Green Your Routine: The Deodorant Guide

11 by Becky Striepe on July 3, 2009

Armpit Smellers. CC photo by Flickr user jekert

We're used to smelly hippie jokes around these parts, but living a healthy, eco-friendly lifestyle doesn't have to mean letting hygiene suffer. It does, however, mean making some informed decisions.

A Journal of Applied Toxicology study recently linked the aluminum in traditional antiperspirants to breast lumps, and that's not all that stinks in conventional deodorants. Just check out the Skin Deep listing for Secret Unscented to get the gist. Most conventional deodorants and antiperspirants aren't much better.

Here are some of my favorite deodorant options, straight from my medicine cabinet, that are easier on the planet and on your body:

Tom's of Maine Unscented ($4) - This goes on like a traditional stick and smells a little bit citrusy, despite being unscented. I swear to you that this smells like Cheerios when you get a little sweaty. Don't ask me why.
Naturally Fresh Deodorant Crystal Roll On ($3.50) - The mineral salts do a good job of keeping you unstinky. This roll on doesn't have any scent to speak of. Ladies, if you just shaved your pits you might want to save this one for tomorrow. The salts sting a little if you've just shaved!
Kiss My Face Liquid Rock ($5.50) - Another roll on, the Kiss My Face variety uses willow bark extract. Despite its name, it doesn't have any mineral salts in it.
JASON Lavendar Deodorant ($6.30) - Another stick, it has a really nice lavendar scent. I usually have to reapply this one mid-day.
Crystal Stick ($5.30) - This is the very first natural deodorant I ever tried. Rather than a stick or roll on, you dampen the rock under the tap, then apply. You'll get much, much better results if you apply as soon as you've toweled off after your shower.

If you're in a DIY sort of mood, it's easy to make your own spray deodorant! Just mix around 40 drops of your favorite essential oil in a 2 ounce spray bottle full of rubbing alcohol. For extra bacteria-fighting power, try oils with antiseptic qualities like tea tree, lavendar, peppermint, or sage.

When you make the switch from conventional to a less harsh brand, you'll want to pick up a few different types. Your body gets used to a routine, and if you use the same deodorant for too long, it won't work as well, Try rotating three or four types throughout the week, never using the same stick for more than a couple of days in a row. You'll see much better results!

Of course, you may wonder if you really need deodorant at all. If you're able to drop the deo all together, more power to you!

Image Credit: Creative Commons photo by jekert

http://morethansound.net Lyon

It’s true, even trace elements of dangerous chemicals can have adverse on our health, and now it seems common elements can be counted as dangerous too. For more on the health implications of the food we consume and the products we buy listen to this clip: http://www.morethansound.net/samples/Ecological-Awareness_in_15-minutes.mp3
In the first section, Daniel Goleman talks with Dara O’Rourke, creator of Good Guide, a system that allows users to select products based on their health, environment and ethical implications. Also be sure to listen the last part, where Goleman talks with Michael Lerner about the connections between personal and planetary healing. Find out more about the series at morethansound.net
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Crystal

It’s not hard to find a natural solution for deodorant… All deodorant does is cover scent. I think the hard thing, which wasn’t really addressed here, is that these natural alternatives aren’t going to prevent or control sweat. It would be nice to believe that having a damp spot under your arms is socially acceptable, but it’s really not. I’d like to hear whether there is any kind of natural alternative to anti-perspirant.

I like this site though, two green thumbs up!

http://glueandglitter.com/ Becky Striepe

That is an excellent point, Crystal!

One thing I did notice….shortly after I gave antiperspirants the boot, I started sweating a bit less. Strange, right? I don’t know if other folks have had this experience, but I definitely get less sweaty now that I just use deodorant, especially since starting a rotation with several types.

I’ve also noticed that certain fabrics show sweat less and make me sweat less. Everyone’s body is different, but you might start keeping track of what tops make you sweatier.

There’s also always layering, if you can! A tank top or t-shirt under what you’re wearing helps prevent sweat marks on your outer garment.

http://www.paystolivegreen.com Patrick

I had the same thing happen to me. Once I stopped using antiperspirants, I no longer sweat as much. I also stopped getting stains on my armpits from all the chemicals in deodorants. Another thing that I notice is that I don’t smell as bad either. Sweating under our armpits is a natural body function that antiperspirants tries to stop. Let you body function as it should and only try using natural deodorants or homemade methods to reduce moisture.

http://strawberryhedgehog.com Tracy

Have you tried Arm & Hammer Essentials Unscented Deodorant? I am in love with it! Smells like orange and a hint of coriander from essential oils. Fragrance free, aluminum free, and hard to come by – paraben free. Our temps have been hovering around 110 and finally now getting down to 100 and this stuff keeps me smelling good for hours! I’ve found it far more effective than other conventional deodorants (non-antiperspirants) and other “natural” deodorants. Thanks for the great list!

Becky Striepe

Oh wow, I hadn’t tried this one! I’ll look for it online. I like to have at least one heavy hitter in my rotation for long days like craft markets.

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http://yedxxx.com/ หี

OMG ~ Smell or Good ^^
http://glueandglitter.com/ Becky Striepe

Thanks for the link, Mandy!

The study linked above is actually referring to benign breast lumps, not cancerous ones. It’s heartening to hear that the aluminum/breast cancer link isn’t conclusive, though! I certainly have fretted some about that, since I used conventional antiperspirant for ages before making the switch.

I totally hear you on worrying about being stinky. If you’re thinking about experimenting with a more natural deodorant, you might try stashing one in your purse to reapply mid-day. It makes a huge difference!
http://glueandglitter.com/ Becky Striepe

It really is tricky! Even if you have certain ingredients in your head that you’re trying to steer clear from, it’s sometimes tough to find products free of those things. It’s frustrating that harsh, questionable chemical ingredients are the norm in conventional beauty products.