Recently, we received a product review on Amazon.com for our 100% Confident All Natural Deodorant Spray.

This is the actual review below:

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TRICKED!!!!!! THIS DEODORANT WORKS!! IT SMELLS GREAT !!!! IT CONTAINS ALUMINUM !!!!!! YES, YOU HEARD CORRECTLY. I FINALLY DID SOME RESEARCH ON ONE OF THE INGREDIENTS. NAMELY : AMMONIUM ALUM !! IT IS LISTED AS A MINERAL SALT, BUT TYPE THE FOLLOWING INTO GOOGLE: ” WHAT IS AMMONIUM ALUM “, AND WAIT TO YOU SEE WHAT THE ANSWER IS!! AMMONIUM ALUMINUM SULFATE ( NH4 )AI(SO4)2 I THOUGHT I HAD SOMETHING GREAT HERE!! I GUESS NOT!! THE SEARCH CONTINUES !!!

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Here is the actual link for this review: http://www.amazon.com/review/R3FVONMYIX8ED1

Here is our response – which we thought would be very informative to anyone who is still confused with all the misinformation on the internet regarding this.

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Thank you J.C.M. for your comment. We are thrilled & delighted that you feel 100% Confident Deodorant Spray WORKS …and that it smells GREAT! Over the last 17 years, we have been blessed and honored to have thousands upon thousands of happy odor-free customers who feel the same about this wonderful, natural deodorant.

We sincerely apologize because you were not clearly informed on the ingredient `Ammonium Alum’ in 100% Confident Deodorant Spray. Thanks to your feedback, we will be clearly and expressly providing more information on `Ammonium Alum’ in the ingredient section for this product. If you feel that 100% Confident Deodorant Spray did not fully satisfy you completely, please let us know and we will promptly give you a refund. We constantly strive to completely satisfy and delight our valued customers.

We want to take this opportunity to provide you and others who may be reading this note more detailed information and facts regarding the ingredient Ammonium Alum. The internet is awash with a lot of propaganda and misinformation surrounding Ammonium Alum. Yes, you are correct in that another name for Ammonium Alum is Ammonium Aluminum Sulfate with the chemical formula: (NH4)AI(SO4)2.

However, Ammonium Alum is very different from Aluminum Metals that are thought to be harmful such as Aluminum Cholorohydrate, Aluminum Zirconium or Aluminum Chloride. These are commonly found in most commercially available antiperspirants – BUT NOT IN Vi-Tae 100% Confident Deodorant Spray.

To imply that Ammonium Alum is harmful because its chemical formula contains `AI’ (Aluminum) is like saying that common table salt is harmful because its formula contains `Na’ (Sodium) and `Cl’ (Chloride). The formula for Table Salt is NaCl. Sodium by itself is an alkali metal and when exposed to moisture, it essentially explodes. Chloride by itself is very dangerous. Liquid chlorine burns the skin and gaseous chlorine can be fatal after a few deep breaths.

We all know that table salt is harmless. However, most of us do not have a PhD in Chemistry – and if we are not discerning and paying attention, we can easily fall prey to misinformation – especially when chemical formulas and complex technical language is sprinkled in to give the illusion of educated authority.

THE FACTS:

Ammonium Alum is used in many situations and many purposes including the following:

-Purification of drinking water

-In medicine – to stop bleeding from minor cuts

-Adjuvant in vaccines (chemical that enhances immune response)

-Pickling agent to help keep pickles crisp (you can buy this right here on Amazon)

-Component in baking powder

-Ingredient in hair removal waxes, toothpaste, deodorant crystal `rock’

Ammonium Alum is comprised of naturally occurring salt crystals that form in the mineral Tschermigite. It has never had any toxicity registered for humans or animals, and is actually found everywhere in nature.

Humans ingest between 20-60 milligrams of Alum a day in the air we breathe, the foods we eat, and the water we drink. In its natural form, it is one of the most abundant elements on the planet and one of the basic building blocks of our surroundings.

It makes up about 8% of the Earth’s crust, and can be found in soil and clay.

It has been part of the environment longer than humans have, and is labeled as non-toxic. Ammonium Alum has been used for over 2000 years for its odor reducing effects. First known use in China & Egypt.

In the United States & Europe, Ammonium Alum has been used in natural deodorants for the last 20 years, and is recognized as being very effective in the health and nutrition industry. There’s no better evidence, then the true test of time.

Ammonium Alum in deodorant wasn’t really an issue until 1999. That’s when an email hoax was widely circulated that shaving, along with deodorants and antiperspirants caused tumors and cancer. It wasn’t until 2002, that the rumor was quashed. Scientist Dana Mirick’s team at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle did a study comparing 800 women with breast cancer, against 800 random women of similar age.

They found no evidence of any correlation between deodorant and cancer. The study can be found in the Journal of National Cancer Institute (JNCI). Ammonium Alum is a large molecule (500+ Daltons [Dalton is a measure of molecular weight]) – too large to cross the skin barrier and thus cannot be absorbed by the body. Unlike Ammonium Alum, the processed Aluminums of Aluminum Cholorohydrate and Aluminum Zirconium have molecules small enough (200-300 Daltons) to actually penetrate the skin and end up in the bloodstream. Vi-Tae 100% Confident Deodorant Spray DOES NOT contain these smaller, processed aluminum molecules.

Ammonium Alum In Deodorant – The Facts Ammonium Alum works through what is known as bacteriostatic action. This simply means the compound does not clog your pores. It only stays at the surface and kills bacteria that cause odor.

When Alum is applied to the skin it acts as a coagulant, which means it constricts the protein in the area (the food the bacteria feed on). Therefore, the bacteria die out, and the odor is reduced. The salt molecules in the Alum create a shield on the skin, which keep bacteria from forming by reducing moisture, as well as raising the PH levels. Bacteria hate high PH! Our product, 100% Confident Deodorant Spray, is an invisible spray that is easily applied, made for all skin types, and leaves no trace of residue on your clothing. It can be used on the arms, feet, or hands and is quick drying. It has been sold in high-end spas & resorts for over a decade.

Our natural deodorant does not contains synthetic oils, emulsifiers, solvents, or any other chemical additive. It is formulated with a higher potency of active ingredients like: essential oils, algae, and botanical extracts, for faster and better results. 100% Confident has long lasting protection, and is just as effective in warm temperatures and active lifestyles, as any other synthetic brand. We thank you again for your comment as it has allowed us to fully explain what a great deodorant product we offer, and the natural ingredients we use in it. Ammonium Alum has withstood the test of time, has a proven track record, and is an effective compound in our organically derived products. We pride ourselves on the continued health of our customers, and creating a synthetic free environment for all.

We thank you for your continued support and for the opportunity to serve you.

Sincerely, Elizabeth Robinson

President, Vi-Tae

References:

Dana Mirick’s – Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle – 2002 Actual Journal http://jnci.oxfordjournals.org/content/94/20/1578.full

Green People http://www.greenpeople.co.uk/info_features_deodorants.aspx

New Scientist http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn4587-deodorants-plus-shaving-linked-to-breast-cancer.html#.UuqasD1dVtg

The F Word – Natural Deodorants http://www.thefword.org.uk/reviews/2004/03/natural_deodora

Biznet – History of Alum http://www.biznet1.com/deodorant/history.html

Matthew Guske – Simplifying Deodorant http://matthewgustke.com/2013/04/14/simplifying-deodorant/