The Quest for a Natural Deodorant, or, The Stinky Pit Conundrum Part 1

Why This Topic?

One fact I learned through my research on natural products is that commercial deodorants and antiperspirants have aluminum as their main ingredient, because of its antiperspirant properties. There is much debate out there concerning this ingredient, because it has been stated that it could be linked to breast cancer and Alzheimer's disease. However, many companies and government entities have stated that there is no proven link between aluminum zirconium/aluminum chlorohydrate and health problems. 


Even though the danger of aluminum has not been proven, there are still plenty of other chemicals in commercial antiperspirants and deodorants that are not good for us: parabens, propylene glycol, TEA, DEA, tricolsan, artificial colors, and talc. 



You can read about the debate and more information about these ingredients from the following websites:
WebMD
Natural Cosmetic News
Truth in Aging
Cancer.gov


Above all, you have to decide what you want to believe. For me, I feel that even though the dangers have not been proven, I'd rather not take the risk. I just feel better when I know that the products I rub on my skin are free of harmful chemicals. 

What We Do Know:

Deodorant and Antiperspirant are actually two different products, but many modern commercial brands combine the two. 


What's the difference? Well, antiperspirant is meant to stop or minimize sweating so that you stay dry. Deodorant is meant to stop the growth of bacteria from your sweat, so that you don't stink. Antiperspirant works because the aluminum particles actually go inside your skin and clog your sweat glands, thus stopping your body from the natural process of sweating. Deodorant contains ingredients that don't stop you from sweating, but instead inhibit the growth of the stinky bacteria when you do sweat. 


Now don't get me wrong -- I hate sweating!!! It's especially horrible in the summer here in Las Vegas, when temperatures reach 118 degrees and I feel like I'm roasting in an oven the second I step outside. I know when I go somewhere that I'm already going to be sweating and feeling gross, so the last thing I want to do is stink! So I set out to find a natural deodorant that works. The following is my review and experience using a product called Naturally Fresh Deodorant Crystal.

Review:  Naturally Fresh Deodorant Crystal - Fragrance Free Roll-On

The last time I was at the Sunflower Market, I checked out their selection of natural deodorants. Even though I love the toothpaste from Tom's of Maine, I was hesitant to try their deodorant because I have seen reviews online that said it didn't work, so I didn't want to take the risk for $6.00! 


Instead, I chose to try the Roll-On Fragrance Free from the Naturally Fresh Deodorant line since it was on sale. Regular price is $3.99, and it was on sale for $3.19 for a 3 oz. container. Normally I would go for a scent, but the fragrance free was the only one on sale, so I decided to give it a whirl. I have used it now for just about a week, because I wanted to give you some good feedback. 

Pros:

1. Easy to roll-on and has a nice big roller ball.


2. Very little scent. It is fragrance free, but it still has a little bit of a fresh scent to it, probably from the chamomile or phenoxyethanol that are the last two ingredients.


3. Lasts throughout the day if I am indoors and not sweating. If I am working out or outside sweating, I'd say it works well a max of about 5-6 hours and then I need to reapply.


4. Paraben-free, propylene glycol free, and not tested on animals.


5. Hypoallergenic.

Cons:

1. It's very wet when you roll it on. You really have to wait until it dries before you get dressed or do any moving, or it won't work as well. I made this mistake and thought the deodorant wasn't working, but then when I let it totally dry, it worked fine.


2. Scent - I think next time if I buy this again, I will go with a scented one. I like my deodorant to have a little bit of a pretty smell to it.


3. Freshness - I'll be honest here, it took me a few days to trust this deodorant and I kept checking myself to make sure I didn't smell. Because it's not an antiperspirant, I did sweat, so I didn't feel quite as fresh out in the heat. 


4. Wearing off - Before I learned to let it dry COMPLETELY before getting dressed, I was annoyed that it seemed to wear off quickly whenever I was active.


5. It contains potassium alum, which there is some debate about as well. Potassium alum is a type of aluminum, but supposedly the particles are large and do not absorb into your skin. This is okay with me, but it may be a point of contention for some people.

VERDICT: 

I will definitely continue to finish up this bottle, but I'm not sure if I'll buy it again. However, it definitely is a reasonable price, even when not on sale. 


Honestly, I've never really liked roll-on deodorant, so I think that's part of the reason I'm not as enthused. I will buy a different brand in a stick next time and write another review at that point, and then keep trying them until I find a keeper!

Where to Buy:

As I mentioned above, I bought mine at Sunflower Market, but you can order it through their website, www.naturallyfreshdeodorantcrystal.com. I have also seen it on Amazon.com, but only in packs of 3 or more. 

Disclaimer:

I have given you my experience with this deodorant, but it's true that everybody's individual body chemicals are different and will react differently with various products! I have tried a plethora of commercial antiperspirants/deodorants over the years and I still haven't ever found one that I absolutely love. My body also tends to "get used to" deodorants after a few months of use so I tend to buy a different one each time. 


Which deodorant do you currently use and are you happy with it? Please send any questions or comments my way! Thanks for reading and I look forward to hearing from you!


Until next time,
J


Other posts you might enjoy:
Natural Body Lotion
My Favorite Toothpaste