Need help switching over from traditional deoderant/antipersperant...

[pampered_mom]

to crystal deoderant. We want to switch for a variety of reasons (I've read such good things from many mommas here), but am thinking that we might need to take some interim steps in order to do so successfully.

I'm thinking we'll need to remove any of the residue of the old stuff (cuz it does NOT wash off very well when you take a shower) before we try the new stuff?

Am I completely off base? Suggestions?

[boongirl]

We switched to Tom's of Maine deo a few years ago. It was hardest for me as a teacher because I was so active in my classroom and afraid of smelling bad or showing sweat on my clothes. I went back and forth. I do remember the residue. My dh uses Neutragena body wash on his back for oily skin and it works really well at getting the residue off. Something with an exfoliant in it will do the trick. When I was pregnant, 4 years ago, my dh insisted that I switch so I did. It is hard to get used to sweating. You don't stay as fresh as with mainstream stuff but I've reconciled this and I deal with it. Sometimes, I take a little mini bath midday, to freshen up. I will reapply as needed. And it is nice to no longer have a residue on my pits.

[pampered_mom]

Umm...I should add that dh is...ahh...well...a tad on the furry side. Will the crystal work for him too? Or will the underarm hair get in the way?

[Spastica]

Pameredmom:

A mesh pouf or baking soda works very very well to get rid of old deodorant. I think I had less of a transitional phase between my regular deodorant and going to my herbal spray deodorant because of it. I still scrub my armpits everyday before getting out of the shower. It also helps me get a better shave and is getting rid of my dark colored armpits! (this is usually a problem with darker skinned people though).

[frogguruami]

Originally Posted by pamered_mom

Umm...I should add that dh is...ahh...well...a tad on the furry side. Will the crystal work for him too? Or will the underarm hair get in the way?

Well, the crystal works by applying a layer of mineral salt to the skin, thus keeping the bacteria that cause odor from growing. I could see the hair interfering with the coverage. However, I think if you apply it well it will work fine. I would suggest that he give it a try on days that if he starts to smell it won't matter and see how it goes. Unlike many natural products, the crystals are so cheap that it is easy to be liberal with it. I can buy a small crystal for less than 2 dollars. According to the package it lasts for 3 months. Even if I used it so much that I was buying a new one every month it would still be affordable.

[pampered_mom]

Originally Posted by amseiler

Unlike many natural products, the crystals are so cheap that it is easy to be liberal with it. I can buy a small crystal for less than 2 dollars. According to the package it lasts for 3 months. Even if I used it so much that I was buying a new one every month it would still be affordable.

That's what I thought! I got the small travel size for under $2 at the co-op. Even the next size up was much cheaper than the other natural deoderants out there. Thanks for the info...we'll give it a try this weekend since he'll just be around ds and myself!

[UptownZoo]

Originally Posted by pamered_mom

Umm...I should add that dh is...ahh...well...a tad on the furry side. Will the crystal work for him too? Or will the underarm hair get in the way?

I don't ever shave. The crystal works great for me. I do rub it lots longer than I would a regular deo/AP, though.

[maxwill129]

I don't know if anyone else had a problem at first with the crystal, but the first time I tried it I stank...really bad, so I went back to normal deoderant. I just started trying it again and it's been working great for me! So if it doesn't seem to work right away, don't give up!

Shannon

[EricaLeigh]

There is always Funk butter! It's not cheap but it works I used the BS & lotion routine for months but my pits were soooo irritated....I just read that if you mix it 50/50 with cornstarch that, that will take some of the abrasiveness out. I have yet to try it because I'm loving my Funk Butter!

http://oyinhandmade.com/oyin/index.p...f55884f6b6e7bd

[Spastica]

Somebody msg'd me the other day and told me they had much success with the same method I'm using - baking soda to scrub armpits and rinsing, using apple cider vinegar to kill bacteria (optional), rinsing, and then spraying lavender oil/water on their pits after getting out of the shower. She was so sweet Hope you don't mind me posting your message, Siobhan:

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Thank You!

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Just wanted to let you know that your wealth of knowledge has helped me sooooo much! I told my dh that I was switching to natural deoderant and he said no way! Those dont work and you'll stink.

I have been experimenting with all the different store bought ones and couldnt find anything that worked as well as conventional deoderant.....Untill I read your method!

Your bs scrub and the Burts Bee's mist works like a charm!

I did want to ask you....I am buying the individual EO to make my own when the Burt's runs out. How do you know how many drops to use?

So just wanted to thank you for helping a newbie!

Siobhan

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Spazzy here again: I definitely think keeping baking soda on all day would be irritating. It does a 'too good' job of wicking all moisture out and since it acts like soap, keeping that kind of stuff on your sensitive pit area all day would be harsh.

[pampered_mom]

I Love It!!

Ok...so I bought my crystal on Monday. I usually shower at night cuz I sleep better then and it simplifies my ams with my 16mo old and getting dh out the door to go to work. I used baking soda in the shower to scrub off the old deo/ap residue and applied the crystal that night before bed and the next am. AND - IT WORKED! No stinkiness in transition whatsoever!

I've been using it all week with the same routine and absolutely would never go back. I was sooooo worried cuz my mom had tried some natural deoderants, but hated it. We've since had discussions on removing deo/ap residue (she'd been trying to scrape it off with her razor - OUCH!) and I've been charged with reporting back on how the crystal works. Even today with it as HOT and HUMID as it was it worked very well. Obviously there was sweat, but no bo whatsoever.

uptownzoo - thanks for the feedback on that one. I'll keep that in mind with dh.

He found a deo from Herban Cowboy that smells absolutely wonderful so he's going to give that a try. In the meantime, for Father's Day, I think I'm going to get him some soap and cologne in the same scent (Dusk) cuz I like it so much.

Anyways....THANKS ladies! I was all geared up for struggles and the whole switch was so anti-climactic!!!