floral herbal note. Grab yours now while you still can!
For more information on this sustainably harvested wood, check out these videos from our partners at Sacred Wood Essence:
Benzene is Even Worse Than We Thought: New Facts Backed By Science
Can your deodorant really cause cancer? Research says the answer is yes. You may remember that we published a blog on the dangers of benzene back in 2021. Since then, the research and evidence against benzene has grown exponentially. You may want to take a seat because the statistics are quite staggering.
Benzene infiltrates more of the beauty and cosmetics industry than almost any other toxin. After confirming its presence in sunscreens and hand sanitizers, researchers noted that over half of the 108 antiperspirants and deodorants it analyzed showed signs of benzene contamination. That’s practically the entire deodorant aisle at the supermarket!
If you think a little bit of Benzene isn’t a big deal, think again. Benzene is a toxic "class 1 solvent" known to trigger life-threatening diseases such as leukemia, myeloma, and lymphoma. Due to its carcinogenic nature, it has no place in personal care products, and the maximum safety limit for people working with benzene is 0.1 to 1.0 parts per million (ppm).
Out of the 59 contaminated deodorants and antiperspirants tested by independent lab Valisure:
- 24 products had benzene levels between 2.24 – 17.7 ppm
- 14 products registered benzene between 0.20 – 18.89 ppm.
- 21 products showed detectable traces of benzene.
So it not only poses a life-threatening risk to someone using it on their body, but also to anyone handling it in the production process. You’re probably wondering why deodorant manufacturers would choose to use something so toxic in their products. The issue is that it’s not actually an ingredient, it’s likely a result of contamination. Benzene can get into products as a byproduct of the petroleum-based propellants (propane, butane, isobutane) used in aerosol sprays.
Make sure to proceed with caution
Since petroleum-based propellants in aerosol sprays were indicated as the probable source of benzene contamination, avoiding products that include such substances makes perfect sense. Reading product labels is always encouraged so you know exactly what you’re using.
What other toxic ingredients should you avoid in deodorants?
As staples of personal hygiene, deodorants and antiperspirants are essential products that we rely on to stay clean and free of BO. It’s alarming that health specialists have noted several other commonly used chemicals in deodorants that can trigger adverse effects (multiple cancers, neurotoxicity, hormonal disruptions, organ damage, and reproductive issues).
This list consists of:
Benzene-free alternatives aren't hard to come by
Faced with so many health hazards only one spritz away, it's unsurprising that people have been taking heed of the risks they may be exposed to and increasingly seeking out non-toxic alternatives. If you’re feeling hopeless after all of these Benzene facts, don’t fret just yet! What you’re feeling right now is why we created Pit Liquor. Our greatest goal is that you would stay fresh without coming into contact with harmful chemicals.
Natural Deodorants like Pit Liquor are a safe, effective alternative
Given that chemicals lie at the heart of the issue, one sure way to avoid exposure is to choose deodorants that rely on natural ingredients. Instead of life-threatening Benzene, Pit Liquor deodorants are based on overproof spirits like whiskey and vodka that eliminate the bacteria responsible for bad BO. The arrowroot powder and organic tea extracts (Greek Mountain Tea, Sea Buckthorn, Umckaloabo, Elderflower, Gotu Kola) included in our deodorants keep the underarms dry and unwelcoming for bacterial growth. Meanwhile, the essential oils keep you smelling amazing.
the Benzene Deodorant Replacement Campaign
We’re proud to let you know that we’re participating in the Benzene Deodorant Replacement Initiative, launched by Environmental Litigation Group PC, a law firm specializing in toxic exposure. The program seeks to replace benzene-contaminated deodorants with safe substitutes sourced from ethically responsible manufacturers whose offerings are free of hazardous chemicals.
If you’ve read this far, you’re likely ready to try toxin-free deodorant or already a Pit Liquor lover. We bet you know a few people who still need to make the switch to benzene-free products too. We’re here to help you and your friends ditch the toxic chemicals and switch to the best natural deodorant on the market, dare we say in the world. Share this article with that friend and you can both use code NOBENZENE15 for 15% off your purchase.
The Story Behind Blue Lotus
Your Deodorant got an Upgrade
Logos, scents, and formulations may change, but one thing always stays the same: our commitment to quality and safety. Our vetting process for ingredients remains as strict as always. We use 100% pure essential oils. And we test on our CEO—not animals.
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