Lighter fare: Natural deodorants that work.

[BlueIris]

For those of us who either can't or won't use commercial underarm deodorizers, a thread to discuss what we've tried and how effective it was.

I've tried mostly the Jason and Tom's of Maine products. Jason smelled pretty but didn't really work for me. The Tea Tree kind was the most effective.

Tom's of Maine has been more effective--their plain, unscented deodorant is the most effective one I've used. For some reason, the ones with scents--I've tried the forest-y one, the Lemongrass one and the "sensitive skin" Bay Rum and Lime kind, are less effective. No idea why. Tom's of Maine uses hops in their deodorants. Maybe the fragrance interferes with the hops' staying power somehow?

A (male) friend of mine swears by Kiss My Face Peaceful Patchouli. He claims no other natural deodorants have ever worked for him. I haven't tried that one yet. Also haven't tried the various "crystal" deodorants out there.

Your experiences?

[liberalmuse]

1. I've used the crystal deoderants for years...

It's the only kind I use. It is more of a deodorant than an antiperspirant, however, it's good for the body to sweat a little. It lasts forever unless you drop it repeatedly and it becomes too small to use.

[japple]

2. I use the crystal, too. You can now get it in a plastic holder, just

like a stick deodorant, and it's not as apt to fall on the floor. It's much easier to use. In the past, before the advent of the plastic case, I always worried about that sharp jagged edge whenever I dropped it.

[PuraVidaDreamin]

3. Peaceful Patchouli works for me

12 hour days in an OR tough. Have a friend who lymph nodes swelled with Tom's. Used the crystals but
just wouldn't last the shift. The Kiss My Face stuff lasts a long time- around 6 months before buying new.

[Delphinus]

4. Kiss My Face ...

where would one find that product line?

[BlueIris]

6. They have it in all the natural/organic food stores here. It's among the cheapest of the

good nat/organic beauty brands.

Here is their site:

http://www.kissmyface.com/

[japple]

8. Kroger sells Kiss My Face products, but it's not in with the

rest of the health/beauty products. It's in the "natural foods" section in the back of the store, along with Dr. Bronner's Soaps, etc.

[get the red out]

5. Crystal lavender roll-on is my fav

http://www.vitacost.com/Naturally-Fresh-Roll-On-Deodorant-Crystal-Lavender/bnPageBox-pp_alsoviewed/vbnpid-45709

The Naturally Fresh Crystal Lavender roll on is my favorite. You sweat a little but don't smell, like someone else said it is good to sweat a little. I love lavender scented things too.

[crikkett]

7. Grapefruit seed extract

I make a solution of a few drops of grapefruit seed extract in a cup of water and then use it as a body splash after showering.

It works unless I have a very good reason to stink (too much butter, garlic, beer, asparagus, illness)

[kimmerspixelated]

9. HERBAL MAGIC

It's the only one that works for me. You don't have to re-apply. It comes in Lavendar and Jasmine.I haven't found any other scents available.

[NuttyFluffers]

10. this is weird but here i go, rubbing alcohol...

don't do this if you are allergic to rubbing alcohol, obviously.

but a 1:1 mixture of rubbing alcohol sterilizes the area and keeps it pretty dry. get a bottle from the pharmacy, mix 1:1 in a spray bottle and voila! lots of deodorant. throw on some scented talcum powder and you're good to go. one of the reasons i think in the past must not have been as smelly as we presume. they knew about isopropyl alcohol, talc, and oil along with various plant scents.

oh, and for absolutely magical insect repellant -- Listerine. all the menthol in it pisses off mosquitoes and the like. again 1:1 mix does the trick, and cuts down on the smell. since it is in an alcohol matrix, you can add other scents to it. any alcohol based perfume could have a few drops mixed in. it'd be like an eau de toilette -- that keeps away mosquitoes! used to slather that stuff all over me during summer in humid areas.

[northernlights]

11. I've been happy with Tom's of Maine forever

scented, unscented...all works for me