Recommendations for deodorant without aluminum?

[JillyBean]

I know there are several threads about deodorant already, but I'm looking for all natural/non-aluminum suggestions. I've always used Secret without problem, but lately I've developed a heat rash under my arms. I switched deodorants (with aluminum) twice with no luck. I also tried Adidas' Cotton Tech, and it cleared the rash, but didn't provide much odor protection. I couldn't get past the smell of Tom's. I browsed the other threads and found recommendations for Burt's Bees and Lush. Any other suggestions?

[laura]

Maybe something from Whole Foods or Aveda (if they make deodorant?)? I use Dove, but I have no idea if it has aluminum in it or not - sorry!

[JillyBean]

Sadly, Dove was one of the brands I tried. Their line (or at least the ones I saw at the store) all contained aluminum. Thanks, though!

I'm making a trip to Whole Foods this week, so hopefully I'll find something there.

[Weddings by]

I use Crystal deodorant. It's salt, which makes me think that I could make my own. :p

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0000AQJ9R.01._PE39_SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg

I've heard of people rubbing lime on their underarms.

[laura]

I've heard of people rubbing lime on their underarms.

The place where I get pedicures, they do a peppermint scrub on your legs, and recently they started rubbing lemons on your legs afterwards (? - still can't figure out why), but it hurts! I would imagine a lime wouldn't feel great on the underarms, but I guess I can't knock it since I haven't tried it.

[LeighW]

I use Alba. I buy it at Whole Foods. They have a wide variety of natural, non-aluminum choices.

It doesn't work *quite* as well as the mainstream brands, but good enough for me.

HTH.

[IrishMeg]

The rash you're talking about isn't heat rash. It is an allergic reaction and it sucks!! I've had the same sort of reaction to deodorant since I was about 14 years old. I haven't been able to use regular deodorant since then.

The only thing I've ever been able to use is Almay deodorant. I've tried them all and gotten a rash from every single one. Secret and Dove are the worst for me. The rash and itching development in minutes. It is horrible and I feel your pain. I noticed the more I tried to use them the worse it got.

http://a1468.g.akamai.net/f/1468/580/1d/pics.drugstore.com/prodimg/23969/200.jpg

I find it at WalMart most often. I usually pay about 2.50 for it. HTH!!

[IrishMeg]

Oh, and to answer your question (duh :rolleyes: ) There is no aluminum in this product. Here are the ingredients.

Water, diroplene, glycol, cylcopentasiloxane, dimethicone, glycerin, fragrance, peg-12 dimethicone crosspolymer, peg/ppg 18/18 dimethicone, peg/ppg 19/19 dimethicone

[Quartercentury]

I use Tom's of Maine, which is a deodorant, not an antiperspirant (so you still sweat), and aluminum free. Smells good (I have honeysuckle rose at the moment, but it comes in other varieties and non-scented, too) and keeps me smelling good.

There was a not-so-good phase when first made the switch (from antiperspirant to the Tom's), where I was sweating a lot and didn't think I smelled very good. But that lasted less than a week, and now I think my body is used to the non-antiperspirized armpits, and I only really sweat if I'm very nervous or working out.

[JillyBean]

Wow, thanks for the suggestions! :D

IrishMeg, I just assumed it was a heat rash since that's what my OB/GYN called it when she saw it. It's just like what you described, though, so it probably is an allergic reaction. Just seems weird that I suddenly became allergic to it, though :confused: I'll have to give Almay a try. Thanks!

[IrishMeg]

Just seems weird that I suddenly became allergic to it, though

The same thing happened to me! I'd been using the same deodorant for about 5 years with no problem. Secretly, I've always hoped that this would be just a temporary thing and eventually I'd be "normal" again. 13 years later, I'm still just as allergic. Every now and then I try a different deordorant just to see and I always get that damn rash! :o

[meganth]

Is the Almay a deodorant/antiperspirant or just a deodorant? I tried switching to an aluminum free deo after reading a bunch of reports linking cancer to deo containing aluminum but i couldn't find one that worked as well. Sweating/smell is a major peeve of mine, so i couldn't handle just a deodorant or just an antiperspirant.

[looch]

I believe that ADIDAS makes an antipersperant with cotton fibers or something like that. it's available in drug stores.

[Weddings by]

I would imagine a lime wouldn't feel great on the underarms, but I guess I can't knock it since I haven't tried it.

I've wondered if it would hurt...never have tried it, though.

[Meredith]

I recently switched to Nature's Gate Organics. I bought the 'tea tree & blue cypress' brand at Whole Foods and it smells nice. It's aluminum free, as well as propylene glycol-free.

It works really well but took my body two weeks to adjust to the difference. It's scary to think about what I have been doing to my body...my body was absorbing all that 'bad stuff' and then I was shaving and exposing even more cut, open skin. I am glad to have made the 'all natural' switch!! Yikes...I know something is always going to kill you, but it's still scary to think about how long I used the 'regular' stuff.

[IrishMeg]

Is the Almay a deodorant/antiperspirant or just a deodorant? I tried switching to an aluminum free deo after reading a bunch of reports linking cancer to deo containing aluminum but i couldn't find one that worked as well. Sweating/smell is a major peeve of mine, so i couldn't handle just a deodorant or just an antiperspirant.

Almay is an antiperspirant and deodorant.

[Calla Lilly]

Just as a fyi...I was going to buy the Almay deodorant, but according to Drugstore.com there is aluminum in it. The other ingredients listed were the inactive ones....

Active Ingredients: per layer: Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex 17% Gly

[QueenDillyDally]

Originally posted by looch:
I believe that ADIDAS makes an antipersperant with cotton fibers or something like that. it's available in drug stores

The name of it is "Adidas, 24hr Control, Absorbent-Deo, Wetness Control for Women".

http://a1061.g.akamai.net/7/1061/5412/home/www.walgreens.com/dbimagecache/221662.jpg

I just started using it two weeks ago because I am sick & tired of my white shirts getting yellow stains in the armpit area. So far, I am not sure if it works for that because I haven't worn any new white shirts recently.

But, there is no aluminum in the ingredient list. There is fragrance in it though - so you may be allergic to that.

So far, it keeps me dry in the "pits" and I don't stink for a whole day. For that, I like it a lot!

[jenji]

Aluminum concerns me too because of the link with Alzheimer's and DH and I both have Alz. in our families. As much as I love my Dove, I decided to change.
I've heard excellent things about the Crystal rock and the roll-on. After reading up on the natural alternatives to deodorant, I decided to try alcohol, just because it's what I have on hand (I've been using VS body spray - Vanilla Lace, since alcohol is the main ingredient) and I haven't gotten stinky once since! Even after working out! The idea is you kill the bacteria, which are what make you stink. That's why the Crystal brand works: the salt kills the bacteria. It may all be in my head, but I've also not been sweating as much with the alcohol. I sweat a ton, even with my beloved Dove, but now, not as much.
If for some reason the alcohol stops working I will probably try the Crystal roll on, but I've also heard that Oyin's Funk Butter is awesome, just a little more pricey.

ETA: I spray on the alcohol right after a shower and if I've shaved, it stings for about 1-2 seconds, but then is totally fine. Another plus - no white deo marks on my black shirts!

[GroceryStoreWine]

It may all be in my head, but I've also not been sweating as much with the alcohol. I sweat a ton, even with my beloved Dove, but now, not as much.

I went to an herbalist and she did the "look into my eye" thing to determine my allergy problems. According to her I was allergic aluminum. Which totally made sense. I would load on the anti/deo and I would still sweat and smell funky. I even had a prescription for a high aluminum deodorant which I used on a regular basis.

I made the switch to anti/deo to the Crystal Rock. I was really nervous. I mean if I sweat that much with the anti and smelled funky with the deo then how was the Crystal stuff going to hold out, especially in the summer.

I was happy and shocked to find I didn't sweat as much and I didn't smell at all. After using it for a year I started to break out badly so I had to switch to Tom's. Now I have a collection of stuff I rotate using. I think I'll add that Adidas one into the mix.

I exercise every day and am very active. The only time I notice an odor on myself is when I've been eating a lot of meat or junk food. When I get back to my fruits and veggies I improve.

[FallingforPhil]

I recently switched from my aluminum-laden rotation to herbal clear (http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/496609/toms_of_maine_natural_deodorant_vs.html?cat=46), which I picked up at Meijer. It's significantly less expensive than Tom's, and I've been pleasantly surprised. The link is a review comparing Tom's and Herbal Clear. The author likes Tom's better, but I posted the article because she does a good job explaining the chemicals in each one in layman's terms.

[heather1029]

I use the Thai Crystal, but I'm slowly finding that I don't love it. I smell good until I start to sweat, and then I think the minerals/salts come off with the moisture. I've tried Tom's but got a rash (which I think was due to wheat/barley in it). Still on the lookout for the perfect aluminum-free, fragrance-free deodorant that stays on!

[moderngal]

I use Herbal Clear, too. It works way better than Tom's IMO.

[lady1297]

My deodorant is from Melaleuca, their Body Satin deodorant. I love it. I hated TOM's and the others I tried (threw them away after a week). If anyone wants the info on Melaleuca, let me know and I'll look it up.