under arm Deodorant alternative

What many folks don't realize is that most salt sticks and salt and Thai crystals DO have aluminum in them.

Of course always wash your pits to the point of no longer smelling before applying these.

Application at night before bed actually helps them be more effective the next day, though you should re-apply n the morning. (This makes commercial anti-perspirants and deodorants work better too!) Instead of using expensive -to- produce essential oils to infuse baking soda, any kind of scented geranium leaves (pelargoriums) like rose or lemon can be layered in baking soda to infuse it, as can lavender leaves and flowers, rosemary, mints, bee balms (monardas, ) sage, thyme, bay leaves (good for the lymph glands, AND antibiotic) or citrus peels.. (MAYBE fairly freshly ground cloves or cinnamon would work well too, since they are anti-biotic and anti-fugal?) If baking soda is irritating, it can be mixed singly with any of these oils, or in combination with, coconut oil, olive oil, or shea butter. The oils could also be used by themselves to lesser effect, or infused themselves. Apple cider vinegar can be mixed one part vinegar to three parts water, and sprayed. You can use vinegar infused with any of the above herbs, too....Cancer likes alcohol, so as a woman I don't especially like the idea of using it on my underarms daily, but would for an especially important event....many folks take liquid chlorophyll internally to avoid smelling badly externally...it also helps build up hemoglobin if you will be going to high altitude areas like Santa Fe or Taos or Kilimanjaro, and don't want to feel dizzy, or short of breath....

I find that the natural health food store ones don't work for me for long. They stop working.
I have also found the old tip of rinsing my armpits with a dilution of water and apple cider vinegar kinda reduces the stink.
I've used a squeeze of lemon juice before applying anti-stink stick makes it work better. Maybe it has something to do with bacteria and the skin's pH. I don't know.
When I go out and am gardening or I'm on a long bike ride I don't wear any anti stink stuff. I figure my body is supposed to sweat stuff out. Your skin is your largest organ and your body rids itself of toxins thru this one efficient pathway. (Bowels, bladder,breathe,the voice, eyes...)

It's better to get the sh** out than keep it all in, I figure.

well, the magnesium oil the other poster put up a link for .... WORKS !

works for 36 hours of hard work for me, but does really up the intake of water.
must be forming new stuff with it, or flushing me out.

i think i feel taller.....

next best was the citrus flower water

For me the best has been to use a base of coconut oil and then some baking soda.

I have been working on this one for a while and I have a very good working deodorant using doTERRA CPTG essential oils that can also help with other ailments PM me or email me zxylene at yahoo dot com I had arthritis and now take care of my stinky man pits and my arthritis at the same time. It is fantastic. Everybody body chemistry is differently wife uses a slightly different mixture but it helps her with her and weight loss also. You do not want to block your pores I stopped using antiperspirant deodorant about 10 years ago and started trying to find a truly safe and working natural deodorant about two years ago. I tried the salt stick and desert essence in between but while they both helped they didn't work for me.

I use the mineral salts stick. But I made the switch to it from regular deodorant during the winter. I don't sweat as much during the winter so it gave my body several months to re-regulate. I shower every morning and apply afterwards. I have found that my underarms actually stink less with the salt sticks now than when I used to use the regular deodorant/anti persporant. But I definetly noticed that it took my body time to get used to the change. Just like when I stopped using shampoo. The body needs time to catch up with the change.

I really enjoy this recipe:

6 T coconut oil (melted)
1/4 baking soda
1/4 arrowroot

The coconut oil helps the baking soda not irritate my skin like it did when I used it dry. But I only need to use it during the hottest, sweatiest days of the summer (And it reapplies well).The rest of the time, a shower every other day is plenty. I for sure stink less now that we eat no processed foods, and have cut way back on sugar, white flour, and pasteurized dairy.

Not sure if I just missed it, but I didn't see anyone mention just plain witch hazel. That's what I use. Or the tea tree oil. But for some reason I don't really love having oily armpits..

i've pretty much always broken out. Probably the toxic petro's and the aluminum in most.

What i now do is after a bath/shower i use zinc oxide from a drugstore. Kind of like bag balm with white/zinc. It keeps the smell gone for 1-1/2 to two weeks for me. It is not sticky to my t-shirts or anything either because i rub in a tiny bead on each pit.

It has lasted me a year, and i am finally on the end of the tube - probably 14 - 16 months down the road. i should try bag balm before i buy anymore though, maybe neem oil........

most homemade deos use baking soda, but as the first poster suggested it can break you out. the problem with baking soda in natural deodorant is it changes the pH of your skin (!!!). to re=establish the balance, the suggestion is to after applying, wipe the area with apple cider vinegar to redress the pH. While this makes sense, I find it way too complicated for my sleepy morning grooming and also after shaving in the shower it can sting.

I've seen some people just use coconut oil, though haven't tried this myself.

This recipe from Crunchy Betty uses paul's favourite, food grade diatomaceous earth with a bunch of oils that I'm sure you can mix and match around. You can also buy from her website.

To buy, I've been using soapwalla kitchen's homemade deo available here. Unfortunately the home kitchen is in NYC and so when I run out I'll have to source an alternative here in Europe - desert earth brand is pretty good.

note for any health food store customers searching for deo --- Weleda, a pretty popular brand here, makes a 'spray deodorant'. DON'T BUY IT. It is basically 98% alcohol and 2% synthetic perfume, it's total crap.

Several years ago I listened to an episode on NPR's program called "The People's Pharmacy" that talked about this very problem. An alternative they suggested was applying Milk of Magnesia as a deodorant. I've been using it ever since. In very hot weather...I live in Africa...it does not keep me dry but the sweat has no odor.

I have found a company that sells an awesome line of completely natural soaps, shampoos, deodorants, moisturizers, face and body creams, etc. I find that their deodorant creams made with baking soda and essential oils work really well because you can rub in the cream and don't have any gross flaking or clumping issues. The ingredients are simple and wholesome. The founder even has a "Chemical of the Day" blog where she discusses the problems with chemicals used in common personal hygiene products.

Visit their website at: http://bubbleandbee.com/

Most of their products and ingredients are certified organic.

Originally I found these products in a Whole Foods in Boulder, CO but now I order mine via mail once or twice per year.

You can implore your local natural foods store to carry these products.

I am the mother of a lot of stinky boys (and girls!).

We've tried almost every commercially available, aluminum-free deodorant over the last twenty years, and my latest favorite is Primal Pit Paste.

primalpitpaste.com

Three years ago I found out I was allergic to a whole bunch of things, including corn and corn derivatives. The deodorant I was using at the time was giving me anaphylactic reactions, so I stopped using it (of course!). A friend told me about using zinc oxide. For a while I was able to use a tube of zinc oxide I got from from the local pharmacy, but after a while my sensitivity to the allergens increased and I started reacting to the ingredients in the pharmacy zinc oxide. This gave me the push to start making it myself. Zinc oxide powder (http://www.amazon.com/Zinc-Oxide-Powder-Quality-Resealable/dp/B003IGOL8U), olive oil, and either bee's wax or shea butter is all you need. Shea butter is what I used because that's what I had on hand that I knew wasn't going to try and kill me. I tried it with some essential oils, but reacted to that, so I mixed up a plain batch. Just a dab under the arms after a shower. It lasts the better part of a week if you don't scrub it off every day with soap. I use it at most once per week. You can find recipes online for diaper rash cream, zinc oxide or sun block. Use them to figure out the basic ratios, omit all the irrelevant junk, and make something simple and pure.

oooooh! I just found this one that looks really nice and easy on the skin!



the image is from the blog of course.

Coconut oil
shea butter, cocoa butter or mango butter (or a mix of all three)
beeswax (pastilles)
Optional: Vitamin E oil
baking soda (Omit this if you have sensitive skin and just use extra arrowroot)
organic arrowroot powder or non-gmo cornstarch
2-3 capsules of high quality probiotics that don’t need to be refrigerated (I love Bio Kult brand)- optional
Optional: Essential oils of choice – I used about 20 drops of lavender essential oil

My wife and I found a lack of selection and even the "natural" or "organic" ones to have things like glycol, nano zincs, GMO derived ingredients, or other unpronounceable chemicals. She started making them for us from similar ingredients to some of the other posters like coconut oil, beeswax, arrowroot, baking soda and they work well. If anyone needs a list to make their own, she has all her ingredients on 4 essential oil scents listed here: https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/LostSavannaFarm?ref=search_shop_redirect#

In June 2013, I embarked on my poo-less journey, which I continue to this day. At the same time, I quit deodorants and decided to try simple white vinegar. This was just the bulk, cheap vinegar in the salad dressing section of the supermarket that here in Australia goes for around $1.40 for a 2 litre bottle. I poured it into one of those plastic misting bottles that one might use to keep small indoor pot-plants moist, and used that to spray under my arms. Brilliant!

Yes, there is a vinegar smell after spraying, which persists for all of 30 seconds, then completely disappears. And I find that it deodorises for easily 24 hours after applying, at least until I next shower and use it again.

The attached is from James Duke's The Green Pharmacy.

Now that the day is mostly over, I can give a review of my first time using baking soda as a deodorant.

In the morning, it was a little awkward trying to figure out how to dust my armpits with baking soda. What worked, for me, was to take a cloth or tissue and dab it with water to pick up the baking soda, and I then applied it like that to my underarms.
One thing I noticed during the day at school was that I actually sweated less often than when I wear deodorant. I think this is because, many deodorants clog underarm pores with aluminum dioxide to stop sweating, but it possibly backfires in more sweating because the body is trying to cleanse its pores and breathe. Without clogging my pores, I sweated less.

The baking soda did a wonderful job of absorbing any scents, and I didn't have any of that gunk that storebrand deodorants leave stuffed up in the underarms.

I'll give an update after a few more days pass and to follow up on the results.

Going pretty well. I have not had any complaints from anyone, and I don't smell anything. I used some black cloth to check if there was anything left in my underarms; there was. I probably couldn't see t when I tried checking with a lighter shirt last week. Really, that is kinda the result I expected because what is the body going to do with baking soda? There isn't any reason, that I know of, why baking soda would be taken up by the body. So yeah, it would just sit in my underarms all day.

Devon Olsen wrote:is there a certain product that natural grocers may carry that would be similar to some of the solutions you guys have found?
just looking for an alternative that can still be bought/picked up at a local store...

I have been using Tom's of Maine, sparingly.

Don't know what everything in it is, I'm sure it's not quite as natural as others' solutions here. There is propylene glycol along with zinc, vitamins, plant oils, and sodium stearate (I think that's like beef tallow, it shows up in soaps).
It's more plant-based and less chemical than the perfumed anti-perspirants, and it's aluminum-free.

One thing I notice is that it helps to apply it immediately after a shower, instead of waiting for bacteria to build up. It doesn't keep me from perspiring, but does reduce smells. Since I don't shower every day unless I've been doing "dirty" work, I am not re-applying every day. I have noticed that I can go for up to a week between showers this way, my skin will want a bath before I notice any smells with this. Whereas I usually notice a little odor after a day or two, or with the first social nervousness, if I skip it. Sometimes I forget and it's not a problem, if it's a stress-free week. I will also do a sponge-bath of the pits or any smelly areas more often if needed, and let them dry completely, helps quite a bit.

Ernie likes work out heavily and sweat hard the "good" way - get rid of some of the nervous-sweat effect and the stress that causes it.

For deodorizing shoes, I've had good results with baking soda. I pour a tablespoon or so into each shoe, shake it around, leave it overnight or just put them on and wear them. Got rid of an odor in one pair of shoes so nasty I thought it might be cat-pee, and I was considering getting rid of the shoes.

I like concept of including probiotics, seems like a permaculture approach to reduce the stinky microbes by out-competing them.

Another idea I like, but haven't tried:
Tom's of Maine says it includes "lichen-based ingredients" to reduce body odor.
Usnea lichens are anti-infective. Some people have used them as a wound-pack for injuries, though by modern standards this would not be considered best sanitary practice. (Not to be confused with the bright-green Letharia Vulpina - most usnea are grey or dull grey-green.)
There are lots of kinds of Usnea, and they grow in most places.

Usnea image, credit: Wikipedia (see article linked above)

I could see making up whatever scent or soda-water or whatever you prefer, and then try applying it with a "sponge" of this type of lichen.
I would think applying to unbroken skin to reduce microbial growth would be a safer use compared to their historic use as wound anti-infectives.

Again, haven't tried it, but it's easier to find than a supermarket where I live.

On a related note:
I found a neat medieval hygiene tip in the Tudor Monastery Farm BBC series, nice videos for a winter evening. One of the actresses demo'd hair combing, and pointed out that it was an alternative to bathing with water when water was considered unhealthy (a disease vector, "opening the pores" to plague or, by modern lights, potentially increasing one's attractiveness to fleas). The fine-toothed comb helps free the scalp of any dirt or skin flakes, spreads natural oils through the hair.
I usually prefer a hairbrush over a comb because it's faster at getting out tangles. I would often have scalp itch or flakes that would bother me, and as a teen I used a lot of anti-dandruff shampoos, later switching to more natural tea-tree oil types, but there's still a lot of chemicals in there.
With the fine-tooth comb approach my scalp feels a lot better, and the oils are spread out more evenly so I don't feel the need to wash it as often. Surprising when old-fashioned advice like "100 strokes a day" beats "better living through chemistry" on a performance basis .
I still use shampoo every week or two, but in such small amounts I haven't had to buy more in about 3 years.

-Erica

I have not used deodorant for YEARS and rarely have odor. I attribute this to eating better. I also feel that not applying garbage to my underarms eliminates the environment for bacterial growth. Usually those rare cases of odor can be traced to a stressful situation. A bit of Tea Tree oil helps with those rare instance.

Erica, dandruff usually is a fungal overgrowth INTERNALLY. Topical treatments only cover symptoms, that is why it comes back worse whenever you quit using them. Holistic fungal cleanse cured me. Not easy, but worth it.

When my BO gets bad I wipe my pits with iodine. I need the iodine anyway.

So I ordered the magnesium oil from Amazon, here is my review:
First, it was unquestionably effective in preventing underarm odor. However, there was a pronounced sting in the area I applied it. I decided to keep using it to see if the sting would diminish after a few days, but it never did. The sensation was bad enough some days that I had to wash it off to end the discomfort!
Also, it was watery and tricky to apply,so I put it in a mister bottle. Then had overspray, which was messy because the stuff is kind of sticky/oily, hard to describe. I noticed it left a residue on the floor that had to be cleaned up with a wet rag. This messy overspray also got in my mouth
somehow, and that's how I know that magnesium oil has a vile, wretched taste.
Sounded good but not something I'll be using.

I make mine. 2 tbsp coconut oil (anti bacterial, deodorant, moisturizer), 1 tbsp baking soda(deodorant), 1 tbsp arrowroot powder or cornstarch(absorbs moisture), and 5-10 drops lemongrass/tea tree essential oil(antibacterial, deodorant) plus whatever oils you like for scent.

I've been trying a new strategy: I never use soap on my armpits when I shower. I use soap other places, but on the pits I just give it a little scrub with a washcloth to exfoliate. After a couple weeks, I've been noticing a serious decrease in funk. I learned this trick from a friend, who had the same result. My guess is by eliminating soap, I'm giving my pits a chance to balance out good vs. stinky bacteria.

With this method, days I forget to use anything on the pits, are generally fine. Days I need to be sure about not stinkin', I use a bit of baking soda.

-Rachel Watersong

I like it Rachel. Might try that. I've been really struggling with my pits situation lately because I haven't shaved them in a really long time and I think that adds to the smelly issue. I've tried washing with the water/baking soda solution I wash my head hair with, and that works to get the smell out, but then after a few hours they are back to smelling again. I've tried putting dry baking soda on them and that sometimes works but not always. I think I need to make some actual deodorant, maybe something like Michelle's, because the whole not doing anything isn't really working. I don't mind my smell, but I'm sure other people do. lol.

I wear deodorant when I go to work, but rarely any other time. As mentioned keeping the area trimmed helps with odor.

You can buy the crystal stuff at pharmacies if you check, at least I know Rite-Aid carries it if you have those in your area. I can't remember the brand name, but it came in a clear pinkish round, "twist-up" tube.

Lately I've been using a Tom's of Maine natural deodorant. It's expensive, around $5 a stick, but works decent enough, and you can find it at Walmart or Target. It's usually kept with the women's deodorants, though they also have one branded for men (they're the same thing). They carry unscented then scents like lavender and such.

A girl I work with has recently taken to using fresh limes, and she's been happy with the result. Literally cuts a lime in half and rubs it on.

R Scott wrote:Erica, dandruff usually is a fungal overgrowth INTERNALLY. Topical treatments only cover symptoms, that is why it comes back worse whenever you quit using them. Holistic fungal cleanse cured me. Not easy, but worth it.

When my BO gets bad I wipe my pits with iodine. I need the iodine anyway.

I'm thoroughly convince what most people call dandruff is simply dry skin from the constant use of shampoo that strips the oils from the scalp.

I've also gave up shampooing all together. Now my hairs short, so it rarely gets terribly dirty anyway, but since I've quit it looks better and I've yet to get "dandruff". If my hair ever gets too greasy (sometimes I don't shower daily) I'll spray some apple cider vinegar in it then immediately rinse it out. Cleans any of the greasy feel, and after a few minutes the vinegar smell goes away.

I have been making my own deodorant for several years now and it's very easy and inexpensive. I mix a small amount of micronized zinc oxide (NOT nano) with my lotion until it get thick. You can get a bag of cosmetic grade zinc oxide on Amazon for $6-10 and it will last for years. I only apply a small amount to cover the pitular area and it works for days, which no other deodorant has been able to do for me. This is essentially the same as the NOW brand cream deodorant that they no longer sell so I started making it myself. It also helps with any rashes or skin irritations.

The beauty of this is that I can use the same technique to make a nice sunscreen. I just use less of the zinc oxide so that I don't glow white. We get some wicked sun here in Denver due to altitude and it protects my German/Irish skin very nicely.

Morgan Morrigan wrote:Here is a new one on me, Milk of Magnesia !

Looks like you should keep it around anyway for a little shot in the morning!!

http://www.gaiaresearch.co.za/magnesium.html


You should also go to the "research" section on his page, and read about the "organic" food poisoning he talks about.
Good info on sunscreen, and fruit there too.

I use milk of magnesia (make sure it doesn't have bleach in it, just magnesium and water). Leave it open for a day or two to become thicker.
I tried baking soda and that made my underarms awfully red and itchy. I reserve baking soda for laundry and tile scrubbing.

Erik I recommend you give the old Silver method a try! It can be a bit of a pain however, first make sure that your skin can handle Silver without breaking out(I have never in my life heard of a person allergic to it) once you know you are silver-safe order a few small 99% silver bars(Last time I priced them they were $13) each 2 or 3 should last about 300 lifetimes. The key to using it is basically to replace the aluminum in the deodorant with silver. Instead of it clogging and blocking sweat the silver will disinfect, kill most germs, viruses, and bacteria.(there used to be a list of virus, bacteria, protozoa, and parasites that were destroyed by silver. however the site shut down long ago) Till today they continue to use colloidal silver for wound therapy, steroidal issues, inflammation, and over all health. I cannot see how it wouldn't help you. Personally I use silver when I sleep.(probably one reason I sleep alone....LOL) Good luck finding the best solution!

I have this one:
6-8 Tbsp Coconut oil (solid state) 1/4 cup baking soda 1/4 cup arrowroot powder or cornstarch (arrowroot is preferred)
Directions: Combine equal portions of baking soda & arrowroot powder. Slowly add coconut oil and work it in with a spoon or hand blender until it maintains a firm but pliable texture. It should be about the same texture as commercial deodorant, solid but able to be applied easily. If it is too wet, add further arrowroot powder/cornstarch to thicken. Should be kept cool.

Been reading some good ideas of changing diet here in order to avoid odors. Avoid acidifying foods and especially take advantage of your body's need to cleanse in the morning by taking in sufficient liquids [fruit, water, whatever works for you].
Food for thought: did you know that a lot of Asian people don't even have body odor? Apparently they hardly sell the stuff in many countries.
This expert on essential oils i once listened to mentioned a drop of camphor, i believe, to stop odors in the armpits. I didn't write it down so i could've remembered wrong. Something with a C... :-/

Also consider that clothes washed in (near) boiling water do not start to smell as quickly as those washed in low(er) temperatures. People used to cook their clothes and then hang them outside to dry, thereby subjecting them to the disinfecting UV rays of the Sun. A dryer is cool but so wasteful.

Kathryn McCoy wrote:I had the same problem decades ago, which caused me to begin trying all the organic, natural deodorants out there. Aluminum is used in antiperspirants to cause you not to sweat, it blocks the pores. For women, it is especially unsafe. The tumors removed from women with breast cancer, are extremely high in aluminum. Cant imagine that it is any healthier for men and the whole idea of blocking your pores, which you need to filter, anyway, seems irresponsible to your body.

I tried numerous natural deodorants and found one I love, Desert Essence with tea tree oil that also has lavender oil, both of which are natural anti-bacterials. It is the bacteria that causes the odor. I also found, many years ago, as my diet changed to healthier food, and more fresh food, the less I even needed the deodorant.

On a whim, I have tried brushing my underarms with the baking soda recipe some suggested. I was okay for a wee bit, but then began to irritate my underarms. I also tried the lavender powder and that worked well.

Now, with all that said, I am a woman and oestrogen is a good thing for me, but recently, in researching a number of subjects dealing with all the hormones going into everything under the sun, I came across the subject of men getting too much oestrogen, not just from the BPA in drinking bottles and this causing a rise in men with prostate problems and the feminizing of men, even baby boys being born with way too high oestrogen and developing boobs, but in other products. In further researching this subject, I found that cellophane was high in phthalates, a xenoestrogen, which mimic oestrogen. That caught my eye, because I knew that tea tree oil and lavender oil, both have phthalates. Both of which are in so many products in the organic and natural  industry. So while both oils may be anti-bacterial and help control underarm odor, if you are a man and have the xeno and phytoestrogens inundating you from many sources, having them in your deodorant may not be a good thing.

Thanks for the information. I was unaware of Dessert Essence.

My alternative to underarm deodorant is nothing at all... Works great. Is inexpensive. Is completely non-toxic...

I registered to post my love for magnesium oil. While it feels oily, it's actually a highly-concentrated salt dissolved in water. When you first start using it, it stings for a few hours after application. I'd compare it to a good, red sunburn. It was uncomfortable at first, but I waited it out as it declined over two weeks. Ever since then, it's been a painless, effective deodorant. However, if your underarms are moist, I've found that it can still cause a slight sting. Therefore, I stongly recommend that you completely dry your pits before application.

I like to mix 15 drops of cedar oil in with my Mg oil and keep in a 2oz. spray bottle. I found that the oil is more effective if I first spray a mixture of one part apple cider vinegar to four parts water, let it dry, then follow it up with a couple sprays of the oil.

I tried magnesium oil, but diluted in half with water, and it didn't sting my underarms. That said, I am using 600 mg of magnesium to prevent headaches for couple of months, and there is a theory, that it stings, if body is not used to having enough magnesium. I didn't try full strength yet though.

Dorothy Hatfield wrote:Weleda makes a very nice deodorant in a glass bottle and a pump spray that has essential oils. I use the sage. Smells lovely. Just about everything in a regular store is garbage and would make anyone with a decent immune system break out and most of the stuff in health food stores doesn't work - Weleda is a nice alternative.

For almost 15 years I have gone without conventional antiperspirant deodorant.

Two things to note.. when you first stop using conventional deodorant it takes time for your pores to push all that gunky wax out of the way & open up with clean sweat.
So you have to give your body time to flush out the wax & bacteria that has been pent up in your skin.

Next... when you use natural or no deodorant you will notice that your pits will smell of your diet & if you eat conventional junk food you will notice the odour in your sweat.

I got some of the Weleda it was ok but expensive for something that gets used up so fast. So.. in that same little bottle I made my own concoction & have been using it all summer.

I'm very happy with it.

I have pretty oily skin & do not shave but once a year, so the formula works for me.

THE RECIPE

Get 2 or three organic lime leaves - leaving them whole gently place them in the Weleda spritz bottle

add one pinch of epsom-salt

and a very small drop of EO of your choice ( I like berry blossom)

Fill the bottle with rubbing alcohol or vodka

Shake well & let stand for 24hrs before using.

some deodrants work by block the skin pores and this may cause skin rash for some people so before you buy deodrant read about its components and how it works to avoid this allergy.