under arm Deodorant alternative

I hope this is the right forum for this thread.

I have been having alergic reaction to deodorant.  I had a break out last year, and after several months of flare-ups it finally went away.  I went without deodorant during the winter and that was manageable. 
I started using one again in April and I'm having break outs again. 

What can someone use as an alternative?  (Ouch) I haven't use the deodorant I have now for a week and a half and I still have a rash.  It seems to be getting worse.  It is said that there is aluminum in that stuff.

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.

Great information Kathryn. 

Many other essential oils are anti-bacterial.  And now I am wondering about the phthalates in them..... hum. 

My teenagers back up our weak natural deodorant with white vinegar.  Seems a spritz of that last a good long time. 

We recently used the spritz bottle of white vinegar to help cure our poison oak infections, along with salt water it worked great to tame the itch and dry up the oak.

I use a salt stick as deodorant.

I too am interested in any further information on this topic.  For 4-5 years on and off I had underarm rash problems which would lead to dead, flaky skin and cracks in the skin that would leave me sore.  I fortunately don't have a bad odor problem so a couple years ago I just stopped using deodorant.  Everything seemed to clear up until I visited my mother and she insisted I wear deodorant.  The same conditions came back very quickly so I stopped using deodorant altogether.  I sometimes stare at the shelves of my local co-op and other places with organic-minded products but have been hesitant to buy anything, since underarm care seems rather enigmatic to me.  I imagine there must be a simple, elegant solution such as maybe applying baking soda or some other common but benign material.

I've tried a bunch of the co-op kind. They are mostly baking soda and some herb. I like the baking soda and hops kind.  None of them work as well as grocery store kind. In the winter I don't use anything.

Thanks all for the advice.  I'll try something else more natural. If I grow breasts I guess I will have another problem.

plain old baking soda works great. we have been using it for many years.  And it is cheap.

Our health food store carries the "Thai crystal" and I've used it for years .. works and no Aluminum and won the product of the year award it's first year. Trimming your "birds nest" .. helps also.

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.

As far as white vinegar goes - I'd never put it in or on my body. That's for floors.

Zinc oxide is effective, and only needs to be applied once a week under most circumstances. I was using Lavilin deodorant and found it works, but it was rather pricey. The ingredients were zinc oxide and a few herbal extracts. Switched to diaper rash ointment, works just as well.

Shower. Let armpit hair thoroughly dry. Before bed, apply to hair in armpit regions. Do not slather on skin as it can clog pores (sorry, women who shave their pits, not sure how you can use it).. Put on an old tee shirt, go to bed.

I also highly recommend the salt stick or salt crystal deodorants. They are more expensive than the other natural deodorants, but they work, they don't bother my skin and they last a LONG time.

My skin is freaky sensitive--so much so that even quite a few of the natural deodorants make my skin break out. I have to be very careful about the soaps and lotions that I use, too. The salt stick doesn't bother me at all and it works. I can sweat quite a bit and stay odor-free. Re-applying helps on especially hot days.

The only times it has failed me was for an intense nervous sweat. I wonder if anyone knows why a nervous sweat might have more bacteria or other odor producers than sweat from physical activity or heat. 

Jocelyn Campbell wrote:
The only times it has failed me was for an intense nervous sweat. I wonder if anyone knows why a nervous sweat might have more bacteria or other odor producers than sweat from physical activity or heat. 

emotional sweat is a different animal.  could be pheromones involved, but I'm not familiar with the specifics.

I don't use anything, and as long as I wash every day or three (depending on how much I'm sweating) and wear a clean t-shirt, I don't get any complaints. For awhile I left some California bay leaves in a bottle of baking soda and then put the baking soda on my pits; it smelled nice and bay-y. But I kept forgetting to do it and no one seemed to notice. Maybe I just don't have much smell.

I don't wear deodorant either.  and I stink.  showers help, but I give up scrubbing after a while because I can't ever get rid of the smell entirely.  the folks around me are very accommodating.

I don't use deodorant and if I stink, no one has told me. 

I'd just apple cider vinegar if I needed it.  Here is an interesting article:
http://www.health911.com/body_odor

I use a mix of baking soda, corn starch and rose essence.  I smell like my great aunt Anna.  (When she was alive.  I don't know what she smells like now.  

Most of the time we don't use anything though.  We're hoping to put in a Japanese bath soon so that we can soak and sweat every evening.  That's probably the best way to deodorize.

Jen

I cut down on diary, grains and sugar. No need for deodorant anymore. Before i was smelling like shit all day long, even right after a shower.

We've been using baking soda with essential oils added (homemade recipe) and it works great! 

I have two teenagers, and it was getting impossible to curb the little bacteria even right after bathing.  The BS is easy to apply, you can sweat right through it should you need to, and then reapply all without smelling one bit - super solution.  I love that your not reusing a stick product possibly spreading the bacteria - just pour a bit out into your hand and apply, clean application every time = perfect!

Right now I'm using 'Shower to Shower' powder, only because our traveling son left it here.  It actually does the trick for me, but it's winter time, so maybe I could get by with nothing at this point.  I have used baking soda and cornstarch mix, it was okay.  I might go back to that when the powder is used up and I can re-use the container. I never thought about scenting it.  I'll have to see what I have growing in the spring that can be added.

Jami, do you have your homemade EO oil recipe online?

I used to have two brands of deodorant/anti-perspirant, sometimes even three, and had to keep switching around. 

It's interesting what works for some folks, doesn't work for others.  It's all about body chemistry, I guess.

I know what you mean, I was using that rock deodorant for a while but started to get a rash and had to stop.  So we have done a lot of switching around also.

I take baking soda, about 1.5 cups fits in my shaker (old spice jar with sprinkle lid).  To this I add 4 drops of what I have on hand, and stir it real good, allowing it to sit and be stired for about a day or so.  This way the oil is completely incorporated.

If I use peppermint or spearmint EO you get a real tingle and brisk feeling (like eating a peppermint patty) for a few minutes after applying (feel the sensation .  Or I add lavender or cinnamon EO's (essential oils).  I try to choose oils that are cool in nature (oils have cool and warm properties like colors) and antibacterial, anti-fungal.  Cinnamon is warm, but I like it for the holidays..... And that's it.  I'm sure there are other EO's that would qualify, but I love the ones I've used and so I haven't expanded out as of yet.

I like the EO information on the http://www.camdengrey.com/ website, but I don't tend to buy from them any more.  I buy only organic and west-coast now, usually from Rose Mountain Herbs, as I live in that area.

There is lots of good info on herbs and oils on the Net, I'll see if I can find a handy chart and post back if I do.

I'm just amazed, after all the healthy deodorants I've tried on my teenagers, how easy and well this simple recipe works - you may have to reapply it everyday, or just after heavy work, but that's the great part it works after a shower or after moving leaves for a couple of hours.... and like I said you don't have to worry that you spreading germs back onto your stick deodorant.  I could use a stick after other people and it would make me stink in a couple of hours, which was not normal for me, so I know you can reinfect yourself or others using those applicator types.   

Thanks, Jami!  I'll have to figure out if I have something that will work.  My husband had an accident years ago and he does not smell things the same way we do.  Not that he'll have his nose in my armpit, but some times when I don't smell anything, he's really complaining!  Prime offenders are any mint, citrus, cucumber, watermelon...all stuff that I love, of course.

There is an upside to his 'affliction'.. I can cut a fart and as long as it's silent and I don't 'tip' to the side, he's clue-less to it.  Don't have to blame the dog, either.  He just can't smell it.   

My last lavendar plant didn't make it thru the winter last year and I don't care for the herby scents.  I might shoot for Rose and smell like Maid in Montana's great aunt Anna.  Or go plain Jane.

  You could try almond, and there are many others.  Check EO on Amazon for ideas.  Maybe your husband would like a woody smell 

Has anyone tried using infused oils, using olive oil as the base, to scent baking powder/cornstarch mixes?
I really try to use what I have on my property or in my kitchen.  I suppose using the cooking extracts wouldn't work as well, either?

Man, you were right about Amazon... lots of ideas there and prices seemed pretty reasonable to me.  The one time I checked for Lavendar EO locally, it was $22 (gasp!).  Probably was a bigger bottle than the ones on Amazon, but dang!

If I could use infused oils, that would give me a few options.

Lavender EO is always one of the most expensive oils.  You'll find that the ones which are antibacterial, anti-fungal and all around good healers are generally more expensive.  Lavender is high on this list.  One reason I lean toward peppermint it's pleasing with many of the same properties only not as strong.

I would think infusing your own would work great, but I would use 100% proof vodka, let it soak for a month to two, and use just like EO's.  I make my own vanilla with good Bourbon and organic vanilla pods/beans, soak for 2+ months and remove the pods.

thanks Jami,
I'll try some experimenting in the months to come.  I knew about making vanilla, but I couldn't find vanilla bean/pod in the stores that I looked at.  I'll try the natural place next time we're in that town.  I had a bottle of Mexican vanilla some years back and holy mama!  That stuff was so good.
Wish I could use the peppermint, but I end up chasing him out of the room if I'm chewing any kind of mint gum.

Ok, the following will make me sound like a crackpot but I am mostly not!

Last spring I started drinking a Thermos of Green Tea a day. I mix the green tea with caffeine with a white or red tea. This adds to the flavour and to the properties of each.

After about 2 weeks I noticed that my body did not smell even 10% of what it had before, after about 4 weeks I stopped using deoderent completely.  There was no smell even from my pits or from my sweaty feet!

Other beneficial side effects were, I was dealing with the heat and humidity much better, losing weight and generally feel better about myself.

This worked for me and to another person I told about, you still sweat, but you do not smell.

Here is a great natural deodorant recipe if you would like something to roll on: http://sustainablepersonalfinance.com/how-to-make-deodorant/

Very interesting about the green tea.

I haven't used a deoderant in years.
Only time I feel the need is if I have the nervous sweat that has been talked about, that does seem to create odor.

Maybe cuz I eat no red meat and only a tiny amt of fish/chicken.

If a person gets enough chlorophyll in their diet, they don't usually have a body odor, particularly if they bathe regularly. Lemon peel, with the inside part rubbed against the skin works well for some people.

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.

As far as white vinegar goes - I'd never put it in or on my body. That's for floors.

I love the Weleda sage deodorant. It's simple, smells great, and knocks back the bacteria that cause stinky arm pits.

You can make your own deodorant that is similar to weleda. Make a base of 20% alcohol and 80% water. The alcohol here is 190 proof (95%) grain alcohol(You can use vodka or some other alcohol but will need to increase the amount of alcohol added accordingly and decerase the amount of water.) The alcohol keeps the essential oil soluble. If you just add essential oil to water, it will float on top of the water. You can shake the bottle but the essential oil will soon be back on top of the water due to the fact that water and essential oils don't mix well. I don't suggest using rubbing alcohol either, although some people do. It is much more toxic than ethyl alcohol. (The kind people drink.) Once you have this base mixed up you can add essential oil to it. Weleda uses citrus oils. Start by adding 40-100 drops of the essential oils per oz of base. If you add too much you can irritate your skin. See how it works for you and decide if you want a different scent. Lavender and orange is nice together and make a good deodorant.

I have been using tea tree/manuka oil, Two to three drops lasts awhile. It is a drying oil which seems to make sense to me for use under the arm.
Good luck

Came across this study recently - hops have some value as a deodorant. Works the same way in beer - hops zap the gram-positive bacteria, leads to a ferment less likely to spoil and smell nasty.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19735518

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.

A trick from the migrant workers has really worked for me. I'd never thought it would be too effective but it works like a charm. Lemon juice. I just cut a very small slice of lemon and squeeze and smear it under the arms. It works best right after a shower. I think the lemon juice kills the odor causing bacteria, and actually stops them from coming back. The more you do it the less your underarms smell, I think the theory is. In my experience I found it to be true.

I am majorly happy with my new choice for deodorant: Magnesium oil. To balance the body's calcium, one is best-off to balance their magnesium. To balance one's magnesium it takes four months using magnesium oil on the armpits and knees where lymph glands are closest to the surface, whereas it takes one year to balance magnesium levels using oral supplementation. Magnesium oil is derived from the sea apparently, and it's a little stingy when you apply it to some skin, but in general, on the pits and knees it's not going to need to be washed off. But if you apply it to your hands it might sting but it will also make your sore hands feel really great; then wash it off. It completely obliterates body odor, it's feeding the body magnesium, it's like strength being delivered straight to your body, a mineral we need. Also, keep this in mind, radiation exposure in the environment causes the human body's magnesium levels to become depleted and they have now discovered that keeping your magnesium and calcium levels very well balanced will help protect the body's DNA. Below are some link.

Bottle that can be used to spray oil: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004RTIPRA/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=A2NVEKMQTGKOW8

Source for a big bottle of magnesium oil: http://www.swansonvitamins.com/Search?keyword=magnesium+oil&doSearch=true&ntt=&n=0&ntk=Level1&x=0&y=0

At this link it says Radiation causes large losses of magnesium and magnesium has a radiation protective action: http://www.puremagoil.com/benefits.htm

This link says magnesium and calcium protect the DNA from radiation: http://blog.imva.info/medicine/magnesium-calcium-protect-dna-radiation

Well, i tried the magnesium citrate (clear milk of magnesia) , didn't work well. Accidentally got cherry flavored milk of magnesia, and it has sweeteners, so havn't tried that.

Did have some good luck with the citrus !

Even better, had some citrus water they use in hookahs, and that works great. Tried the rose water too, but that only works as a mask for a while.

You can get the citrus floral water at any arabian grocery, or maybe a local head shop - if they sell hookahs.

Was cheap at the grocery - 2.50 a bottle!

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...