I have a theory about the ugly aluminum antiperspirant we think is so necessary in modern times and my infertility issue. Its a long story on how I might think there is a connection…with too many details for even me to share unblushingly….
To sum up: I’ve stopped using antiperspirant within the last month as my last stick was used up. Instead, I have been powdering up with Johnson & Johnson’s Cornstarch Baby Powder. It covers the late afternoon smell for the most part. I hope. The temps have been over 100 F lately; its hard for anyone to stink pretty!
My latest cycle was….almost normal! I mean, like, normal! Only one day of brownish spotting at the start (which was around three days of iccky spotting before) and NO brownish spotting at the end. None. This is the most normal cycle I’ve had in 6 years.
Could there be a connection?
My follow-up question is for ladies who have shunned the “stick”: What do you use instead? Baby powder, even the cornstarch kind, is not a good long-term alternative. Tom’s of Maine made me break out in a rash. And, FYI, I do shave the pits several times a week.
Veiled Glory 
I don’t shave and I don’t wear deoderant. If you stay clean and determine to get used to what a human smells like, it’s not too bad. A nice clean sweat smell is not stink. Wash your pits twice a day and get used to the aroma. LOL! I can’t call it a stink. By the way, my husband has never noticed that I don’t wear deoderant. And HE would!
This is the recipe that I use and here is Texas where we have a 100 degree plus summer it works great! I sweat, but there is NO stink!
http://susangodfrey.blogspot.com/2008/05/homemade-deodorant-tutorial.html
I make our own deoderant with Susan’s recipe.
Coconut oil
corn starch
5 drops tea tree oil
5 drops lavendar oil
mix together and just dip fingers in and smooth on pit to use. When you change the deoderant you use it actually takes a few days for your body to adjust, so give it some time. I like the tea tree oil fragrance.
There is a nice recipe around using coconut oil and babing soda, it worked for my hubby but made me break out. I have it printed out if you’d like it.) I also broke out with Desert Essence brand deoderant.
I’m now using this: http://www.azurestandard.com/product.php?id=HB133
No break-outs and no b.o. 🙂
Some people swear by the rock one. Try a local health food store for ideas. (take with grain of salt).
BTW, if you are worried about chemicals you may want to think about chemicals in products for that time of the month.
I can point you to a few links, but I would rather not gross any guys out that swing by here. Or you can google it.
Yes, alternatives are kinda weird, but I like mine.
Shutting up now.
Baking soda.
or one of those stones.
and what Karen says about the “alternative”. Do a google on Diva Cup or “The Keeper”. I recommend. Or some nice comfy flannel homemade pads. (triple fold a wash rag to use as an insert into a homemade pocket with wings, and snaps, rinse in sink and toss in wash.
Vinegar! If it’s 90+ out, I’ll re-apply mid-day. I notice more real stink (not just body-ness) when I eat sugar & when I wear synthetic clothes.
Just came across your blog searching for modesty stuff. From looking at your tags, it looks like we have a LOT in common! 🙂
I use the unscented Tom’s (I’m sorry it made you break out) and baking soda. I do not like the smell of my pits, nor do I want to cause others to have to get used to it. This combo keeps me smelling sweet enough that I can’t detect a problem. However, I’d rather stink than ever rub aluminum under my arms again. If I’m faithful using the baking soda (I forget alot) I do get an irritation from it after awhile. I’ve heard that if you mix it with cornstarch that will solve the problem.
If you don’t like the idea of wetting a rock of salt, Thai Crystal Deodorant Mist is what I use. Basically the same thing, but you can spray it on. Also, be careful some rock deodorants have natural occurring aluminum in them, read the label to make sure it says it’s aluminum free.
I like “the keeper” but if you are not there yet look at Natracare products, they are made of organic cotton and chemical free.
There is definitely a connection to chemicals and your body’s systems! I have learned a lot over the past nine years. I just started writing about my journey on a new blog, let me know if you want the address.
Heya, if you are near a Trader Joe’s, they have an aluminium-free stick deodorant that has little cotton fibers in it. I’ve been using it a while and I really like it. I also urge you look into alternative menstrual care products. I got a keeper moon from Gladrags.com.
Adidas makes a cotton fiber deodorant(but with other chemicals in it). It broke me out. I can’t use full strength baking soda, as it burns. I still use regular deodorant, until I use it up (can’t bring my self to waste it, though I don’t like the idea of the aluminum). I have tried the crystal rock kind, and it worked ok, but I still smelled some. thankfully I bought the travel size LOL. I am thinking I need to make a trip to Akin’s sometime to go check out what they have 🙂
My winner for deodorants is “Liquid Rock” from Kiss My Face. The crystal alone chaps my skin after about a month of regular use and most everything else simply never worked for me! Another trick I have found is the odor is greatly reduced when I avoid using soap under my arms. I know it sounds gross but actually I rinse EXTREMELY well and use hair conditioner for shaving. I think it works for the same reason vinegar works for some – pH. Let us know how your search turns out! 🙂
Hi Anna,
I also use Kiss My Face Liquid Rock (Fragrance Free). I find that it works well and there is no need to reapply during the day. I stopped using aluminium-based dedorant several years ago…
By the way I love your blog! God bless.
I use this natural, aloe deoderant that I could get fairly inexpensively at Target, but they don’t sell it anymore. Wiping your pits down with a rubbing alcohol soaked cotton ball can help kill germs that cause odor.
I have heard wonderful things about the natural deodorant on GudonyaToo’s etsy shop. I think their shampoo was featured in a magazine, but don’t quote me on that, I might be thinking of another store. It is a bit expensive, though ( but I bet it’s comparable to Tom’s of Maine, pricewise).
I have found that I tend to smell more depending on what we have eaten, like some of the other ladies have said. If we eat a lot of garlic or onions, it is a pretty sure bet I’m going to smell! This may be a little silly, but I cut those foods out of my diet a week before any of my doctor appointments. LOL! That’s the only time anyone other than my husband is close enough to me to smell me. 🙂 But since we eat a vegan diet at home, it’s HARD to cut those things out.
Good luck finding something that works for you!
There seems to be no alternative to antiperspirants. People confuse antiperspirants with deodorants. Two different things. Thankfully there are all natural deodorants like arm and hammers essentials which smells like orange and works great. But for my wife, I have been trying to find an alternative to antiperspirant which contain harmful metals and chemicals and there seems to be none. If someone came up with an all natural antiperspirant, they could make some good money because it would sell like hot cakes now.
Try making a paste of 1 part glycerin and 2 parts each baking soda and cornstarch or arrowroot powder. Add about 10 drops of clary sage essential oil per 1/2 cup of glycerin used; it retards sweat.
You can either put the homemade antiperspirant on with your fingers or tuck it into an old deodorant stick dispenser, a messy process but worthwhile for ease of application.
The proportions are somewhat approximate as your weather will determine how much powder the glycerin can absorb. If you don’t like that idea, or glycerin is hard to come by in your area, just dust the powder mixture on your pits. Add the oil, if you use it, to the baking powder, stir until no longer lumpy, and blend with the cornstarch or arrowroot.
It works for me, and I sweat quite enthusiastically, thank you. I don’t know if it will hold up to heavy exertion, but 20-block brisk walks in 80 degree weather haven’t been a problem.
Things You’ll Need
• Mixing bowl
• 4 oz. cornstarch
• 2 oz. baking soda
• Double boiler
• 8 oz. beeswax
• 2 oz. 80 proof vodka
• 10 drops sandalwood essential oil
• 10 drops cedarwood essential oil
• 1 oz. liquid chlorophyll
• 2 oz. distilled water
• Lightly oiled molds
o 1
Gather all your supplies and materials before you begin your project so that you will have them handy when you begin the project.
o 2
Put the cornstarch and baking soda into the bowl. Stir them to ensure they are completely combined.
o 3
Place the beeswax into the double boiler, and slowly melt it over very low heat. Once the wax is completely melted, remove the boiler pot from the burner. Stir in the cornstarch and baking soda mixture. Mix thoroughly again. If the mixture cools and becomes too difficult to work with, just place the double boiler back on the burner over low heat to melt the mixture once again and soften it enough for easy handling.
o 4
Stir the vodka, essential oils, liquid chlorophyll and distilled water into the mixture as it begins the cooling process. Work quickly, so that you can pour the mixture into molds before it completely hardens.
o 5
Let the antiperspirant completely cool and harden in the molds. Remove the antiperspirant from the molds once it is fully hardened and store it in an airtight container to safeguard it from drying out. Keep it in a cool place to prevent the final product from shrinking.
o 6
Use your antiperspirant daily or as needed. It will serve you well as both an antiperspirant and a deodorant