Natural Deodorant Fail
I am bummed!
I finally found a natural deodorant that works nicely (still some wetness–but a tolerable amount–and virtually no smell–even in the Texas heat), but now I’m experiencing itchiness and red irritation. When I talked to my mother about it, she explained that she has the exact same problem with natural deodorants. Here’s a complete list of the ingredients:
INGREDIENTS: Organic Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba) Oil; Organic
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Oil; Organic Rosehip Seed Oil;
Butyrospermun parkii (Shea) Butter; Organic Corn Starch; Sodium
Bicarbonate; Kaolin Clay; Organic Vegan Kosher Glycerin; Essential oils
of: Organic Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender); Organic Melaleuca
Alternifolia (Tea Tree); Organic Citrus Sinensis (Sweet Orange); Organic
Mentha Piperita (Peppermint); Citrus Aurantium Bergamia
(Bergaptene-free Bergamot).
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Oil; Organic Rosehip Seed Oil;
Butyrospermun parkii (Shea) Butter; Organic Corn Starch; Sodium
Bicarbonate; Kaolin Clay; Organic Vegan Kosher Glycerin; Essential oils
of: Organic Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender); Organic Melaleuca
Alternifolia (Tea Tree); Organic Citrus Sinensis (Sweet Orange); Organic
Mentha Piperita (Peppermint); Citrus Aurantium Bergamia
(Bergaptene-free Bergamot).
Everything seems so innocuous! Perhaps the issue has to do with when I’m shaving. Maybe if I shave in the evening and apply the deodorant in the morning I won’t have such a problem. But who wants to jump in the shower unnecessarily just to shave?
My other option is to make this homemade version. It seems easy. Amy over at Progressive Pioneer swears by it. Either way, I’m definitely don’t want to go back to aluminum or parabens. Ick!
19 Comments
H
I've heard bad things about corn starch, have you used it in anything else?
Leah
Hmmm… it could be related to shaving, or an ingredient reaction. I have been using this deodorant too and I love it!! Thank you for the rec! I haven't had any issues with it, but I also don't put it on after shaving. I keep a razor and some shaving cream in the medicine cabinet by the sink and shave my armpits there if I'm not taking a shower that night.
Anonymous
I ordered this right after your recommendation and I love it! I do shave at night so I haven't noticed any irritation from the deodorant. The only problem I have is it doesn't stay solid unless I keep it in the refrigerator.
Miranda
I use the roll-on deo from Tropical Traditions – it works VERY well and I never get any irritation from it. Ingredients are all natural. Original and lavender scent are both nice, I prefer the lavender b/c it's a little lighter.
Aimee
I have a similar issue of redness and irritation. The only one that worked for me was "the crystal" which I bought in a liquid roll-on. They come without scent or mildly scented (lavender). It worked well for me – I just made sure I would put it on right after showering. On really hot days I would apply it a second time. But it was the only brand that never gave me a rash! Hope you find something that works for you.
Sarah
Is just not shaving in the mix? I know it's the summer and all but really, it's not all-the-way a necessary function.
Honey
It's the corn… use arrowroot powder. Also coconut oil is wonderful JUST by itself. I don't notice being wetter and my armpits are not dry or itchy either. 🙂
~Honey
Anonymous
I had the same problem with this deodorant. Sucks, because it worked really well! I hope you find something else that works!
Hayley
It's the sodium bicarbonate. Believe me, if you start lurking around natural deodorant forums, you will see it come up time and again that anything with baking soda in it will eventually burn most people's pits. I've been making my own mixture of beeswax, coconut oil, shea butter, arrowroot powder, clay, and essential oils, and it is working like a charm in our 90+ degree heat we're having.
CM
Why not try the "the crystal" which others have mentioned, it works great! You sweat but no smell. I like the liquid roll-on versions, Tom's makes a nice one and right now I'm using Crystal Roll-On Body Deodorant. The Kiss My Face version gives me some redness.
Linh + Tina
Have you tried Tom's natural deodorant? i've been using it for a couple years and i love it. 🙂
Julia
I use the crystal but not the liquid form. I keep the actual rock in a little dish get it wet and roll it on right after I shower. This seems to work better than the roll on kind. I use Tom's on top of the crystal when I know I'll be working out a lot. Good luck on your deodorant journey!
Michelle
I'm in Austin and have been using the homemade one for 2 months now (I followed this post from another blogger whose was living in Dallas at the time, http://www.mommypotamus.com/easy-homemade-deodorant/) and it works great for me! I still notice that I have to scrub my underarms with a washcloth a couple times a week to really keep the stink away though. But the homemade is the best I've tried so far! I'm infusing some chamomile and calendula in coconut oil now and will make my next batch with the infused oil!
Maureen
Adding some tea tree oil or grapefruit seed oil to PP's homemade recipe will enhance the effectiveness! The coconut oil base does melt in the heat though.
Michelle
ditto Maureen! I forgot I add tea tree oil to mine! I put enough arrowroot and baking soda (aluminum free) in that it's solid too.
Katie Mae
I have been using that DIY recipe for about a year and I like it a lot. When my armpits are irritated from shaving, I just use some extra coconut oil before or after the deo. Tip: don't add peppermint oil. It really stung.
Mismikado
I've tried the homemade and love it! Have 3 sticks in the fridge now. Unfortunately I find here in Texas it works best not in the summer. I can't handle any hint of BO and once the days hit the 90's back in May, I had to switch back to antiperspirant. Especially now that we moved back to the RGV area with 100+ days every day and like 70% constant humidity O_O
Definitely plan on using the homemade again come fall 🙂
Allyson Mulcahy
Sarah, I'm glad to konw I'm not the only one that's been experiencing this with natural deodorants! My husband was using the Tom's deodorant, but had such terrible irritation (it was almost like stinging blisters!) that he had to stop using it. I thought he was crazy and was imagining a problem! Months later, I decided to start using it and not long after, I also got the same irritation! I almost wrote to them because I was so absolutely disappointed! Interested to find out exactly WHAT it is that's causing this and what we can do to prevent the irritation while still using something natural!
Jessica Reyna Brogan
I don't have any suggestions about natural deodorant, but you don't have to jump into the shower just to shave your pits…just splash a little water under your arms from the bathroom sink and use soap or shave cream to lubricate…I do this all the time, and then just dry off; using a hand towel dries me and removes any extra hairs hanging around 🙂 Easy, cheesey