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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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katie  on May 05, 2006 at 08:09 AM 21
I think that all of your suggestions above are great probably for the smell factor, but what works really well on sweat. I am talking even in the middle of winter when it isn't hot out that my shirts would be wet. No natural deodorant will help out there, I need major antiperspirant effects.
100% all natural gurl, the way nature intended  on June 09, 2006 at 01:42 PM 22
As a person with MCS [multiple chemical sensitivities] i appreciate when people not using chemicals on their body. I wonder why people are so afaid of the natural odor we emit? Sweat shouldn't stink and when it does it has to do with what you are putting in or on your body to cause it to react in a stinky way. The smell is simply your body's way of detoxing. Most deorderants simply cover up or mask the smell and are not effective and none of them will stop you from sweating. Sorry, it's just not gonna happen. Personally i don't use a thing and so far no one has fallen down dead b/c of it. In fact, i don't use any chemicals on my body.....it's just corporate aMERica trying to get our dollars by making us feel like we need something that we really don't.
Laura  on December 07, 2006 at 12:49 AM 23
So many of you seem to like the Tom's of Maine deodorant, but for me it actually *caused* a rather unpleasant smell... I think it reacted with my body chemistry in some weird way, which is why I think everyone's favorites may or may not work for everyone else. Right now I use Jason apricot stick deodorant, and it works really well... and by the way, it doesn't have parabens (you said in the tip that it did). Perhaps this is a recent change on their part. I originally made the switch only partly because of aluminum concerns... really I had developed some kind of sensitivity to regular deodorants/anti-perspirants, and was looking for something that wouldn't make me itch like crazy. The brand I had before it ran out had changed it's formula so even that gave me a bad reaction. The natural stuff doesn't bother me at all, so I'm happy I found one that works.
Guzzy  on February 09, 2007 at 05:22 PM 24
But all those crystal deodorants are actually made of aluminium salts! I wanted to switch but then when I read the back, surely they are as bad as just using regular AP?
Jessica  on May 22, 2007 at 02:16 PM 25
Last week I started to develop a really nasty allergy/rash to a deodorant I've been using for years, so I figured it was time to switch to a natural one. Based on this daily tip's recommendation, I went out and bought Alba's Clear Enzyme Tea Tree deodorant and unfortunately it really didn't work for me. I really gave it the benefit of the doubt, especially since I use many of Alba's other products and love them, but I ended up sweating more and being more smelly for 2 days with Alba's deodorant than I would have been had I gone without any deodorant at all. They were both very mild days where I was wearing cotton and was dressed appropriately for the weather and not doing any physical activity, so I finally threw in the towel. A friend of mine recommended Tom's of Maine. I went out and bought it (mmm apricot) and have been really happy with it.
Tara  on August 28, 2007 at 05:49 AM 26
crystal deodorants are potassium alum which is a natural mineral salt, inhibits bacterial growth which causes odor, thus eliminating odor, also known as aluminum sulfate, not absorbable through the skin. Alum, a naturally occuring mineral and aluminum are two different substances with different chemical properties.
joann  on February 24, 2008 at 01:30 AM 27
the best ive ever found can be found at beyond health.com its called indiumagic absolutely no odor no sticky film no alluminum
Chernjotr  on April 06, 2008 at 02:27 PM 28
I have tried the Terressentials (Lavender scent)with good success so far. I enjoy the scent, and I feel the deodorant also helps to keep me dry. One time, I did get a little sweaty, but I dried right up, without feeling tacky or sticky. I was surprised! Best natural deodorant that I have tried so far. For me, its a keeper.
Iydah  on April 11, 2008 at 11:44 AM 29
I actually make my own powder deodorant using cornstarch, baking powder, rosemary essential oil (has antibacterial properties), and sweet orange essential oil (to counterbalance the camphoraceousness of the rosemary). I apply it after a bath using a powder puff, and (best part) no funk! It has no antiperspirant properties (of course), but the powder does absorb sweat to a point, leaving you feeling dry on lighter sweat days.
chernjotr  on January 24, 2009 at 08:07 AM 30
If you go to Bubbleandbee.com, you can get some good information on some suggestion to help sweat not smell so bad (reduce caffine and red meat intake, etc), and how to detox your body when switching to an all natural deodorant. But, although they have ingredients to help absorb sweat (arrow root powder or clay), they are still deodorants, not antiperspirants! They will not stop your sweat glands from working...but that's the healthy point! I usually have to reapply on hot days, or days where I am stressed. I expect to have to do this, but I am fortunate that I don't have a job where I am sweating up a storm (I am not a welder or a CEO). Bubbleandbee will guaranttee that their deodorant will work, or they will refund. Terressentials holds no guarantees of any sort, but is still a nice product. Other products I have tried claim to be natural but had a lot of questionable ingredients, and I felt I may as well use Secret if I was going to put all those other chemicals near my lymph and sweat glands. Good Luck. Don't forget to go to Bubbleandbee to read the information on how to detox your sweat glands. It may mean a diet change, but it's that important.
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