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Eco Stink

I hate that even today "green" still hast to fight the stigma of being inferior, costly and/or producing stink... ie: those folks that don't shower to save water, or what-have-you.

On top of this, I sweat.  I don't perspire.  Perspiring is for princesses, and although I have three friends that think I have princess qualities (I don't really), I don't perspire, I sweat like a pig.  And it is not clean smelling, I have to tell ya... it is that stinky "stress sweat."  The kind that stains your white tanks yellow. 

So, I am the ultimate tester for eco-deodorants... and a-testing I have been (sorry Cricket for those days where it didn't really turn out so well).  As the tip says, ALBA worked as well as my paraben-filled Secret, and the others that we listed I can wear on non-stressed, non-hot days.  I actually have taken to using the Miessence organic one before going to bed, after my shower, to get a jump start on it.  I don't care that my body is absorbing it since it is probably even good for me.  And should I have a scary dream, I won't stink up my PJs with stress sweat.

Off to give away all the products that didn't work to people who like practical jokes... I will tell them it works great and to wear it for good luck at their next meeting with their boss when asking for a raise. Jen

Posted by: jboulden on 05/02/2006
related tip

Aluminum, the active ingredient in most antiperspirants, raises more controversy than an Olympic judging committee. Although the judges are still out, aluminum has been linked to cancer and Alzheimer's disease, so for peace of mind, try a natural deodorant.

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Jeremy  on May 02, 2006 at 11:57 AM 11
I tried this recipe here in the tropics of Panama, where there are lots of sweaty people without the cash to buy deoderant: 1.) Slice a lemon in half, and then dust the face of it with baking soda. 2.) Smother your pits with the face of the lemon. 3.) Rinse lemon-half off, store in a fly free, cool place. Seems to work... and lemons and baking soda might be cheaper than deoderant in the long run.
PGB  on May 02, 2006 at 12:13 PM 12
I just found the Tom's of Maine apricot deodorant to work really well. At first I was skeptical about whether it would work, but after using it once I'm hooked.
Alyson  on May 02, 2006 at 12:15 PM 13
L.A. can get pretty sticky for months on end... and I swear by Kiehl's "Superbly Efficient Anti-Perspirant & Deodorant Cream." It squeezes neatly out of a little tube and, though it has citrus extracts, it is unscented. I just checked and, yes, it contains parabens, but it has no aluminum and contains mysterious and magical "micro-sized drying molecules." (P.S. Keep up the good work Heather and Jen! Love your blog.)
Donna  on May 02, 2006 at 02:42 PM 14
Lemon. I keep a fresh lemon in my fridge and slice off a thin wedge to rub under-arms after showering when the need starts to arise. Sometimes I've also used it in the shower. I've found that it cuts the stink for days! and when I do start smelling again, I smell slightly like maple syrup. Extremely low cost (free to me from my lemon tree), 100% organic, biodegradeable.... a truly green alternative that works! I've never tried the baking soda dusting as sugested by our Panama friend.... just plain lemon works great for me!
Anon  on May 02, 2006 at 04:41 PM 15
In regards to the parabens as preservative and the USP (US Pharmacopoeia)... I guess it's ok to them that parabens are classified as toxic, known as estrogenic chemicals and other endocrine disruptors, and therefore an ingredient that is not safe. If you're comfortable with that, then continue using whatever over the counterbrands are available out there. (http://tinyurl.com/fbjdg) BTW, they will also tell you the same about SLS (Sodium lauryl sulfate)... As for baking soda and tea tree oil, my only caveat is that they can irritate your skin so be careful if you leave it for prolonged periods. Mixing tea tree with a carrier oil (like jojoba or grapeseed) helps with this. I have recently tried scrubbing with baking soda in the shower (about a 1tbsp on each armpit), rinse with water, and then following with a spray of diluted apple cider vinegar and water (1/2 a part of each) and another rinse of water. This seems to work pretty well. I like to follow with an essential oil (because I like some scent) -- lavendar is good because it is also an antibacterial.
Sylvia  on May 02, 2006 at 04:56 PM 16
My lots-of-underarm-hair friend called me up raving about a Lush product, Aromarant. She even gave me my first bar. I love it for three reasons: 1) Lush does no animal testing and this product contains no paraben 2) it is effective in doing its job, and smells really pleasant (I love sandalwood) 3) it comes in a bar; no hard plastic applicator Lush has other deodorant bars that might be better suited for different skin types. From looking at the reviews, some people rave about Aromarant, and others are not impressed. Your mileage may vary.
jessica  on May 02, 2006 at 04:58 PM 17
Thanks for bringing this issue up. About 5 years ago, I started and on again, off again relationship w/ typical anti-perspirants - this was when I bicycling alot & training for a week long bicycle ride. APs just weren't enough, so I just went w/out! Anyway, now, I can't use the fragrance-filled APs, between the fakey, perfumey smell and just not working ... eww, just makes for slimey pits. I use a crystal deodorant, too, and sometimes will use Nature's Gate or Tom's of Maine. One thing that helps de-stink, using an exfoliating scrub in the underarm region while showering.
Kate Amon  on May 04, 2006 at 11:54 AM 18
I like the Body Crystal mineral salt deodorants too. The way to use these products best is to apply right after a shower. The mineral salts form a permeable (breatheable) layer that prevents the growth of stinky bacteria in your sweat - without attempting to clog your pores by preventing sweating. And your body needs to sweat to cool off of course. The Body Crystal/Thai mineral salt type deodorants come in stick, spray, roll-on, and powder. The powder is mineral salts and cornstarch (NOT talc, which is unsafe to inhale). The powder's my favorite because I like to feel dry right away. I have seen Body Crystal products also in hospital gift shops. Especially good for the scent-sensitive or immuno-compromised. I believe in them enough that I sell them too! ;)
Patricia  on May 04, 2006 at 01:37 PM 19
For the past two days, I have used cornstarch under my arms, and it works to keep me dry and odor-free. I originally used it to de-stink my very smelly dog, Freddie, in between trips to the groomer and it works great on him. It's a simple and inexpensive solution for yo' pits. I would suggest not using it straight from the box because that's... gross. Put it in a jar, dip your fingers in, and rub on your underarms. I don't know if it works in stressful situations, but it is working well for me right now. Is it green? I don't know if the cornstarch industry is dirty, but I'm assuming it's just starch from corn. In fact, the only ingredient on the box is "cornstarch." Patricia
Laurel  on May 04, 2006 at 03:19 PM 20
I can't believe that there are all these comments and no one mentioned Terressentials deodorant. I have tried EVERYTHING out there (yes, every brand listed above), and nothing works like their all-natural, all-organic roll-on. The scent I use is lemony (can't think of the name). It smells fabulous when it goes on, but later you can't smell anything...including stinky pits. And I only shower every other day!!! My husband & I did a "stink check" each morning & night for a week when I started using this - certain that we would smell something nasty eventually. We never did! Now that it is warmer, I sometimes re-apply in the afternoon, but I don't think I really need to. Try it! You won't believe your nose. The only problem is that my breast-fed son can't tell me by my smell any more ;-)
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