Is there a non-toxic deodorant that actually *works*? - Page 2

[Scarlettmoon]

Originally Posted by P.J. 

Originally Posted by Scarlettmoon 

I wasn't sure if you would want to make your own, but this is the one I make.  Hubby and I both use it, and I've been super happy with it.  I have always had trouble with deodorant's and anti-perspirants, so I decided to try this one after the rave reviews.  There was a short adjustment period, where I didn't think it was working (a few days), and then it was over and it's been wonderful ever since.  Here it is incase you would be interested.

http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2010/02/homemade-all-natural-deodorant.html

One thing: it seemed a little too oily as I was making it so I added more cornstarch and a little more baking soda, and it seemed perfect. Well, after packing it into a jar and waiting a day to use it, I realized it really hardens a lot when left to sit. So now it's a little too hard and gets kind of crumbly when I scoop it out....I guess packing it in an old deo stick holder would work the best in this case, so I'll do that next time.

I didn't even think to post that it hardens more after it sits- sorry about that.  :)  I keep it in a glass jar with a lid and just scoop a bit out everyday and use it like lotion on my armpit.  The stuff is amazing, it really is.  Glad you liked it.  I have family members that want me to make them some, so I think I'll put it in pretty jars and add it to their Christmas gift this year, along with the recipe.
 

[GreenRose]

I want to try those recipes now!

But in case you're in love with roll-ons, I HIGHLY recommend Terressentials deoderant (one of the very few 100% natural and 100% organic companies out there) I've tried all the other natural ones, but this is the only one that works: http://www.terressentials.com/bath.html#deo

[kismetbaby]

I'm so excited to try the make-it-yourself deoderant!  I tried every natural deoderant out there and nothing worked for me but the crystal. Then I got lazy and went back to regular anti-perspirent.   But I'd really love to go back to something natural if it really works! 

[JudiAU]

So after YEARS of struggling with this I found the best every natural deodorant on etsy from soapwalla. Not only does it work super well, no bo, but it doesn't react with skin to create smellier-than-bo stink AND it cured my Tom's of Maine rash. DH likes it too. No adjustment period.

I actually bought several to give to family members this year.

[saritajoy]

Ooh, I'm excited about the make-it-yourself recipe. 

But I'm a busy mama who works a lot, so will for the moment just chime in with YinYang's post:
 

Originally Posted by YinYang 

I swear by Funk Butter.  I always get the Black Cedar Fig scent as it works best for me and I like the smell (and it doesn't irritate me). 

Love love love it!  I have been using it for nearly 3 years (since pregnancy where I found it recommended here on the Mothering forums) and swear by it.  I've gotten several friends hooked too!

[Golden]

Originally Posted by JudiAU 

So after YEARS of struggling with this I found the best every natural deodorant on etsy from soapwalla. Not only does it work super well, no bo, but it doesn't react with skin to create smellier-than-bo stink AND it cured my Tom's of Maine rash. DH likes it too. No adjustment period.

I actually bought several to give to family members this year.

Does this stain the armpits of your knit shirts at all? I had a natural deoderant that I loved, but it left dark stains, kind of oily, probably due to the natural oils in it.
 

[Smokering]

I tried a bunch of aluminium-free and crystal deodorants, and found most worked for a while but stopped after maybe a month or so... and some just didn't work at all. I have four half-used bottles in my bathroom cupboard... should probably throw 'em out! One's tea tree oil-based, one's a spray version of crystal deodorant... can't remember the others. I also used a crystal stone once, but it stopped working after a bit and also developed hairline cracks in it, which sliced up my armpits when I tried to use it. Ow.

Then I discovered baking soda mixed with coconut oil, and it WORKS! I mean, I still have to shower - it's not like one of those industrial will-kill-the-smell-of-a-sewage-plant types. But it stops me ponging. :) And it's worked consistently for a few months now.

Only... I've just recently noticed a rash or discolouration or something on my armpits. Anyone know what this might be? I'd hate to have to stop using my mixture - it's so cheap and handy!

I have heard someone say that plain coconut oil works as well - presumably due to its antimicrobial properties or something? Haven't tried it. You can mix EO with the oil too, but I'm pregnant so trying to avoid essential oils. I've used just plain baking soda in the past, but it didn't work for me - for one thing, it was a pain to pat on, and could easily leave odd clumps and streaks of whitish powder, and for another thing it didn't really stop me smelling.

[JuliMummy]

I just use straight baking soda, which works fine for me, but I don't generally sweat a lot and only get smelly if I have a cold or something like that. 

[Veslemor]

The one that always works for me is by EarthScience, made with lichens (which they spell "liken" on the front of the container).

I have a new favorite product that I use under my arms that seems to work also as a deoderant, which has the added benefit of boosting your bodies' magnesium levels (which is why I use it).  The hands-down best price I've found is here  http://www.swansonvitamins.com/SWU481/ItemDetail?n=0

It is bottled by a German woman, so it is likely available to you for domestic purchase as well.  A quick snippet on magnesium supplementation:  For me, it was the only thing that helped for bone healing in a broken leg, lessens chronic pain (especially nerve), gives me more energy, lessens brain-fog, and I no longer suffer any PMS or menstrual cramping.

It's a fairly salty solution (probably why it works as a deodorant, like the Crystal one), so if you shave and get any nicks, you will be made aware of them by the salty sting.

[Veslemor]

I always hear whispers on natural-type forums that Arm and Hammer baking soda has aluminum in it.  It's not on the package, and even Dr. Mercola was asking on his site whether anyone knew that it was so.  So I guess what I'm doing is spreading a rumor :P, but it's something for people to think about when choosing a brand of baking soda.

[blizzard_babe]

The two I've found that work for me are Funk Butter (Oyin Handmade is the company) and the Jason stick deodorant. Kiss my Face is worthless against my stank, personally.

[ThreeJane]

I end up rotating through several different types, and I concur about Tom's of Maine that others have noted...it works for one day then it cranks up my natural stink BIG TIME!  Crystal stone works for a while then foop!  Stops working.  So I keep doggedly rotating through my stuff, then buy a few more to mix into the rotation, and keep going from there.  Someday I will find my Holy Grail of natural deos, until then, I'll just keep spining the wheel.  :)

[Jade's Mom]

I really like Miessence deodorant.  It's frequently written up by green beauty writers as being one of the few natural deodorants that actually work.  You can get it at www.YourOrganicLife.com

For those of you struggling with odor, have you considered changing your diet?  It's possible you need to add a good quality probiotic to your diet.  If you get your bacteria count in the right ratios you may find a decrease in odor.  I've also known people that have had good luck when they've switched to a raw or mostly raw diet.  If you go the probiotic route, make sure it's certified organic from fermented living whole foods, not one that's fast tracked in animal feces.  

It's also possible you just need to detox the toxins from your body and then won't have odor issues.  

[anniegirl]

For those having problems with the baking soda (irritation etc.), what worked for me is to first put on some sort of natural deodorant or coconut oil (anything soothing, the purpose it just to protect your skin) and then dust baking soda on top of that (I use a makeup brush). I've been doing this for over year and it works great! The baking soda still protects against odor, but it's not in direct contact with the skin. Previously I used the coconut oil/ bs/ cornstarch combo or lotion mixed with bs and always got red, irritated pits. The super added bonus is that dusting the baking soda on top works even better (for me anyway) than mixing it and putting it directly on my skin AND I can do this immediately after shaving or epilating without any irritation.

I always hear whispers on natural-type forums that Arm and Hammer baking soda has aluminum in it

I'm pretty sure the reason for this rumor is that some baking POWDER does indeed contain aluminum. But baking SODA is just sodium bicarbonate.

On the other hand, the crystal deodorants most definitely contain aluminum. A lot of the places selling them say stuff about the aluminum molecules being too big to absorb or something. I choose to not use them at all. The whole reason I don't use conventional anti-perspirant is I try my best to avoid extra exposure to aluminum.

Hope this is helpful!

[~Boudicca~]

Yet another person who LOVES the coconut oil/cornstarch/baking soda recipe!  OMG! It works better than anything I have ever used, The Crystal included.

I make a batch and then put it in empty deodorant containers.  It is chilly in the house now so the solidity is fine but in the summer I keep it in the fridge because it melted.

[Scarlettmoon]

Originally Posted by Veslemor 

I always hear whispers on natural-type forums that Arm and Hammer baking soda has aluminum in it.  It's not on the package, and even Dr. Mercola was asking on his site whether anyone knew that it was so.  So I guess what I'm doing is spreading a rumor :P, but it's something for people to think about when choosing a brand of baking soda.

I always buy Bob's Red Mill Aluminum Free Baking Soda.  I did come across an article about aluminum in some b.s. so I decided not to chance it and I'm very happy with this brand.  I use it for all my cooking too.

[TrishWSU]

For a while I just washed with some bs in the shower then sprayed on a mix of rubbing alcohol and TTO after my shower (burns on freshly shaven pits!) It worked for a while, even thorugh the summer, then I got pregnant and I think the hormone change must have done something because I started to get stinky bo again.

Originally Posted by anniegirl 

For those having problems with the baking soda (irritation etc.), what worked for me is to first put on some sort of natural deodorant or coconut oil (anything soothing, the purpose it just to protect your skin) and then dust baking soda on top of that (I use a makeup brush). I've been doing this for over year and it works great! The baking soda still protects against odor, but it's not in direct contact with the skin. Previously I used the coconut oil/ bs/ cornstarch combo or lotion mixed with bs and always got red, irritated pits. The super added bonus is that dusting the baking soda on top works even better (for me anyway) than mixing it and putting it directly on my skin AND I can do this immediately after shaving or epilating without any irritation.

 Thank you for this! I've tried the Funk Butter before and got super red, irritated pits from it (the one w/out eo.) I thought about making my own like mentioned above but I was worried the same thing would happen. I've tried Tom's and Jason's but they just don't work. I just started using the Crystal Rock (I'm not too concerned about aluminum) and it's working great so far. If it stops working for me or when I run out (or get bored :D) I think I'll try the co & dusting on bs.