You are viewing the community [info]vegetarian

Vegetarian
For the Animals, For the Earth, For Ourselves.
deodorant woes 
Profile
Name: The Vegetarian Community
Page Summary
Latest Month
April 2012
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
Search
Entry Tags
18th-Feb-2011 09:23 pm
ksstarbucks
[info]hardheartache
Hope I tagged this right.

Anyway, after becoming a vegetarian, I decided to seek out more animal-friendly products. I figured deodorant would be an easy one since there are a few cruelty-free brands out there that are readily available; plus, these brands were also more natural, which is an added bonus. However, I haven't been able to find an animal-friendly deodorant that doesn't wreak havok on my armpits. I thought natural products would be better for sensitive skin, but for some reason, my body has not been reacting positively to any of the deodorants I've tried.

Here's the rundown:
1. Tom's of Maine, which I have since discovered is rather notorious for causing a burning sensation upon application. I suffered through it for a while but decided to see if there was a brand that wouldn't make my armpits feel like they were on fire.
2. JASON is much more pleasant to put on but causes chafing (and itch because of the chafing). I'm not sure if I'm not applying it often enough or what; I tend to sweat a lot, and I don't think this kind is even an anti-perspirant, so I'm not sure what's going on.
3. Crystal Essence roll-on caused a horrible, itchy rash a couple of weeks after I started using it. I had to forgo deodorant altogether until it cleared up.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I've only tried scented versions, would an unscented version be more gentle? I did see that Tom's has an unscented version for sensitive skin, but I'm a little hesistant given the previous burnage. How well does unscented deodorant work? I'm almost ready to go back to my Dove, though I'm sure it is animal-tested and has lots of unsafe chemicals in it :/ I'm just sick of having itchy armpits all the time!
Comments 
19th-Feb-2011 03:31 am (UTC)
[info]cravereality
I believe that Mitchum is randomly non-animal tested. I am not sure if there are other mainstream antiperspirant brands that are, but that is what I use. All natural deodorants that I've tried have either not worked or made my skin peel.
19th-Feb-2011 04:46 am (UTC)
[info]hardheartache
It's always nice to discover a mainstream brand doesn't animal test! Unfortunately, Mitchum has a lot of the chemicals I'm trying to avoid. I will keep it in mind if my search for natural deodorant falls short, though, so thanks for the info!
19th-Feb-2011 04:55 am (UTC)
[info]hardheartache
That sounds really cool. I would just be afraid of spending all of that money on the essential oils and stuff without knowing how well it would work for me. I will definitely keep it in mind, though. And thanks for linking to that blog; a lot of good information there.
19th-Feb-2011 01:11 pm (UTC)
[info]xgingex
There are other recipes which are more simple and wouldn't be such a waste of money if it didn't work out. I think the main ingredients just need to be coconut oil (which has millions of uses) and bicarb of soda (also loads of uses).
19th-Feb-2011 02:47 pm (UTC)
[info]hardheartache
Cool, I will check out some other recipes and see what's doable for me.
19th-Feb-2011 03:33 pm (UTC)
[info]megamuphen
I love her blog. I was lucky, I guess, I already had essential oils laying around, I just had to by some more coconut oil! Last time I made it I subbed soybean oil for vitamin e oil, because mine was rancid and I noticed that it was mostly soybean oil anyway :p
19th-Feb-2011 03:43 am (UTC)
[info]hoyland54
How well does unscented deodorant work?

I usually use unscented Mitchum (come to think of it, I'm out of deodorant), as do all of my immediate family (though I use the gel and they all do the roll-on). The anti-perspirant properties would be the same as in a scented variety. I guess you don't have the smell for 'backup' if the anti-perspirant bit fails. With Mitchum you get a slightly chemically smell (I don't think you can smell it when it's on) compared to Mysterious Manly Smell or whatever women's deodorant is meant to smell of.
19th-Feb-2011 05:11 am (UTC)
[info]hardheartache
Unfortunately, Mitchum has a lot of chemicals I'd prefer not to use :( But since you're the second person to suggest it, I will bump it to the top of my non-naturals list in case I keep having problems with the natural stuff.

19th-Feb-2011 03:52 am (UTC)
[info]azdesertrose
I use Alvera unscented and have had no problems with it, when other natural deodorants caused rashes.
19th-Feb-2011 05:12 am (UTC)
[info]hardheartache
Cool, I saw some at the grocery store today and was wondering what it was like. I'll give it a try!
20th-Feb-2011 12:22 am (UTC)
[info]radiosilents
I second Alvera – I use the Aloe and Almonds scent and love it. I cannot use anything else!
20th-Feb-2011 02:35 am (UTC)
[info]hardheartache
Alvera is first on my list of what to try next. Thanks for the recommendation!
19th-Feb-2011 04:24 am (UTC)
[info]happytree923
You might want to try a regular solid crystal instead of the roll-on. Roll-on crystal deodorant gave me a rash, but the crystal rock doesn't.
19th-Feb-2011 05:14 am (UTC)
[info]hardheartache
Thanks, I was wondering if using a different form of the crystal deodorant would make a difference. I'd heard really good things about crystal deodorant and was pretty bummed when I had a reaction to the roll-on, but maybe I would have better luck with the solid.
19th-Feb-2011 08:44 pm (UTC)
[info]happytree923
Also, if you shave your underarms frequently, that might be contributing to the reactions because it opens your skin and makes it easier for irritating ingredients to get in. I had many, many bad reactions to all kinds of deodorants before I stopped shaving. If you cut back how frequently you shave, it might help.
20th-Feb-2011 02:32 am (UTC)
[info]hardheartache
I try not to shave too often...I used to everyday, but I've cut back to once or twice a week. I basically shave whenever the stubble starts to bother me, or if I'm wearing a shirt that shows my armpits (which usually doesn't happen).
19th-Feb-2011 04:44 am (UTC)
[info]nullified73
If I bother with deodorant at all, I use a combination of:

http://www.lushusa.com/shop/products/body/deodorants/aromaco
and
http://www.lushusa.com/shop/products/body/deodorants/coconut

I seem to be allergic to most store bought deodorants but I found this works really well for me with no rash/bumps/itchyness and it smells really nice.
19th-Feb-2011 05:33 am (UTC)
[info]hardheartache
Sounds great, except for the propylene glycol :( Gah, sometimes I wish I could go back to the days when I didn't think about all the chemicals I was putting in or on my body. Shopping was certainly a lot easier. Ignorance is bliss!
19th-Feb-2011 09:59 am (UTC)
[info]lizardphunk
I understand not wanting to expose yourself to dangerous chemicals, but propylene glycol is never going to be dangerous unless you eat 200 deodorants a day. :)

Environmentally speaking, if you have trouble finding a product that works, the tiny amount of propylene glycol will be safely metabolized in your body and never reach the environment.
(That is, if you use the deodorant up!)
19th-Feb-2011 02:46 pm (UTC)
[info]hardheartache
Oh, okay. Thanks for the info! I was a bit paranoid after reading a list of common ingredients linked to cancer; propylene glycol was one of them.
19th-Feb-2011 05:42 pm (UTC)
[info]satinworship
I second Aromaco! I've had the same bar for well over a year.
20th-Feb-2011 02:37 am (UTC)
[info]hardheartache
The description does sound quite appealing. I might hold off on that one only because I like to smell stuff before I buy it and the closest store that sells Lush products is probably an hour away.
19th-Feb-2011 08:24 am (UTC)
[info]snatchbeast
Have you tried the Toms of Maine for sensitive skin?

I don't have sensitive skin at all, but the Kiss My face brand made me super itchy and it sucked.

Origins works well but is pricey.
19th-Feb-2011 02:39 pm (UTC)
[info]hardheartache
No, I've only tried the apricot version of Tom's. I'm guessing the sensitive kind is legit then?

Good to know about the Kiss My Face brand, I was wondering what it was like, so now I know to steer clear.
21st-Feb-2011 02:05 am (UTC)
[info]sketchybrunette
I dunno, I've had the same weird problem. I either get rashy/itchy or it doesn't work, and I wouldn't even say I'm a very smelly person. And it's one thing to splurge on more expensive deodorant... but it's another thing when you've tried four brands at five or six dollars a stick and they don't work out! Ugh. Currently have gone back to my chemical and animal tested deodorant.
21st-Feb-2011 04:27 pm (UTC)
[info]misspelled_typo
My favorite deodorant is funk butter, from Oyin Handmade.

http://oyinhandmade.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=7&zenid=qnoi975pl1fblgucinn27kg2u7

Why I Love It:
It's just $5, and the container lasts me almost a full year.
The black cedar fig scent is divine.
It's handmade by an adorable independent business with a personal touch.
Never any animal testing.
Only all-natural ingredients.

Highly recommend it, for shaved and furry armpits alike. Nothing has worked for me as much as funk butter. :)
22nd-Feb-2011 12:12 am (UTC)
[info]notxdeadxyet
Desert Essence works really well and doesn't sting.
Leave a Comment to the Entry
This page was loaded Jun 1st 2012, 11:40 pm GMT.