Safe Deodorant for Pregnant Women?

[orange_mommy]

So obviously most mainstream deodorants/ antiperspirants are not cool, since most of them are not fit for even non-pregnant people to use. What I'm wondering is, has anyone found a safe natural deodorant that actually works? And one that is safe for pregnancy, as in not using any of the essential oils that may be questionable during pregnancy, etc? I'm a big lover of essential oils but I know a lot of them have to be eliminated or cut back during pregnancy. I try to stick with as natural of a deodorant as possible, but find myself relying more and more on my mainstream "backup" that I carry in my purse because I don't like being stinky. And I really want to get away from that if possible!

[weliveintheforest]

I use a deodorant crystal, and it works pretty well.
I've seen people here on mdc rave about Funk Butter. I don't think the amount of essential oils in the deodorants you can buy would be harmful. You are not putting the oil directly on your skin, it's diluted in the deodorant.

[Jayray]

I tried a million different natural deoderants and none of them worked for me.

What worked is baking soda. You wet your finger, dip it in some bs and rub it under your arm. It's the best deodorant I've ever used. When I use enough, I have NO STINK at the end of the day.

The best "natural" deodorant I've used is Kiss My Face. But it still didn't work that well.

P.S. My two cents about mineral crystals: they almost never tell you what "minerals" are in them and often they contain an aluminum salt, which is one of the things I try to avoid in conventional deodorant/antiperspirant.

[lillymonster]

I have used the mineral crystal - but on hot days it doesn't work. I also used Kiss My Face active enzyme. Again it's fine as long at it's not hot and humid.

[Plaid Leopard]

I mix baking soda and coconut oil. It works really well for me.

[Cujobunny]

I use the mineral crystal as well and it works great for me.

[rootzdawta]

I'm not pregnant but I've been using Kimberlily's recipe for cream deodorant since I was pregnant with my youngest and it totally does the job. I don't melt and mix it though . . . I let the butter soften and whip it in my mixer. (I don't but the beeswax in).

I also make a variation SunCat's deodorant spray but instead of using ACV, I use 50:50 vodka and water.

[abiyhayil]

I like to rinse my arm pits with diluted apple cider vinegar since I use it for my hair and then use a deodorant, though lately I've been using our california baby aromatherapy oil instead of deodorant.

[Chamomile Girl]

One thing to watch out for is that lots of natural deodorants have sage oil because it works so well...but is not safe for pregnancy or for breastfeeding. I've been using Weleda Citrus Deodorant since I discovered I was pregnant about two years ago (I continue to use it because I'm still breastfeeding). I LOVE it, and it works very well for me. When I worked in HABA sections I got to try every natural deodorant out there, and Weleda is the stuff I constantly turn to (I used to use Burt's Bees, but now that its owned by Clorox I'm reluctant to go back to it). The great thing about Weleda is that their manufacturing and labor practices are top knotch too. They grow most of their own herbs for example (biodynamically at that!).

[Galatea]

Kiss My Face liquid rock roll-on is safe and amazing. OMG it actually works and my pits don't itch, either!!!!!!

[lachingona1]

I make mine, it's simple.

In a small bowl combine 1/4 cup of baking soda with 1/4 cup of corn starch.
Mash in 5-6 tablespoons of coconut oil with a fork, stirring until you get the desired consistency.

I add essential oils, either vanilla, tea tree, or lavender. Works great, even hubby uses it.

Like someone said, watch out for those mineral crystal deodorants, they do contain aluminum.

[St. Margaret]

Unless your crystal says no aluminum, like mine does I actually don't use it right now, but I did like it previously and I still have it-- lasts forever. I got one that specifically goes through on its label about not using any aluminum.

[pacifica]

do any of you all perspire a lot? I have a hard time finding natural/home recipes due to the amount of sweating I do.

[rootzdawta]

Originally Posted by pacifica

do any of you all perspire a lot? I have a hard time finding natural/home recipes due to the amount of sweating I do.

I sweat a lot. There's nothing natural that will control the sweat. But sweat on it's own doesn't stink. It's when it mixes with bacteria that it takes on a scent. So the point is to make the area inhospitable to bacteria.

[menomena]

I've been using Tom's of Maine calendula for five years now. LOVE IT. Even on hot days. I recently learned that Tom's was purchased by colgate, was it? So, that isn't such a boon for them, IMO. I've been thinking about alternatives lately. I've just been considering lavender & TTO EOs for the winter (since there's less sweat) and figuring out something else by summer again...

[HeatherB]

I've been using Nature's Gate herbal deodorant for quite a while, as I'm VERY sensitive to baking soda in deodorants and this was the first one I found that actually seemed to work. Though, truth be told, I think hormonal changes (i.e., when PPAF showed up, when getting pg, etc.) may change what works.

I did once try lemon juice with baking soda. It worked AMAZINGLY well - but I got a horrible rash that didn't go away until I applied, yes, conventional antiperspirant. In fact, that's the only reason I have any in the house - in case I accidentally get that awful rash again and need to kill it.

I used to keep an extra deodorant in the car or purse for applying during the day, but don't bother with it now. Not sure I ought to be or not, but no one has yet complained.

[gummibears]

Hrm I just use what I always use plain ole commercial deoderant. I used that with ds and never gave a second thought to it and he was fine in every way.

[OrangeMoon]

Yeah, I've been making my own and totally love it. Baking soda, coconut oil, and water. It works really well for me too. Better than Tom's which is what I was using before. It feels oddly satisfying whenever I make it

[waterlight]

I actually heard this one from Dr. Christiane Northrup(I listen to her podcasts): Arm & Hammer Essentials. No paraben or aluminum. And I get at Rite-Aid. I'm a very sweaty person, and it works for me (and those around me LOL).

[orange_mommy]

Oh my gosh, thank you SO much everyone! I love love LOVE your ideas! I have baking soda and coconut oil on hand ALL the time so I am going to try something along those lines! You all have awesome ideas!
My lavender essential oil bottle says to avoid during the first trimester, and one of my midwives confirmed that. I am now in the second trimester but being naturally paranoid, I wonder if I should just avoid it altogether?
When I go swimming in certain public pools, I get a nasty rash on my armpits and the only thing to clear it up is to not wear deoderant, and instead to wear plain natural lotion mixed with tea tree oil, applied a few times daily. By default, I found this is awesome for controlling the stink! However I was nervous about using ridiculous amounts of tea tree oil during pregnancy for extended periods of time (usually takes about a week to clear up.) And besides, I sometimes get sick of smelling like a tea tree.