I don’t know where in the hippy rule book it says “no deodorant allowed” but it must be printed in there somewhere because so many of these well-meaning, tempeh-loving pacifists really stink. I’m all for being natural, but in my books, nature includes things that smell pretty — like lemon, lavender and peppermint. And if you’re going to skip a shower because you’re really busy hugging trees or whatever, I don’t see why it would be such a problem to indulge in just a couple swipes of some natural deo.
Admittedly, though, it’s hard finding the safest one. I personally haven’t used antiperspirant for years because it never seemed like sound logic to clog up my sweat pores with aluminum (the FDA even considers antiperspirants a drug because they “affect the function of the body”), and most brand-name deodorants have just as many chemicals and preservatives.
But just when I thought I was safe with my Tom’s of Maine, I read in Adria Vasil’s book, Ecoholic, that over half of the so-called natural deodorants contain propylene glycol, which in 100% concentrations is known as antifreeze. They also often contain parabens, potentially carcinogenic preservatives with “estrogenic properties.”
Vasil recommends the Avalon Organics line of deodorants, which don’t have any of these suspect ingredients, or those funny crystal rocks. So when I ran out of my Tom’s, I bought their lemon-scented roll-on. It goes on a little wet but dries quick, and so far I haven’t noticed anyone keeping their distance, twitching their noses or peripherally glaring at my armpits.
Those crystal rocks remind me of an old deodorant alternative here called ‘tawas’ (alum). Not much fun to use, as I recall. I was made to use that for a while but I eventually rebelled and discovered regular deodorants. Found a Wikipedia link about it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alum
It’s worth noting that antifreeze isn’t a Shakespearean rose…an antifreeze by any other name is not as toxic. The classically toxic antifreeze is ethylene glycol. Propylene glycol is, by comparison, classified by the FDA as “generally recognized as safe” and can be used as a direct additive in food. Both of these substances metabolize into acids in the body, but while ethylene glycol metabolizes into a toxic acid, propylene glycol metabolizes into lactic acid, which your muscles already produce naturally and for which the body has a strong tolerance. Also, both propylene and ethylene glycol break down in water and soil within days.
I’m not saying to drink a gallon of the stuff, but I’m not sure that using a deodorant containing propylene glycol is that damaging to the body or the enviornment. The stuff breaks down rapidly and requires metabolism to have even the most incredibly minor toxicity, and there’s a chance it’s already in your food.
BTW, Lynn, my parents had a deodorant rock which was basically a big chunk of alum salt.
Whew, Rhett, I’m glad you clarified that for me… I was starting to panic about my Froot Loop-scented Tom’s of Maine! LOL! (Technically, they say it’s “unscented”, but everyone here agrees it smells like Froot Loops! Go figure…)
Anywhooo, I personally use just baking soda; it neutralizes the acidic bacteria that causes odor & does the same thing that an unscented deodorant would (meaning, it doesn’t do diddly for sweat, regrettably
).
Lynn, you were “made to use” a deodorant? *What?* Were you living in a neo-hippie fascist commune, or something?!
I might be in the minority here, but I love my crystal rock. I’ve been using deo-crystals for years of non-smelly usage, and they last so long that I’ve only had to purchase a few.
Back in my non eco-friendly years (for shame), I’d go through a whole bunch of those Secret-brand sticks… I look back on it now, and find the thought of that cakey residue stuff revolting
Good choice! (Though I prefer the lavendar deo by Avalon O., I will have to try the lemon next…) I also really like EarthScience lavender/tea tree. I look for products without aluminum or parabens, and preferably no alcohol or glycol (though now I have to run home and check them out!).
Correct me if I’m wrong, but aren’t those “crystals” just aluminum anyway? (i.e. the same stuff that makes antiperspirants so sketchy)
I use those ones – I reckon they are great – but I keep some regular deodorant for those few days a year when its 35 degrees celcius and Im going on an outdoors picnic with people other than my family! Enjoy!
I’ve been tempted to try one of those crystal rocks. Any other comments? Suggestions?
Oh, happy belated birthday Vanessa.
Have you seen this: http://www.ewg.org/reports/skindeep2/info_why.php It’s a report on the yuckiness that goes into beauty products. You can search your favorite and they tell you what nasty stuff is in it and where it ranks compared to others. It’s a fun site to look at while “working.”
Oooh, Nichole… I have to check out that link (and maybe post about it in my blog today)!
And Yogini, my crystal deo (it is the liquid form) says that it is just mineral salt… and it is most definitely NOT an antiperspirant! LOL!
I use Nature’s Gate deodorant – and it is propylen glycol free!
Oh, the hippie rulebook is very clear about deodorant. Or it would be, were it not printed in blueberry juice on naturally fallen bark.
Oh, almost anything from Maine is bound to be great. Since I’m from Maine, you can be sure I know of what I speak. Type. Whatever.
GreenYogini,
You asked: Correct me if I’m wrong, but aren’t those “crystals” just aluminum anyway? (i.e. the same stuff that makes antiperspirants so sketchy)
Most of the deodorant crystals I’ve come across are alum crystals, which is aluminum potassium sulphate. Most of the neurotoxicity studies I’ve come across in my time generally don’t work with that aluminum salt and instead work with aluminum chloride. You can find aluminum chloride in some antipersperants, but I’ve never seen a “deodorant rock” that was aluminum chloride.
The other common health concern cited over aluminum-containing compounds in deodorant is that the aluminum allegedly plugs up the pores in your armpits, preventing you from sweating out toxins and leading to breast cancer in women. This is generally believed to be an urban legend, given that the American Cancer Society has refuted the claim, that the idea of “sweating out toxins” isn’t as solid as it’s culturally held to be, that your body can easily sweat most other places not covered by deodorant, and that a lot of breast cancers have more to do with serum estrogen levels or estrogen sensitivity in breast tisse than they do with what’s in your armpits.
Personally, I wouldn’t consider standard antipersperants to be much of a threat to health, but the alum rocks seem even less likely. My perspective is, however, completely that of an amateur.
I’ve used the Avalon lavender scented one and it’s quite nice! (oh and this is my first time posting. I just recently found your website and love it! Keep it up!)
-Lesley
San Diego, CA
Hey aimée, yep, ‘made to use’ is right
I wanted to start using regular deodorants right away, but my mother said alum rocks are just as effective anyway.
I’ve just drifted over to your site from the Rage Diaries and wanted to share that I’ve been using Listerine on my armpits and it’s the best non-aluminum deodorant I’ve ever used. I’m not sure if it qualifies for your green-year.
This definitely doesn’t count as non-aluminum, as it’s all aluminum, but Certain-Dry ranks benign on the Environmental Working Group list. It’s a roll on that you put on at night, and once you’ve been using it for awhile you can skip days (i.e. use it every other day or so) without stinking. The ingredients are basically aluminum, baking soda and water, no fragrance.
I thought aluminum was oh-so-bad because of the incidence of elevated levels of aluminum in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients.
I read (don’t recall where, it’s been a few years) that when we shave our pits and then put on anti/deo that we’re providing a great way for aluminum to get into our brains, directly through our capilaries (ie deo stick–>circulatory system—> brain)
=/
I don’t know if that theory has debunked or not, though
[...] I’m not up for baking soda just yet, so a-shopping I go (yes, I’m a bad person). Vanessa at Green as a Thistle is partial to Avalon Organics’ (pretty) deodorants. That works for Vanessa because she lives in [...]
I have brown skin and with years of using deodorants containing aluminum has left a dark discoloration in my armpits. I have noticed in the last 18 months of using only aluminum free deos that the color is slowly returning to normal. Has anyone else had this experience?
Would using a Crystal deo cause the same discoloration?
I LOVE my crystal deodorant. It’s VERY cost effective. One lasts about 6 to 7 years…unless you drop it. No feeling of caking or goop that sweats onto my shirts. I never used to wear tank tops because they always got that yellow stain. No more! When I sweat, it’s clean and doesn’t discolor anything.
If, on occasion, BO starts kicking in before the end of the day, it may be you need to wash off the top of the deodorant… but don’t pour water on it, or the salty crystal may cake right into the dispenser and you’ll never get it to twist up again! Just get one hand lightly soapy wet, and turn the crystal over and rub it in your palm for a few seconds. Rinse off the soap the same way and you’re good to go.
My husband and brother-in-law also are sold on the crystal, and they do manual labor and workouts. Both are picky about smells. This stuff is the best!
BUT, if I had to use something else, I’d be interested in the baking soda idea. How does one apply that? Do you rub it on dry, or make a paste? Do you wash it off?
Can anyone advise me I bought the crystal and have been using it for 3 weeks but when I get excited or nervous It always comes out in my B.O and my arm pits smell and so far the crystal has not been able to protect me against that. Is it someting i should a) use for at least 6 months b4 it works and run the smelly risk or b) use a normal deodrant aswell during difficult times like job interviews etc etc. PLEASE ADVISE SOMEONE as i am desperate for it to work as really belive norm deodrants may casue Breast caner.
I too have been searching for a deodorant that actually works. I have tried a few and the crystal didn’t seem to work too well for me and have tried a few others too that didn’t seem to do much. However i do like ALBa clear enzyme deodorant stick in lavender. It works ok on wetness… not great but I live in a cool climate. I would suggest trying it.
Had to stop by and share my amazing story with you about smelly armpits and deodorant. I’ve been searching for the right “natural” deodorant for a long time now, and it seemed like whatever I tried kind of worked but didn’t really work…. I’ve always been a bit of a stinker and those natural deodorants didn’t seem to cut it for me most of the time. Well, recently I’ve found something that works FAR better than deodorant. Now I haven’t used any deodorant for 3 weeks!… I’m 23 years old and I had used deodorant every day since I was like 12 or something. Anyhow, what I’ve been doing is adding 1-2 tbsp. of pure organic apple cider vinegar to my water every day! I sip it throughout the day in a big water bottle WITH A STRAW (Because it can wear down your enamel on your teeth). Just add A LITTLE to begin with and slowly add more as you can handle the taste. I’m quite used to it now and find it kind of reminds me of apple juice. I started doing this to help my hayfever. It got rid of it almost completely within days… no joke. And I HAVE NO BO. Absolutely zero. It’s the weirdest thing ever. Even when I go and work out hard, no smell. I still sweat, but it’s completely odorless. If you were like me and you smell (lol), you got to try this…! Try googling it or go to EARTHCLINIC.com to learn about all the other benefits of Apple cider vinegar. Oil pulling is also really amazing. I’ve been doing that too. Here’s to odorless arm pits!
I meant no more BO!
rosemary and mint are best, lemon is refreshing but best for dishes!
for job
Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive learn anything like this before. So nice to search out any individual with some unique ideas on this subject. realy thank you for starting this up. this web site is one thing that is wanted on the web, somebody with a bit of originality. helpful job for bringing something new to the web!
I am glad you mentioned that some natural deodrants aren’t so natural. There are more and more that are safer I make a great cream deodorant by purelygreat
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I use Nature’s Gate deodorant – and it is propylen glycol free!