Help! Embarrassing Underarm B.O.

[Livi's Mama]

Now that warm weather is here, I'm back to hoping no one stands too close to me! I must have tried every traditional brand of antiperspirant/deo on the market. I'd FINALLY found one that made a big improvement & now it's apparently not made anymore : By 10:00 AM, I smell. And I sit at a desk in a/c!! I'd like to use more natural products, but on a previous thread a while ago, I got the jist that they don't work as well. Also, I'm on a very tight budget. I am distraught & embarrassed. Any advice anyone?

[julesinottawa]

I just noticed your daughter has the same name as mine, Olivia Grace!

As for the deodorant, I've been using the Burt's Bees one with oil of sage and it seems to be working. I keep smelling my shirts after I've taken them off to check since I'm kinda new to using natural products and was nervous that it wouldn't work.

My mom has sensitive skin and sense of smell (many smells give her migraines) and she uses straight baking soda.

[Red Sonja]

Well, it's not natural, but the only thing I've found that works for me is Certain Dri, you can get it off the internet. Since I've been pregnant I've gone through way too many brands of antiperspirant/deoderant trying to find one that works, nothing would keep the smell away. Finally a friend gave me a bottle of this to try and I was shocked that it actually works. It says for excessive perspiration but it really helped me even though my main problem was odor. It's kind of expensive but you don't have to put it on everyday. I just put it on every 3 to 4 days at night, let it dry for about 10 minutes (itches like crazy when it is drying!) then use my regular deoderant daily. It's been in the 90's here and I've been able to wear tank tops and not be embarassed by odor or sweatmarks.

Reading this it sounds like I work for that company or something, I don't! I'm just very relieved to find something that works and I'm not a stinkbug.

[srain]

The only one that worked for me at all was Secret Platinum Protection. If you haven't already crossed it off your list, it might be worth a try.

[Livi's Mama]

Wow! Thanks for the advice, all. These suggestions are all new to me, so I'll check them out. Can't be worse than what I have now!

julesinottawa - proves we both have good taste

Ladybug - Ha-ha, you do sound like a commercial. I know what you mean about the tank tops. Would be great to be able to wear those again!

[Brisen]

I stopped using soap on my underarms and use baking soda instead. Then after I shower I use a deoderant crystal. I find that having a layer of stuff on my skin makes me sweat more. It seems to be working so far.

[mother_sunshine]

I use Avalon and love it, but I don't usually have a huge problem with b.o. I don't like using antipersperants (or anything that prohibits my body from sweating), it just doesn't seem healthy IMHO. I do keep a bottle of Purely Fresh (from Jason Cosmetics) in my car which is basically like Purell in a spray form. The alcohol in it immediately kills any bacteria that is causing odor. So maybe if you kept a small bottle of it or even a small stash of alcohol wipes with you and wiped some under your arms every now and then, my guess is that the odor problem would disappear.

[Raven67]

No help here, but wanted to say, I have an Olivia Grace, too!!! Born 11/19/03.....I call her Livie, too!

[georgia]

Have you had any issues with yeast or thrush? Just curious, as I had thrush which was causing me problems!

[Lauira]

Originally Posted by LadyBug & BabyBug

Well, it's not natural, but the only thing I've found that works for me is Certain Dri, you can get it off the internet.

I have used this too! I don't have an odor problem, but sweaty armpits drive me crazy. This stuff is awesome!

[jayayenay]

Check out this thread. It's probably the one that gave you the idea that natural solutions don't work well, but it does have lots of ideas. If you're not opposed to using rubbing alcohol, I've found that it works FABULOUSLY for me!

[georgia]

Where do you get Certain Dri??

[MyOcean]

Where do you get Certain Dri??

Drugstore.com sells it

[gardenmommy]

Generally speaking, bacteria cause b.o. If you make the environment (your skin) unfriendly to bacteria, you should notice a decrease in b.o. (in theory!). White vinegar, rubbing alcohol, tea tree oil, baking soda, etc. all should help to some degree.

If you haven't already, consider making some dietary changes to make your body less hospitable to bacteria: taking acidophilous, reducing refined foods in your diet, increasing water intake, etc.

I use a crystal (mineral salts), and have found it very effective, even in hot weather. It even works on the stinky feet thing after dh and I remove our Tevas.

[Livi's Mama]

As for yeast or thrush, I used to get yeast infections all the time (when I was naively using antibiotics for acne. Did my doctor ever point out to me the connection when I complained of yeast infections over & over? NO!) (sorry. rant is over.) Anyway, although I had trouble w/b.o. then, it's actually been worse lately. I'm no longer on the antibiotics, and I do take probiotics as well. But I also eat sugar like there's no tomorrow. Gee, thanks for raining on my parade I'll maybe start with the cheapest thing like rubbing alcohol & go from there. One of these ideas is bound to help me, too. Thanks so much everyone!!

[georgia]

Has anyone ever tried Grapefruit seed extract under their arms?? Wonder how that would work if it's yeast related since GSE is an anti-fungal????

YOU, step away from that sugar!!! Don't you give those beasts anything else to eat now, ya hear???

[gardenmommy]

I guess it's worth trying the GSE. Can't hurt anything, can it? Boy, staying away from the sugar is really hard sometimes! That's one of the best things about being pregnant for me, I can't tolerate sugar, so I don't eat much! Not so after the birth, though.

[treehuggerz]

After reading this thread I've gotten some great ideas! My body odor gets pretty bad sometimes and I've "sweated" right through many commercial brands of anti-perspirant/deodorants. The Secret Platinum does work well.

However, I've been on a quest to find an aluminum-free alternative. Most seem to not work at all and/or break me out. That changed this week after I tried le Stick Natural Tea Tree Deodorant. This is available from Grandpa's.com and it really works for me!

One diet related tip is to take a chlorophyll supplement, it freshens you from the inside out.

HTH,
Marvel

[Livi's Mama]

I may have egg on my face, but at least I don't stink!

I found some Certain Dri in a Shopko & that really does work. But the aluminum thing did bother me. Then recently on a whim DH & I each bought a stick of Crystal body deoderant. Wow!! The natural stuff works for me!! I never thought it would. The Certain Dri lasts longer & I may use it in special situations, but the Crystal Stick works great for every day. Must have been something in regular deo/anti-persp. that my body reacted to. Thought I'd post that in case anyone else was hesitating on trying the crystal stick-type stuff. As a bonus, this stick is guaranteed to last a year, so it will save us money, too.

[LaLa]

i make my own combo of spray and powder and it works better then anything I've tried to buy!

here is the recipe copy and pasted...

Natural Deodorant Spray
Free Recipe: I designed this deodorant spray as a more natural alternative to commercial products, and it was created with the intention of using with the powder (recipe to follow) on a daily basis. Together, I find the spray and powder will rival any standard deodorant brand I’ve tried!

Ingredients:


1 oz Vodka (80 proof or higher)
1 oz distilled water
6 drops of rose oil (or other essential oil)
4 drops of sandalwood oil (or other essential oil)

Directions:
Mix vodka and essential oils together in the 2 oz spray bottle until oils are well blended. Add water and shake well. If your skin is too sensitive for the alcohol in this product, just make a small batch with distilled water instead and shake very well before each use as the oils will separate if there is no alcohol being used.

Some oils can be harsh on the skin if used in too high of a concentration, so please read the warning indications and test a small sample of your product before using or giving as gifts. Be especially aware using oils if you are pregnant, suffer health problems, have allergies and always use quality products for personal care.
Copyright 2004 SleepingBean. Please ask permission of the author before linking to this recipe from your website. Printing or distributing this recipe for sale, and the use of this pattern for commercial use is strictly prohibited.

Natural Deodorant Powder
Free Recipe: Deodorizing Body Powder
to be used with the deodorant spray listed seperately



Ingredients:
8 oz arrowroot powder
2 oz white clay
1 oz cornstarch
1 oz baking soda
5 drops rose essential oil (or other essential oil)
4 drops sandalwood essential oil. (or other essential oil)
Directions:
Mix all ingredients together well with a fork until blended. Makes 12 oz

Some oils can be harsh on the skin if used in too high of a concentration, so please read the warning indications and test a small sample of your product before using or giving as gifts. Be especially aware using oils if you are pregnant, suffer health problems, have allergies and always use quality products for personal care.
Copyright 2004 SleepingBean. Please ask permission of the author before linking to this recipe from your website. Printing or distributing this recipe for sale, and the use of this pattern for commercial use is strictly prohibited.