Posted byI was wondering if we could talk about deodorant?
I sweat a lot, but I try to avoid aluminum-based deodorants/antiperspirants. I like Tom’s of Maine for non-sweaty days. But I’m a teacher and I usually resort to Secret or something else standard on the days that I’m teaching (teacher pit stains are the worst!).
Sometimes even that doesn’t cut it, but I really hated the “clinical strength” over-the-counter deodorant that I tried.
I would love to hear about other Homies’ antiperspirant solutions — particularly of the offbeat or non-aluminum based variety. -Maryanna
I was wondering if we could talk about deodorant?
I highly recommend Lush’s T’eo Deodorant. It smells good and works well to netralize odors. You might need to reapply a bit more often if you are sweating a lot, but it works quite well. Just be sure to apply it when your underarms are mostly dry. If you get the bar wet, you’ll need to break off a layer to get it to go on properly again.
A while ago I used Tom’s of Maine Natural Long Lasing Deodorant Roll-On (the unscented kind). I recently found a tube I hadn’t finished using, and tried using it again. It worked well, but this time I discovered it had an undesired side effect, it made my underarm skin peel. We’re talking serious peeling, sheets of skin like a sunburn. I looked on the internet to see if I could find anything about this, and it seems that peeling skin is a common side effect of one of their ingredients: zinc ricinoleate. It also makes some people itchy and causes a burning sensation. It took weeks for my skin to get fully back to normal after I stopped using this deodorant.
So, be cautious with any deodorant that contains zinc ricinoleate if you don’t know your reaction to it.
Ooh, I kinda wanna try the lush deodorant. Look how cool it looks!
Thanks for all of these great suggestions so far. There are so many options!
Poofy Organics works great for me: http://www.poofscloset.com/servlet/the-642/*Poofy-Organics*-MAX-DEO/Detail
also use home made with arrow root powder, cornstarch, coconut oil, and baking soda
I personally like Herban Cowboy deodorant. They make a stick version for girls too that smells like flowers. I’m not very sweaty, but I do teach yoga and don’t want to be stinky. This seems to do the trick. http://www.herbancowboy.com/
It’s not an anti-perspirant, but as a deodorant I use Alvera roll-on. I really like the aloe and almonds one. I have the same issue as you, though. I sweat A LOT, and I have a weird imbalance where I sweat more under my right arm, so there is usually a mark there even when I’m not warm and there is not mark under the other arm, heh. I also work with kids, teaching outdoor education. When I’m around little kids I don’t care, really. If they point out that I am sweating, I just say, “Yep! That happens!” If it’s older kids (like, 10 and up), though, and I know it’ll affect how they interact with me more, I honestly just wear a black shirt so the marks don’t show. Wish I could be more help, heh. I’ve tried all sorts of natural antiperspirants but they’ve never worked for me.
I am allergic to the Secret brand of deodorant, so I’ve had to resort to other brands. A few brands I have used include Crystal Essence (which contains no aluminum) and Lady Speed Stick. However, I will say that Lady Speed Stick has worked best for me.
The reason I stopped using aluminium is because it blocks your pores and keeps the toxins in – and all antiperspirants are going to do that. I agree with so many others here that after just a short while, I sweated so much less and even stank so very much less once I switched to natural deodorant. I do still get a bit sweaty in summer – but less than I did on antiperspirants(!), and I’d rather choose dark or flowy tops than risk retaining toxins.
I found Lavanila to be really good.
My husband and I use milk of magnesium. (Yes, the stuff you find in drugstores) It was a little tricky to use at first, but you just have to rub it in a little and you are done.
I don’t remember where we got the idea to use it from, but we have no problems with B.O. like we use to after a long summer’s day with the regular deodorant. I doesn’t leave any residue if you rub it in enough/wait for it to dry before putting on a shirt.
Plus you can’t argue with $2 a bottle.
I use that too! I’ve tried so many different natural deodorants and the only thing I’ve found to work is Milk of Magnesia. Just spread a very thin layer on your underarms, let it dry for a few minutes and you’ll be dry and odor free alllll day. Just make sure the only ingredients your Milk of Magnesia contains is magnesium hydroxide and filtered water. If it says anything about sodium hypochlorite (bleach) run away fast; don’t get it! Here is the brand I use: http://www.amazon.com/GoodSense-Magnesia…/dp/B000V9N5UW
I’m so grateful for this discussion! So many deodorants to try. I’ve used Tom’s and/or Crystal Essence for a few years now and they tend to wear off throughout the day and certainly don’t last through a workout. Lavanila had nice scents but didn’t work as good as Tom’s or CE for me. I have to say the milk of magnesium suggestion makes sense. It is used by some makeup artists to prime the face and prevent oils from coming through foundation.
I use Herbal Magic Roll On Deodorant by Home Health Products For Life. It’s the most ridiculous name, I know. It works pretty well. I’m just a very smelly person, and it works really quite well at cutting down the stink. Doesn’t help at all with the sweat, but I don’t want to use aluminum (even the amount of aluminum in the salt-crystal deodorants), so it’s good enough for me. It’s mainly a baking soda, witch hazel, and aloe based deodorant, and I’m really happy with the ingredients list.
I developed an allergy to antiperspirants a couple years ago and was forced to switch to aluminum-free deodorants. I tried TOMS and Jason brands first, and they were terrible (I retried them later, and still had bad luck with them.) For a while I was using an Adidas deodorant and then my grocery store started stocking an Arm & Hammer aluminum-free deodorant and so far I love it the most. I still carry an extra one with me in my purse, though. I get sweaty at work and need to refresh it sometimes.
Arm & Hammer is amazing! Their various types have similar color schemes, and not all are aluminum-free, so look for the Essentials Deodorant with Natural Deodorizers (cap sticker says aluminum and paraben free). It uses baking soda and plant extracts to keep your smell at bay, and even though it’s not an antiperspirant I find I sweat much less with this than with other deodorants. I’ve been using it for a couple of years now and still love their Fresh scent. I keep an extra stick with me wherever I go just in case, but I rarely need to refresh it. It’s also really inexpensive, and while it was hard to find when I started using it I’m starting to see it in more and more groceries and pharmacies.
http://www.armandhammer.com/personal-care/antiperspirants-deodorants/Products/arm-and-hammer-essentials-solid-deodorant-fresh.aspx
In contrast, I have tried Tom’s with middling success– even if you like it I’d recommend avoiding their lemongrass scent, as it smells nice in the container but is amplified by your body heat until it smells like a candy factory.
My sister and I have also tried the Crystal body deodorant stick (like a salt stick, essentially), and were disappointed with it– it controls the smell for a short time, but we both sweat like crazy while using it and pretty much canceled it out.
whoa, i’m surprised nobody has mentioned my two favorites: earth science brand tea tree and lavender, and salubritas rosemary sage.
proof that they work? i spent 4 years as a river guide and a wilderness guide with little opportunity to bathe. i can’t say i never stink, but these are the only deodorants i’ve used for 15+ years, and they definitely work well.
i’ve tried the toms and the jason brands and found them to be too slimy or too dry and wholly ineffective.
good luck!
http://earthsciencenaturals.com/product/245/Deodorant-Tea-Tree-%26-Lavender-2.45-oz.-.html
http://www.salubritasbody.com/Products.html
I just commented about the Earth Sciences tea tree & lavender! favourite forever 🙂
Believe it or not, I use coconut oil only as deodorant, and it works quite well! To be fair, I am not a very sweaty person. If it doesn’t seem to be enough for some reason I sometimes mix in some baking soda, but usually coconut oil on its own works just fine.
I do the same thing. Just a little coconut oil, I leave it on for a few minutes, and then blot any excess off so it doesn’t get on my clothes. It works awesomely well. If I ever try to go back to antiperspirant I always regret it.
adidas makes a cotton based deodorant for women. its not sticky like toms.
Tom’s makes me break out in the worst rash. My skin peels off and I got hard, cyst-like bumps that were really painful! On top of that, it wore off so quickly! I am now using Soapwalla Deodorant Cream and am hoping we have a long future together! LOL I wore nothing for two weeks to let my skin heal after the Tom’s dilemma (it was a long and smelly couple of weeks) and after 1 week using Soapwalla I have no skin peeling or rash. I do have some tiny pimple like bumps under one of my arms, but I can’t tell if it’s from the new deodorant or just coincidence. It’s definitely not painful like the rash from Tom’s. The application of Soapwalla (with your fingers) takes some getting used to if you are a life-long deodorant stick user, but it was only weird the first couple of times. Now it’s no biggie!
You can check it out here:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/35641572/deodorant-cream?utm_source=google&utm_medium=product_listing_promoted&utm_campaign=bath_and_beauty_low&gclid=CKevqLPSqroCFcZFMgodmVAAKQ
Good luck!
It’s a bit pricey, however, the Lavanila Healthy Deodorant is the shit! http://www.lavanila.com
I’ve used the Vanilla Lavender scent and it was the best natural deodorant I’ve tried (and I’ve tried quite a few!) I have CP which means I expend energy doing things that seem easy to others, and in general I expend about 10x the energy of a non disabled person. This leads to a lot of stinky sweat. The Lavanila kept me smelling fresh throughout the day, though I did usually apply it a second time if it was too warm out. Hope this helps!
I am a huge fan of Lavanilla! I tried Toms and it left me smelling funky after a few hours. This stuff is worth the price! I’ve also used Ava Andersons deodorant but I still prefer the Lavanilla.
Aluminum deodorants usually make me itchy, so I’ve gone through a slew of all natural ones: Arm & Hammer Natural, Tom’s of Maine, some sort of herbal one in a yellow stick, Dessert Essence (with Tea Tree Oil), the crystal one that’s basically a bar of salt that you wet before using, the spray version of the crystal one….
The only all natural one that I’ve found that will get me completely through the work day without getting stinky again is Silver Shield, original formula. It’s a small roll on, so you kind of go through them fast, but they work the best for me.
I hands down recommend Schmidt’s Deodorant:
“Crafted by hand in the Pacific Northwest, Schmidt’s Deodorant is made from a signature blend of 100% all natural ingredients that really works. Our formula effectively neutralizes underarm odor and absorbs wetness without the use of aluminum or other harmful chemicals. With a unique and enticing range of natural scent combinations like Bergamot + Lime, Cedarwood + Juniper, Ylang-Ylang + Calendula, Lavender + Sage and Fragrance-Free, Schmidt’s Deodorant is a true pleasure to wear. We are proud to offer a product that is vegan, cruelty-free, propylene glycol-free, paraben-free and phthalate-free.”
My favorite scents are Ylang-Ylang+Calendula and Lavender+Sage. Check them out at http://schmidtsbeauty.com/Schmidts_Beauty/Home.html.
I second this!! I live in the Portland area, and it’s made here and I love to support local, but this stuff really, really, REALLY works.
I’m a stinky chick and no matter what I used in the past, I was funkado by the end of the day. This product not only keeps me stank free, but on the occasion that I chose not to shower for a day or two (don’t judge), it lasts for nearly 2 days. No lie. I will honestly never use anything else!
I’ve tried using the salt rock that I’ve seen advertised, but my armpits were rubbed raw. Is this going to happen with any of the suggested deodorants? I am smelly too but really want to use something without aluminum.
A teacher my Mom had in college, several years ago, said using deodorant with aluminum is the same as spray painting your underarms with professional aluminum paint. Scary when you think of it like that.
For me, I alternate between homemade (I started with a recipe from Crunchy Betty, and then adjusted it until it was perfect for me) and that ‘Crystal’ stuff that comes in purple packaging (when I’m lazy and haven’t made a new batch)… Not really sure of the actual brand name, but it is aluminum-free.
One thing I’ve discovered very recently though is that my diet can affect how badly I need deoderant. When I was Ovo-Lacto-Pescetarian (I ate dairy, eggs, fish but not other meat for a few years) I very rarely even needed deoderant at all – except maybe on really hot days or if I was working out or something specific – but that all changed when I started eating red meat again. I didn’t notice much of a difference when I added chicken back into my diet, but with red meat it’s obvious. If I eat red meat, I stink by mid-day for about a week to follow.
I love when I can find clear connections like that between what I eat and how my body reacts – helps me build guidelines about what food choices are right for me.
This inspired me to order some new deodorant (a coconut/arrowroot/essential oils mix). I had a pretty good experience with the soapwalla one, but it seems to have gone missing in my transatlantic move 🙁
I am prone to underarm cysts, and I wonder if aluminum antiperspirants contribute to that? Do any other homies have the same problem?
I use Arm & Hammer Essentials Solid Deodorant. It is just a deodorant, not an antiperspirant. It has no aluminum or parabens. I find it works well and is affordable.
They also have an antiperspirant available, but I think it has aluminum.
I encourage you to do your research tho, cause I’ve heard Tom’s has some questionable practices, and I’ve heard that the FDA is looking into an ingredient called triclosan in the deo I use. It is an antibacterial agent that is found in everything from toothpaste to toys and kitchenware, but some people are worried about its possible side effects.
Basically, I find this forum to be a good starting point, but additional research never hurts.
I use the L’Occitane Verbena product: http://www.beauty.com/loccitane-en-provence-verbena-cooling-deodorant-stick/qxp221008
Or
Pit Powder: http://www.isabellacatalog.com/p/Pit-Powder-Deodorant.cfm?tid=618020502&zmam=7946946&zmas=3&zmac=253&zmap=15611&zmam=7946946&zmas=3&zmac=2&zmap=15611
Second one stops only scent. They aren’t heavy duty solutions but certainly I hope are helpful
Ooh I know this one! Earth Science lavender & tea tree oil deodorant! (http://www.vitacost.com/earth-science-natural-tea-tree-deodorant-lavender). It is the ONLY thing that will make me not stinky — the tea tree oil is a natural antibacterial agent (I’m pretty sure), so it kills the stink-making buggers. Also it smells lovely but subtle and inoffensive. And it lasts really well!
Keep in mind, though, that your body will need about a two-week adjustment period — switching between chemical & natural deodorants is one of the worst things to do stink-wise, at least in my experience.
I love love love the unscented liquid crystal deoderant by the rocky mountain soap company. I am extremly sensitive to fragrance and chemicals and it is the best I’ve found..