Good Looks
Natural deodorants: Do they stink? We test four
Photo via Beyondjane.com
Not all fitness conscious New Yorkers are able to pull off the “great unwashed” method of going deodorant-free without ending up as the subway-car pariah on the way home from spinning class.
But while you may want to smell fresh even through the toughest workout, you may also want to avoid some of the questionable ingredients in conventional deodorants and antiperspirants, like aluminum, parabens, and the ever-elusive “fragrance.”
We tested four popular all-natural products to see if they could stand up against some seriously sweaty circumstances:
Naturally Fresh Deodorant Crystal Roll-on
Price: $3.99 at Duane Reade
Grade: A-
The crystal brands of deodorant always seemed a bit like a gimmick to me, but it actually worked. I used the roll-on kind, so I didn’t have to deal with moistening the actual crystal. This version is pure liquid, so when you apply, you have to hold your arms out and let it dry a bit before getting dressed. After an excruciating Power Yoga class that produced a very sticky mat, I could barely detect an odor. www.naturallyfreshdeodorantcrystal.com
Lavanila ‘The Healthy Deodorant’ Vanilla Grapefruit
Price: $18 at Sephora
Grade: D
I liked how smoothly it went on, like a conventional deodorant, but it had lots of thick white residue. I was willing to live with this, and the high price point, because when I opened this deodorant, it smelled fabulously sweet, citrusy, and fresh. But I had barely finished one chatarunga in a yoga class before I started to smell myself. Not my new-found sweet-citrusy self. My body odor was so bad that I spent the class trying to keep my arms as close to my body as possible, so as not to torture the yogi next to me. I think we both want our money back. www.lavanila.com
Tom’s of Maine’s Long Lasting Wild Lavender Deodorant
Price: $4.99 at Duane Reade
Grade: B+ or DISQUALIFIED
The fresh lavender scent lasted all of the way through an intense boot camp workout, and the application is smooth, with barely visible residue. The only downside is that it contains propylene glycol, which has been shown to cause skin and immune system irritation or respiratory toxicity in some studies. Since it’s a chemical named on the dirty dozen list of ingredients to avoid (though Tom’s calls propylene glycol a “natural gas from the earth,”), this product is technically disqualified from the natural deodorant category anyway. www.tomsofmaine.com
Soapwalla Deodorant Cream
Price: $10 at Spirit Beauty Lounge
Grade: A-
As a small-batch beauty product with roots in a tiny New York kitchen, I was smitten—yet puzzled about the packaging. This creamy deodorant comes in a tub and is applied with your fingertips, so they get sticky, but nothing a quick wash won’t fix. Despite the slightly grainy texture, my pits absorbed it almost immediately, leaving little residue. And it stood the test of a long day at work, then yoga. No B.O. detected. Though oddly, the scent reminded me of Vicks VapoRub rather than the rosehip seed oil it’s actually made of. www.spiritbeautylounge.com or etsy.com
—Lisa Elaine Held
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Great article, even better picture!
Thanks for this. It’s been my beef (free range, of course) lately that every non-class yogic event I go to reeks of BO. All those Get Your Hippie Twirly Dance On events–OMG, I want to holler: “Yoga party people of New York! May I introduce you to liquid crystal deodorant! Safe and non-smelly! And much more neighbor-friendly!” But alas, maybe this post will have to do. Meantime, I’d also vouch for Kiss My Face’s crystal deodorant. And, true confessions: When I really want not to have giant wet (albeit unscented) circles under my arms, I go with Almay’s Free (or something like that) anti-perspirant. Yes, it has evil aluminum, but way less other crap than the regular ultra-toxic kinds. Thanks, ladies!
I need antiperspirant, so natural deodorants have never cut it for me, but I tried to use it every other day if possible when I was using aluminum based products. I’ve tried Adidas brand natural antiperspirant with cotton, but it wasn’t that great. Now I’m trying Skin by Monica Olsen’s Dry (anti/deo) in Lavendar. I’m not sold on it. Will also try a Vichy non-aluminum product to see about that. Wish they could figure out a solution for us sweaty girls!!
Thank you for finally giving me the real reason why Tom’s burns my skin (as well as my partner’s). I thought we were just too sensitive. The effect of this chemical is really awful and long lasting. Nature’s Gate has a nice one, though you have to reapply repeatedly. Great article, very helpful! Thanks!
I am loving Avalon Organics Pure Effective Essential Oil Deodorant Spray. Using lavender and so far things still smell good! My friends swear by essential oil in general as a deodorant (don’t forget to dilute though, not supposed to put essential oils straight up directly on skin).
I question what is in the Crystal Roll-on Deodorant. Their site states alum…is that aluminum? Natural doesn’t necessarily mean safe. So glad the article pointed out the issue with Tom’s of Maine. FYI – there is no Tom and they aren’t from Maine.
I have been using Acient Spice from Miessence for years now and love how the clove and cinnamon essential oils get rid of ordor causing bacteria and the baking soda keeps me fresh all day. It is also certified by the biological farmers of Australia. You can check it out at http://www.betterchoices.miessence.com
Kiss My Face crystal roll-on has been a staple for both me and the hubs for more than a decade. And, Hippies: it comes in Peace Patchouli scent!
Hi Valerie,
I did a little bit of quick research, and it looks like the ingredient you’re seeing in the Crystal deodorant is Potassium alum, which is a salt, as opposed to Aluminum Zirconium, which is “true” aluminum and is the ingredient we’re generally trying to avoid in most conventional deodorants. The Environmental Working Group’s Cosmetic Safety Database gives potassium alum a score of 0, which means they consider it completely safe. Thank you so much for your sharp eye and for the other suggestion- we’ll definitely check it out!
Lisa
Hi!
I use Naturally Fresh Deodorant Crystal SPRAY- and I love it (they also make a mini travel-sized bottle). The roll on/solid crystal would start to stink after a while, but the spray is awesome.
Great article,
Katie
I just have to reinforce that Soapwalla is AMAZING! I can not and will not use traditional antiperspirants as they give me cysts (cant be good!!) and Soapwalla has officially kicked every other natural deoderant’s butt! :)
I’ve been using Soapwalla for the last 8 months and its ensured that my clients don’t have to know that I actually do sweat while I work on them. I like the scent, and it never irritates me like other “natural” deodorants. Bless you, Soapwalla Chef!
Anyone tried Pit Putty? I recently ordered it online but have yet to receive it. I’ve read rave reviews about it and am excited to try it.. They have several scents; I ordered the geranium lime.
I also like Origins organic deodorant spray. I use it over a roll-on crystal formula though because it doesn’t seem to hold out enough on its own.
That photo is from national geographic ( a story from years ago on the sense of smell) so “beyondjane” has stolen it and now so have you. Not cool. Please credit people for their work.
Thanks for pointing out the origin of the photo, Edina. We credited it to the source we got it from, which was beyondjane.com. There was nothing indicating that it had come from anywhere before that, so we would never have known.
Lisa
Soapwalla’s Deodorant Cream is a real “find.” It goes on dry (no chance of harming clothing), feels like nothing is on your skin, is entirely free of chemical or harsh additives, lasts a long time–and, IT WORKS!! The other products in Soapwalla’s line that I can personally vouch for are the restorative face serum and body oil. When you are ready to get serious about pure products try this line first.
I sweat A LOT and have tried pretty much everything:
Soapwalla made all of my white t-shirts a bright yellow if I sweat
Lavanila, I read, does have one very unhealthy hidden ingredient, so I stopped using it even thought I have 3 new bottles.
Crystal – didn’t work for me. I started to stink fast.
Dr. Haushka – is what I’m currently using and it’s great, but you would need a touch-up during the day, so I bring my Clean Well wipes and then just re-apply.
Hope this helps someone.
Thanks for the suggestions. I’ve tried Tom’s and LaVanila and neither worked for me (I’m a sweater, for sure). Sounds like they weren’t the best options anyway, so I’ll give a few others a whirl.
I can also vouch for Soapwalla. The deodorant is great. It holds up to ice hockey and rock climbing. By the end of the day the mild scent is completely gone and I am left with no smell! I love it!
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“Salubritas” is so far the best i’ve found. U can find it online. Pina Colada one smells good.
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Ive been using SoapWalla for the last two months and its pretty good though I sweat pretty badly and actually need an anti-perspirant it helps with the smell alot <3
I used to use a crystal roll on and it had absolutely no effect..
Arbonne just came out with Pure Mint Deodorant. It’s has a natural herbal fragrance with extracts from white tea, ginger and lemongrass. Vegetable enzymes and baking soda help neutralize oder. I love the way it glides on.
Informative article with illustrative examples.
My hubby and I have been making and using Colorado PitStik. It works great, smells wonderful and won the Healthier Alternative Trustworthy Brands Seal of Approval from TheSoftLanding.com!! Made with 5 natural ingredients and NO aluminum or parabens, you can even customize the scent with your favorite perfume or cologne. Look for it on Etsy and love it as much as we do!!!
[...] release the product," she says. She crafts her line of soaps, body oils, and more—including a genius cream deodorant—at Gowanus' Old American Can Factory, a communal building filled with artists and artisans. "I [...]
There is a new 100% natural scentless all body deodorant which is 24 hours or more effective, It’s called MgDeo, short for Magnesium Deodorant its water based, so no oiliness and mess, it has dead sea minerals, organic food grade ingredients, and vitamins, no aluminum, no baking soda, I read the ingredients list, and its clean from nasty chemicals, my wife is using it also while breast feeding, two pregnant woman in my family too, they are vegans, use gluten free products, and nature freaks. Works great for me.