Safe Deodorant for Pregnant Women? - Page 3

[svmaine]

Hey all you lovely sweaty, stinky pit mamas!!  Boy do I have the best deodorant in the world!!  I used Tom's all my life until my first pregnancy and from then on it irritated my pits(and yes they did get bought by Colgate but still have their local factory right in Kennebunk, Maine, FWIW).  So I spent a few years using all kinds of "natural/organic...anything, everything, crystals, nothing worked for my...just ask my husband..."very sweaty, stinky pits"!!  A few years ago I went up to the Common Ground Fair and found a woman there selling deodorants and have been hooked ever since!  She uses a beeswax base and the scents are phenomenal.  Right now I'm hooked on the Balsam Fir, makes me feel like I'm in the middle of the woods.  Her prices are also reasonable and she also sells room sprays that smell awesome, lotions, salves, lip balm, baby shampoo.  Though I found that with her baby items I always got the unscented, the scented ones did seem to irritate my sensitive boys bums.  The only major drawback is if you wear lots of light colored clothes these may not work due to them staining the pits.  I go through lots of Ecover stain stuff on the few light shirts I have but since I don't have much in the way of lighter clothes, I'm too much of a slob, how well it works is so worth it too me.  She also always throws in free samples into her order so you can test out her other products, she's awesome!  Oh...duh...her website is http://www.www.naturallybee-ewe-tiful.com , ENJOY, support a small, locally run business, and smell awesome!!

Sarah

[Queermama]

I'm not pregnant but have struggled with the STINK for so long.  I cannot wear antiperspirant because it leaves a rash and itchy pits.  But all those mentioned Weleda (and at $15 a pop), Tom's of Maine, Kiss my Face - NONE of them have worked for me.  I'm gonna give the coconut oil and baking soda a whirl.  wish me luck!

signed, stinky (no more)!

[Mama-Karin]

Hi! I've got one to add... I absolutely love Arm and Hammer Brand "Essentials Natural Deodorant". Works really well for both me and my hubby (and I've tried a lot too!). I get the unscented kind (it still has a very, very light scent that, to me, is very pleasant). I purchase a 4-pack on Amazon.com, as I don't always find it in the stores. Hope this helps!

[IsabellaES]

Of all the different types of no-aluminum deodorants I’ve tried over the years Deodomom is the only product that has worked for me. Most commercial products include alcohol and most home-made remedies include essential oils and both tend to irritate sensitive skin like mine.

[soygurl]

Originally Posted by 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.

Originally Posted by dayiscoming2006 

Deodorant Recipe

-1/3 cup corn starch
-1/4 cup baking soda
-mix them together
-add about 20 drops of tea tree or lavender essential oil and mix (around 1 tsp is what I used since my oil didn't have a built in dropper)
-mix in enough coconut oil to make a dough-like consistency
-cram it into an empty deoderant container
-refrigerate and use like any other deoderant

 

I've used that before and it works quite well, though it does tend to clog my pores some so I don't use it all the time.

I use a similar recipe, with baking soda, coconut oil, and arrowroot powder (and/or cornstarch), and it works great for me. I just wanted to mention that it is WAY easier to mix up if you melt the coconut oil, rather than trying to mash it into the drys when it's solid. It'll set up on its own in several hours if you're in a cool climate, or just pop it into the fridge or freezer and it'll set up much quicker. 

[dayiscoming2006]

Is potassium alum safe? The natural food store helper said it wasn't the same as aluminum. Is there anything bad with it? 

[~Adorkable~]

Originally Posted by Mama-Karin 

Hi! I've got one to add... I absolutely love Arm and Hammer Brand "Essentials Natural Deodorant". Works really well for both me and my hubby (and I've tried a lot too!). I get the unscented kind (it still has a very, very light scent that, to me, is very pleasant). I purchase a 4-pack on Amazon.com, as I don't always find it in the stores. Hope this helps!

i used to not have an issue with stick, but wow since about halfway thru my pregnancy and now nursing i am soo sticky it's crazy, thank for reminding me about this stuff, i used it once and it worked but i could never find it again, will order some and see if it still works.

[MrsBone]

The only one that works for me and that keeps the smell away(I don't have an issue with too much sweat, just smell) is Arm & Hammer naturals. It's not completely natural, but it works. It doesn't have aluminum or parabens in it, but it still has a little bit of other junk in it.

[kimbersdawnly]

Originally Posted by dayiscoming2006 

Is potassium alum safe? The natural food store helper said it wasn't the same as aluminum. Is there anything bad with it? 

It is at least a skin irritant.  There hasn't been a lot of study, the little available looks nasty enough if you ask me.

http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/ingredient.php?ingred06=705178
 

[dayiscoming2006]

Yeah, I agree, I went internet searching and found enough about it to make me not feel comfortable with it anymore. I went and got a different, better ingredient deodorant at my health food store and hope that'll work fine. 

Originally Posted by kimbersdawnly 

It is at least a skin irritant.  There hasn't been a lot of study, the little available looks nasty enough if you ask me.

http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/ingredient.php?ingred06=705178
 

[BabyFireFly]

Originally Posted by svmaine 

Hey all you lovely sweaty, stinky pit mamas!!  Boy do I have the best deodorant in the world!!  I used Tom's all my life until my first pregnancy and from then on it irritated my pits(and yes they did get bought by Colgate but still have their local factory right in Kennebunk, Maine, FWIW).  So I spent a few years using all kinds of "natural/organic...anything, everything, crystals, nothing worked for my...just ask my husband..."very sweaty, stinky pits"!!  A few years ago I went up to the Common Ground Fair and found a woman there selling deodorants and have been hooked ever since!  She uses a beeswax base and the scents are phenomenal.  Right now I'm hooked on the Balsam Fir, makes me feel like I'm in the middle of the woods.  Her prices are also reasonable and she also sells room sprays that smell awesome, lotions, salves, lip balm, baby shampoo.  Though I found that with her baby items I always got the unscented, the scented ones did seem to irritate my sensitive boys bums.  The only major drawback is if you wear lots of light colored clothes these may not work due to them staining the pits.  I go through lots of Ecover stain stuff on the few light shirts I have but since I don't have much in the way of lighter clothes, I'm too much of a slob, how well it works is so worth it too me.  She also always throws in free samples into her order so you can test out her other products, she's awesome!  Oh...duh...her website is http://www.www.naturallybee-ewe-tiful.com , ENJOY, support a small, locally run business, and smell awesome!!

Sarah

After reading your post I went to her site and ordered a stick of the deodorant as well as one of her cloth wrapped soaps. My Mom has a store in NJ that sells natural body care products and is always looking for fellow small businesses to support so I wanted to test them out. I have for years tried to find a natural deodorant that actually worked - you name it, I've tried it...and still stunk! I placed my order and received the products quickly - along with an additional free bar of soap and a tube of lip balm (that is awesome) BONUS! My husband is on a Patchouli soap kick, and the bars that I have been getting through my Mom's store are almost $10 a pop...turns out he likes the Naturally Bee Ewe Tiful one better, and it only costs $3.50 a bar. Now for the deodorant - IT ACTUALLY WORKED! On the BOTH of us! We gave it the "unfair test" by applying it at the end of the day after we weren't very fresh anymore and it worked! Nevermind that, the next morning it was still going strong. I love it! It totally works! It's a little creamy, so you only need a little bit - I have been just swiping the stick a few times with my finger and then rubbing it on as to not waste it. I can't wait to try more of her stuff and have asked dear old Mom to start carrying her products in the store....especially for the baby items that she carries since some of the other natural baby stuff she has had on the shelves has not "agreed" with my daughter's skin.

[svmaine]

Oh yippeee!!  I'm so glad you're happy with her products, and yes, unbelievable how well her deodorants work, and love her prices.  That would be awesome if your mom would carry her stuff, spread her news and products.  Again just a tip though for her baby products, go with the unscented if your little one is even sensitive to other natural products.  So happy for your family, I'm hooked on her stuff for life!

Sarah

PS.  Her lilac room freshener, and lilac is usually a tough one, smells like you walked in a room filled with blossoms, heavenly!!

[dayiscoming2006]

I decided to order some from her too. Got sandlewood for hubby and lavender for me. Lavender helps keep fungus away besides the grape seed oil she puts in there. Also decided to get her body powder in lavender. Super excited and hope it'll work good.

I had purchased another deodorant at the health food store since this thread started, thinking it was good. I've only used it once and just found out one of the ingredients is terrible. It has zinc oxide...duh, I should have known but for some reason it didn't register before I bought the stuff. Oh well, once the other stuff comes in the mail, it'll say hello to my trash can.

Originally Posted by svmaine 

 ...yes, unbelievable how well her deodorants work, and love her prices.  

Sarah

PS.  Her lilac room freshener, and lilac is usually a tough one, smells like you walked in a room filled with blossoms, heavenly!!

[atlantafemme]

I sweat a lot, being a dog walker in the South, but this stuff works for me: http://www.lafes.com/lafes-natural-deodorant-stone-p-118.html And though I haven't tried it, I noticed that Lafe's has a deodorant specifically geared toward pregnant women: http://www.lafes.com/lafes-organic-mother-deodorant-spray-p-136.html

[Tmama]

I've just been using Tom's of Maine (Lavender scent and its lovely) natural deodorant.  It's aluminum free.  I don't see anything wrong with that.  Hence, I still sweat but I don't think I stink in the least!

[dayiscoming2006]

Originally Posted by Tmama 

I've just been using Tom's of Maine (Lavender scent and its lovely) natural deodorant.  It's aluminum free.  I don't see anything wrong with that.  Hence, I still sweat but I don't think I stink in the least!

One thing I know of that isn't good in Tom's of Maine is "propylene glycol." 

[BabyFireFly]

Originally Posted by dayiscoming2006 

One thing I know of that isn't good in Tom's of Maine is "propylene glycol." 

They use that to make brake fluid, hydraulic fluid and anti-freeze and is a principle component of fiberglass. I think Tom's lists it as "a natural gas from the earth."

[Tmama]

Originally Posted by BabyFireFly 

They use that to make brake fluid, hydraulic fluid and anti-freeze and is a principle component of fiberglass. I think Tom's lists it as "a natural gas from the earth."

Never looked into it that far but I have to believe it's better than the leading mainstream brands (secret, suave etc).  No one said anything harmful about the Arm N Hammer and I have to believe Toms of Maine's products are a bit more natural than an Arm N Hammer product...I would hope at least, LOL.

Either way, I'm still comfortable with my Toms Deodorant considering it doesn't have a lot of nasty stuff in it that most deodorants do.  I do so much to avoid so many harsh chems while pregnant so I have to believe all will be okay!
 

[dayiscoming2006]

Propylene Glycol - potential dangers

http://www.health-report.co.uk/ethylene_glycol_propylene_glycol.htm

http://www.zellers-natural-health.com/all-natural-cleanser.html

"Harmful Chemicals in Deodorants"

There was a more official site I found some of the info for stuff but I can't seem to find it now. Figures.

[svmaine]

Originally Posted by dayiscoming2006 

I decided to order some from her too. Got sandlewood for hubby and lavender for me. Lavender helps keep fungus away besides the grape seed oil she puts in there. Also decided to get her body powder in lavender. Super excited and hope it'll work good.

I had purchased another deodorant at the health food store since this thread started, thinking it was good. I've only used it once and just found out one of the ingredients is terrible. It has zinc oxide...duh, I should have known but for some reason it didn't register before I bought the stuff. Oh well, once the other stuff comes in the mail, it'll say hello to my trash can.

Glad to hear it, I'm sure you'll love it, her sandalwood is wonderful!  I used that for a few years before I got adventurous and tried her Balsam Fir, now I'm hooked on that one.  Let me know what you think of the lavender I haven't tried that one yet.