Dianne-TX Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 I'm on the search for a non toxic deodorant that actually works. I haven't found one yet, so I've been using baking soda. Surprisingly, it's working okay. I saw a recipe to add cornstarch because the baking soda can be irritating and I think it might add an antipersperant effect too. (not sure about that) I'm also going to add some essential oils for fragrance. If anyone has a natural, non toxic deodorant that they swear, please share! I would also like to know what your dh's use. Guys sweat more and stink and my dh is reluctant to try something that won't keep him from sweating and stinking. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudyJudyJudy Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 I use the salt crystals like this: http://www.thecrystal.com/, but I realize that some people don't think they work. I use the rock crystal type, and it works well for me. It took about a week before it worked right; it was as though my body was so accustomed to the chemical deodorants/antiperspirants that my body had to get used to not having them anymore. Basically, I'm saying to give it a week or so before giving up. At first I had to apply it twice daily, but now I only have to apply it once daily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 My dh uses a tea tree oil deoderant from Desert Essence, works fine. I use nothing, and that's fine too. (Nobody tells me I smell, lol.) You smell because of what you eat, as I've been told. Change your diet, change your smell? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lilymax Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 I use the fragrance-free Liquid Rock roll-on from Kiss My Face brand (bought at Target; they also sell it on Drugstore.com). I have really sensitive skin and it's one of the few deodorants that doesn't leave me scratching my pits like a monkey all day long! ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracy in Ky Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 (edited) Dh just uses alcohol and has for years. It works by killing the bacteria that cause the odor. It doesn't stop sweating, but you need to sweat. The reason anti-perspirants work is by clogging up the sweat ducts, and that is unhealthy; I've even read that iclogging the ducts may cause breast cancer in women, because the drainage is hindered. Anyhooo--alcohol works very well for odor.:D Edited August 23, 2009 by Tracy in Ky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa in Australia Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 I haven't found anything that works. I have tried the rock crystal, and think it might work if I strap one under each arm. I just have a shower every day, and wear fresh clothes every day. apart from that I smell sweaty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitestavern Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 Dh uses the rock crystal and it works well for him. I use Tom's mostly. I've always tried to stay away from any antiperspirants and just use deodorants. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firefly Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 I used to use Tom's and found it worked very well. About a year ago I decided to try the rock thingy (I think it is mineral salt?) because I liked the idea of less packaging/plastic and I love it. I still have the same rock, so it's economical to boot. I'm sticking with it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kewb Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 I use baking soda mixed with a small dollop of aloe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamapjama Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 I have made this recipe and found it worked great. And I've tried every natural deodorant I can get my hands on. http://angrychicken.typepad.com/angry_chicken/2008/07/homemade-deodor.html?cid=120766932 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCA Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 Go to Vitacost.com and look up Alvera roll on deodorant. Its the best, just read the comments! We've tried almost every organic deodorant out there! Just a side note... I rarely wear any deodorant in the winter and I dont smell. Alot of times if you cleanse your body and wean yourself from the deodorants you will be suprised at how little you actually smell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orthodox6 Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 Best bet is to buy a product from a company which has signed the compact discussed here: http://www.safecosmetics.org/section.php?id=51 from National Geographic: Avoid deodorants that contain these types of ingredients: antibacterials, diethanolamine (DEA), formaldehyde, petroleum distillates, fragrance and parabens. According to National Geographic The Green Guide, these types of ingredients are on the "Dirty Dozen Chemicals in Cosmetics" list. There are several parabens used in unsafe cosmetics and deodorants. Also avoid aluminum, triclosan (an old antibacterial) and talc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BalanceSeeker Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 I have heard (and plan to try myself) that apple cider vinegar works. Not the purified you get at the grocery, but the unfiltered type by a co. like Bragg's that you'd find at a health food store. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudyJudyJudy Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 This is a good website to help in picking out safer products: http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/browse.php?category=deodorant Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbgrace Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 Crystal and all the other natural type things didn't work for me. But Funk Butter does! I've used it since last year this time. It does take me a week after going from aluminum containing stuff to this to work. I think the body over-produces when you first take that away. But then this works no matter the heat for me. http://oyinhandmade.com/oyin/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=7 http://centralfloridagreenguide.com/2008/07/28/funk-butter-natural-deodorant-that-works/ I got this blog hit when I googled to find the website. I'm linking it because the only complaint I've ever heard about this (I did a lot of research because I was having so much trouble finding one that worked for me) was that some people with sensitive skin get a rash from the baking soda and this blog has lots of replies with ideas for that if someone has sensitive skin. I've never had that issue but looks like it's still workable for senstive skin types too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orthodox6 Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 Really ??? Spread Bragg's in ones "pits" ??? I drink Bragg's mixed in water, but never thought of this alternative use ! I would anticipate smelling rather peculiar to folks nearby. (rather like the embarrassing time in college, when I was running very late to a class, so washed my acne-face with Listerine ! ) I have heard (and plan to try myself) that apple cider vinegar works. Not the purified you get at the grocery, but the unfiltered type by a co. like Bragg's that you'd find at a health food store. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BalanceSeeker Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 Yes, I noticed it yesterday when I was reading this http://www.apple-cider-vinegar-benefits.com/home-remedies.html Who knows? I thought it was worth a shot, since so far none of the natural stuff has worked for me. ETA: Washing face with listerine...that had to sting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs. H Posted August 24, 2009 Share Posted August 24, 2009 I don't post often, but thought I'd pipe in that I've tried vinegar and it does work. It doesn't have to be unfiltered, though, because it is the acidity that kills the bacteria. Lemon juice is used in the same way in Asia. I use lemon juice for deodorant everyday, and have to say that it is the best solution I've found. Fresh from the lemon works best, but bottled works too. For some reason, though, those little lemon shaped bottles that you can buy in the produce department don't work as well as lemon juice in glass jars :confused:. Sarah (from lurking) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orthodox6 Posted August 24, 2009 Share Posted August 24, 2009 I'm no chemist, to say the least ! But the posts have turned out really interesting ! We have votes for baking soda [alkaline], because it neutralizes the body odor. We have votes for vinegar [acidic], because it does similar. Both methods have anecdotal evidence for working. :confused: I'm confused ! I don't post often, but thought I'd pipe in that I've tried vinegar and it does work. It doesn't have to be unfiltered, though, because it is the acidity that kills the bacteria. Lemon juice is used in the same way in Asia. I use lemon juice for deodorant everyday, and have to say that it is the best solution I've found. Fresh from the lemon works best, but bottled works too. For some reason, though, those little lemon shaped bottles that you can buy in the produce department don't work as well as lemon juice in glass jars :confused:. Sarah (from lurking) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tuckabella Posted August 24, 2009 Share Posted August 24, 2009 I use Lafe's Aloe and MSM deodorant in a non-aerosol spray. Works great. I got it off of cottonbabies.com when they had free shipping since Whole Foods does not carry it around here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Katia Posted August 24, 2009 Share Posted August 24, 2009 I make my own facial astringent by adding tea tree oil to witch hazel. After I saturate the cotton round and use it on my face and neck....there is still lots of good astringent on the cotton round, so..... I started using it under my arms because I know that tea tree oil has antimicrobial properties. And, wow. After just a few days I could tell a difference in lack of body odor 'smell', kwim? Then, I made my own powder deodorant by mixing: 1/4 c. corn starch 1/4 c. baking soda 15 drops of lavender essential oil Store in a Tupperware container so it doesn't spill and make a mess. The one I use is the size that a powder puff fits in it. I put my fingers in it and mixed it up really good. Lavender oil also has antimicrobial properties, and the big plus to me....I love the smell! So: Step 1) Clean out pits with cotton round saturated in tea tree oil/witch hazel mixture Let dry Step 2) Use fingers OR powder puff to apply thin layer of homemade deodorant powder. Cover surface of pit thoroughly. If put on properly you won't be able to see it. This works very, very well for me and it smells heavenly! AND it's very cheap (affordable). No more purchasing those personal care items for me. I think I may try the bottled lemon juice suggestion. What *I* use lemon juice for is my face. It's a terrific anti-wrinkle solution. I use this after I apply the homemade astringent. Personally, I LOVE making my own personal care products from natural sources without the chemicals. I find they work SO much better than the junk we are paying tons of $$$ for. What I'd really like to find is a good, homemade shampoo and condition recipe that does NOT use baking soda OR vinegar. Those are just nasty on my hair. Oh, and I use just plain baking soda to brush my teeth as well. Just had a great one-year check up at the dentist :-) I'm enjoying reading all these suggestions. What a great thread! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dianne-TX Posted August 24, 2009 Author Share Posted August 24, 2009 Oh! I have a great recipe for deodorant. Read it on another HS forum, and it was a miracle for me. I have tried every natural deodorant I have seen, and none of them are effective for me. I tried this recipe, and I have NO odor whatsoever with it. It's truly miraculous to me. It's super easy to make, and you may have all the ingredients in your pantry already: 1/4 cup baking soda 1/4 cup corn starch 5-6 Tablespoons coconut oil (some people substitute arrowroot powder for the corn starch, if their skin doesn't tolerate corn starch). I just mixed it all in a bowl with a fork, then put it in a container with a lid. To apply, you just put your fingers in, and then rub it in under your arm--kind of paint it on to cover the whole surface. It totally disappears, and hasn't left any residue on my clothes. People in really hot areas have said theirs is completely liquid right now, but they just dip a finger in, and make sure they dip down to the bottom to get some of all the mixture. I have found my skin doesn't like it much if I use it right after shaving. I might try it with the arrowroot when I mix up my next batch, but I somehow think the baking soda is more what causes the post-shaving irritation. Hope that helps! Kirsten I found this recipe too. I haven't mixed in the cornstarch yet, but have been using the baking soda and it has really worked the last few days. I didn't think about adding coconut oil. It might make it easier to apply. I've been using a cotton ball in the baking soda and applying it like baby powder. It's worked fine, but I can see how the coconut oil makes it more like real deodorant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dianne-TX Posted August 24, 2009 Author Share Posted August 24, 2009 I make my own facial astringent by adding tea tree oil to witch hazel. After I saturate the cotton round and use it on my face and neck....there is still lots of good astringent on the cotton round, so..... I started using it under my arms because I know that tea tree oil has antimicrobial properties. And, wow. After just a few days I could tell a difference in lack of body odor 'smell', kwim? Then, I made my own powder deodorant by mixing: 1/4 c. corn starch 1/4 c. baking soda 15 drops of lavender essential oil Store in a Tupperware container so it doesn't spill and make a mess. The one I use is the size that a powder puff fits in it. I put my fingers in it and mixed it up really good. Lavender oil also has antimicrobial properties, and the big plus to me....I love the smell! So: Step 1) Clean out pits with cotton round saturated in tea tree oil/witch hazel mixture Let dry Step 2) Use fingers OR powder puff to apply thin layer of homemade deodorant powder. Cover surface of pit thoroughly. If put on properly you won't be able to see it. This works very, very well for me and it smells heavenly! AND it's very cheap (affordable). No more purchasing those personal care items for me. I think I may try the bottled lemon juice suggestion. What *I* use lemon juice for is my face. It's a terrific anti-wrinkle solution. I use this after I apply the homemade astringent. Personally, I LOVE making my own personal care products from natural sources without the chemicals. I find they work SO much better than the junk we are paying tons of $$$ for. What I'd really like to find is a good, homemade shampoo and condition recipe that does NOT use baking soda OR vinegar. Those are just nasty on my hair. Oh, and I use just plain baking soda to brush my teeth as well. Just had a great one-year check up at the dentist :-) I'm enjoying reading all these suggestions. What a great thread! Your recipe is the exact one I was going to try. I'm waiting on my Young Living order and then I was going to add lavendar to my baking soda/cornstarch mix. I'm glad to know it's good. I figured it would smell good and be beneficial. I don't know if I can do baking soda for brushing teeth. My dad had us do it a few times growing up and I absolutely hated it! I do use the Thieves toothpast and mouthwash from YL, though, and have heard great testimonials from using it, so hopefully that will work well. All the non toxic shampoos I've tried don't work for me after awhile either. Again, I've ordered some YL shampoo and will use it sparingly ($18.95 a bottle!). I'm going to get a pump and fill it with 1/3 shampoo and 2/3 water and mix. I've been told the shampoo is so thick that this is actually the best way to use it. Good thing because I go through shampoo quickly, too quick to replace a $20 bottle! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dianne-TX Posted August 24, 2009 Author Share Posted August 24, 2009 Thanks for all the responses! I'll be looking into some of the already made ones if the baking soda mix I'm using doesn't hold up, especially in sweaty moments. I've only used it, so far, in situations where I wasn't hot and sweaty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Peregrine Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 1/4 cup baking soda 1/4 cup corn starch 5-6 Tablespoons coconut oil I made this 2 days ago and it works! I am so happy. I usually wear nothing if I am not going anywhere. I have successfully sat at 2 hot soccer practices and I don't stink.:lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer in SC Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 Crystal and all the other natural type things didn't work for me.But Funk Butter does! I've used it since last year this time. It does take me a week after going from aluminum containing stuff to this to work. I think the body over-produces when you first take that away. But then this works no matter the heat for me. http://oyinhandmade.com/oyin/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=7 http://centralfloridagreenguide.com/2008/07/28/funk-butter-natural-deodorant-that-works/ I got this blog hit when I googled to find the website. I'm linking it because the only complaint I've ever heard about this (I did a lot of research because I was having so much trouble finding one that worked for me) was that some people with sensitive skin get a rash from the baking soda and this blog has lots of replies with ideas for that if someone has sensitive skin. I've never had that issue but looks like it's still workable for senstive skin types too. I've heard good things about Funk Butter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa in FL Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 I'm no chemist, to say the least ! But the posts have turned out really interesting ! We have votes for baking soda [alkaline], because it neutralizes the body odor. We have votes for vinegar [acidic], because it does similar. Both methods have anecdotal evidence for working. :confused: I'm confused ! I think they are only saying apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar is unique in that it is the only vinegar that is alkaline, not acidic. Melissa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alphabetika Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 I buy mine from Etsy.com (online marketplace for people who make things by hand and sell their creations), from a seller called Gudonyatoo. The deodorant is called "Stinky No More," is all natural, handmade, comes in a variety of scents, and works really well for me. It's about $6 a tube plus shipping (same size as store-bought deodorant) but I'm finding it lasts much longer than store-bought. I've been so pleased with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmoira Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 I think they are only saying apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar is unique in that it is the only vinegar that is alkaline, not acidic.All vinegars are acidic, including apple cider vinegar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texascamps Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 This may sound strange but I like to use the Tea Tree foot lotion. Its cheaper than buying other Tea Tree Products. I use alcohol on cotton the apply the Tea Tree lotion. It also comes in a foot refresher spray. I kind of got the idea when my Brazilian neighbor healed a horrible sore she had on her leg with Tea Tree oil. Her doctor had given her some other kind of lotion. It went away after she sent away for Tea Tree oil, something she said they use all of the time in Brazil. I heard it was antimicrobial/anti-fungal. It works great. I go back to a baking soda deoderant once in a while or when I'm on vacation Still, a swab of alcohol seems to keep the smell away all day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blessedfamily Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 I use several, but the key for me is to alternate. Sometimes I use Alba, sometimes Crystal, but I have to alternate when one becomes less effective.(I work out a lot) Then I go back to the other after a few months. Don't know why, but it works for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicole not in CA Posted August 28, 2009 Share Posted August 28, 2009 1/4 cup baking soda 1/4 cup corn starch 5-6 Tablespoons coconut oil This is what I use also. After using many natural deodorants that did not work for me, this works so well. I will never go back to a stick deodorant again. My 13 year old daughter was so frustrated with deodorants that did not work for her teen body, and now she uses this and is thrilled that she is no longer stinky. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcconnellboys Posted August 28, 2009 Share Posted August 28, 2009 I've been using Thai Crystal mist for a while and it works great. I used Devita prior to that and also liked it, but my coop stopped handling it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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