Speed Stick is a deodorant that was introduced in 1963 by The Mennen Company which has now been taken over by the Colgate-Palmolive company.
In 1983, they came up with a new variant called Lady Speed Stick. This is exclusively for women and is available in the form of gel and stick. It was well sought out by women as it fits snugly into their palms and could be carried around easily.
Now, while some deodorants are best avoided during pregnancy, it is safe to say that the Lady Speed Stick makes the cut for pregnant women. It has a safe formulation that is rid of aluminum, dyes, and parabens.
Table of Contents
What deodorants to avoid during pregnancy?
Deodorants usually do not penetrate the skin and are considered safe. But some antiperspirants contain ingredients that are easily absorbed by the skin and put expecting mothers at risk.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is best to avoid products that have parabens, phthalates, aluminum, triclosan, and propylene glycol. These have adverse effects on mother and child.
A good alternative is to opt for deodorants that use vegetable starches, probiotics, baking soda, magnesium, zinc, activated charcoal, essential oils, and plant oils.
Lady Speed Stick Ingredients
There are many variants of Lady Speed Stick deodorants like the Invisible Dry Powder Fresh Clear Deodorant, Power Wild Freesia Invisible Deodorant, and Stainguard Daringly Fresh Deodorant to name a few.
All these variants use the same ingredients except for the one or two components that are unique to the product.
- Palm Kernel Oil
Lady Speed Stick uses Palm kernel oil that is extracted from the Elaeis guineensis seed and prevents itchiness that is caused by some deodorants.
- Stearyl Alcohol
Lady Speed Stick uses Stearyl alcohol as an emulsifier to blend the fragrance into the wax base.
- Cyclomethicone
The use of Cyclomethicone in the Lady Speed Stick improves the product’s texture and enhances its feel on the skin. However, it is suspected to be harmful to unborn children in pregnant women.
- C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate is again an emulsifier that is easily in oil-like products and is used in the Lady Speed Stick to give it a non-oily finish.
- PPG-14 Butyl Ether
This enhances the look of the skin by making it less dry and supple.
- Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Another key ingredient of the Lady Speed Stick is the hydrogenated castor oil obtained from castor beans. This is used for its good moisturizing properties.
- Hydrogenated soybean oil
This oil is extracted from the soybean plant and is saturated by adding hydrogen to make the Lady Speed Stick slide easily. This makes applying the product pleasant.
- PEG-8 distearate
PEG-8 Distearate, polyethylene glycol diesters of stearic acid are FDA approved to be used in deodorants for their assistance in making ingredients more soluble. But they could be damaging when used on broken skin.
- Hydrolyzed corn starch
This is extracted from corn by the method of hydrolysis and is used as a moisturizer in the Lady Speed Stick.
- Behenyl alcohol
Another emulsifier used in the Lady Speed Stick is Behenyl alcohol. It thickens the product aiding it to move smoothly along the skin.
Does Lady Speed Stick have Aluminum?
The Lady Speed Stick does not have aluminum in its composition. Aluminum when used in antiperspirants gets absorbed by the skin to close the pores so as to reduce sweating.
Exposure to excess aluminum can lead to neurological diseases and cancer and aluminum deodorants have been linked to preterm births when used by pregnant women.
Does Lady Speed Stick have triclosan?
Triclosan is a chemical that is used in cosmetics and deodorants for its antibacterial characteristic. It kills the odor-causing germs on the skin.
Though it is considered safe to be used in small amounts, the Lady Speed Stick does not have triclosan.
Triclosan is more harmful to pregnant women as it disrupts the baby’s development and causes hormonal imbalance in the mother. It can also cause a low birth weight of the baby.
Does Lady Speed Stick have Parabens?
Parabens are preservatives used in pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. They are used to prevent the growth of bacteria, yeast, and fungi on the deodorant. They are easily absorbed by the skin and mimic estrogen, obstructing the regular production of hormones.
The Lady Speed Stick does not contain parabens since this preservative is linked to birth defects in unborn children. It may also lead to abnormal weight gain in the mother.
Does Lady Speed Stick have phthalates?
The Lady Speed Stick does not contain phthalates. Phthalates are a group of chemicals used as a solvent and fixative in deodorants.
They are used to limit the volatility of the components in the deodorant and help extend the life of the aroma in the product.
Overuse of phthalates is related to respiratory disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders, and fertility troubles. Phthalates disrupt hormone levels in pregnant women and can result in the baby being born preterm and underdeveloped.
Does Lady Speed Stick have propylene glycol?
Lady Speed Stick does not contain propylene glycol. Propylene glycol is a colorless, odorless liquid with a slightly sweet taste. It absorbs extra water while maintaining moisture in cosmetics. It gives deodorants a slick consistency making them easy to be used on the skin.
When used frequently, Propylene Glycol can cause damage to the heart, liver, and central nervous system. It is particularly harmful to expectant mothers as it is harder for them to break down the ingredient when absorbed by the skin.
Does Lady Speed Stick contain alcohol?
The Lady Speed Stick has two alcohol components in its composition. It uses stearyl alcohol as an emulsifier to mix the fragrance into the wax base. They are beneficial to the skin as they smoothen and heal dry skin.
Lady Speed Stick also has Behenyl alcohol used to thicken the stick and make it easier for application. Unfortunately, it can sometimes be an irritant and cause itching for different skin types.
While it definitely feels like the Lady Speed Stick is safe for pregnant women, it does have its disadvantages when used liberally. It would be in the best interest of mother and child to limit the use of the Lady Speed Stick for special occasions.
References:
- https://www.ladyspeedstick.com/en-us
- https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/browse/brands/200-Lady_Speed_Stick/?brand=Lady+Speed+Stick&category=antiperspirant%2Fdeodorant
- Does Glossier Skincare Have Fragrance? - October 21, 2022
- Is Aveeno Color-Safe? - October 20, 2022
- Is Acure Color-Safe? - October 20, 2022
