okay, talk to me about deodorant

PeonyPumps

So, I have used Tom's deodorant for a while, but recently, as it has gotten colder (and more dry here), I have started getting these REALLY red dry patches under my arms.  It is to the point now where it hurts and the only thing that feels better is putting some vitamin e or other oil on it, which is probably not terribly helpful to help me sweat less!  Putting on my tom's deodorant stings like crazy right now.  What are your recs for deodorant as well as for some lotion-ish to help it feel better?  Would coconut oil do the trick?

cfisher2008

I make my own using 1/4 cup each of baking soda and cornstarch, 15 drops of tea tree oil, and ~2T of coconut oil (until smooth and creamy). I pour it into 2 old deo tubes. Works great- even on my DH who sweats alot and works outside in the TX heat!

JoeysLady

Alvera aloe and almonds.  It was recommended here by another poster and it is fantastic!  You can buy it on amazon. 

daisies916

I use the Thai crystal deoderant stick, and I like it. I does not block the sweat, it blocks the smell. Just FYI.

Google83

cfisher2008:

I make my own using 1/4 cup each of baking soda and cornstarch, 15 drops of tea tree oil, and ~2T of coconut oil (until smooth and creamy). I pour it into 2 old deo tubes. Works great- even on my DH who sweats alot and works outside in the TX heat!

 

I've used almost this same recipe and I love it - I just replaced the tea tree oil with vanilla and cinnamon since that's what I had on hand.  I still sweat, but there's no smell.  

Sinafey

daisies916:

I use the Thai crystal deoderant stick, and I like it. I does not block the sweat, it blocks the smell. Just FYI.

Same here, I love it.  It does sting a little bit if you put it on immediately after shaving though, so it might not be great on irritated skin.  I'd probably load up with moisturizer and try to go without deodorant for a few days if that's an option. 

kdello

cfisher2008:

I make my own using 1/4 cup each of baking soda and cornstarch, 15 drops of tea tree oil, and ~2T of coconut oil (until smooth and creamy). I pour it into 2 old deo tubes. Works great- even on my DH who sweats a lot and works outside in the TX heat!

I do this, but with grapefruit and lavender oil instead of tea tree.

Twirple

cfisher2008:

I make my own using 1/4 cup each of baking soda and cornstarch, 15 drops of tea tree oil, and ~2T of coconut oil (until smooth and creamy). I pour it into 2 old deo tubes. Works great- even on my DH who sweats alot and works outside in the TX heat!

I use this as well, but skip the EO completely and just use coconut oil, baking soda and corn starch.  It works great!

DreadLoc

First, email Tom's and let them know.  That reaction is pretty common and they will either offer to replace it with a fragrance free version or they will give you a refund, even if you don't have the receipt.  TMI alert!  My reaction went from a red rash to extremely painful skin peeling and lasted for nearly a month.   All I could put on my pits was baking soda and had to stop wearing wired bras and could only wear loose shirts until I fully healed.  I hope your reaction doesn't turn out as bad but keep an eye on it.

Right now I use Crystal deodorant, but it's starting to lose its effectiveness and I'll be making the homemade stuff pretty soon. 

PeonyPumps

MrsLacy:

First, email Tom's and let them know.  That reaction is pretty common and they will either offer to replace it with a fragrance free version or they will give you a refund, even if you don't have the receipt.  TMI alert!  My reaction went from a red rash to extremely painful skin peeling and lasted for nearly a month.   All I could put on my pits was baking soda and had to stop wearing wired bras and could only wear loose shirts until I fully healed.  I hope your reaction doesn't turn out as bad but keep an eye on it.

Right now I use Crystal deodorant, but it's starting to lose its effectiveness and I'll be making the homemade stuff pretty soon. 

Ouch!  Thanks for letting me know about emailing them!  I have been putting vitamin E oil on them pretty religiously and that seems to be helping a lot.  The scales are going down quite a bit and they are much less red than they were previously.  I just wonder how that is possible that Tom's deodorant caused that problem when I used cruddy secret deodorant for years, the kind in the sparkly bottles that burns when you put it on, that stuff never gave me anything like this!