Community› The Bump Message Boards› Eco-Friendly Family
Eco-Friendly Family
New Discussion

any thoughts? re: deodorant

MamaPajama2010MamaPajama2010 member
in Eco-Friendly Family

I have always had a lot of issues with commercial deodorant due to really sensitive skin. But... I've always just put up with it. Recently I decided to take the plunge an try a homemade deodorant with baking soda, organic arrowroot powder (instead of cornstarch), and organic coconut oil. After reading a lot about it, I decided to use less baking soda and more arrowroot to make it even easier on my skin (since too much baking soda can be slightly harsh). Well, I have tried it about 3 times now, and every single time I get a bad rash on my armpit about 2-3 hours after I apply it. It burns so bad and then takes about 3 days for the redness to go away. I'm so bummed! I can't believe I'm having this issue! It seems like this would be one of the most natural and gentle things to use, so now I'm at a loss. I went back to my commercial stuff, but I just can't stand the thought of using it much longer. Any thoughts on why this is happening? Can I make something that is even more gentle but still works? Is there a brand that is good for extremely sensitive skin? (I'm too nervous to try Tom's because there are a lot of rashes reported).

 Thanks for your input!

Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
Report Reply to Post

Re: any thoughts? re: deodorant

  • Lynnette171Lynnette171
    My skin is super sensitive.  I use something called "Liquid Rock" that I buy at Whole Foods.  It has no dyes or perfumes in it, works really well, and doesn't irritate my skin. 
    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • AnaKat405AnaKat405

    could you be reacting to the coconut oil?

    I have a spritz bottle that I put some distilled water, baking soda, sea salts, magnesium gel and Young Living Oil Purification blend in.  I spritz in on after I get out of the shower and it's been working fine.  Much better than commercial deodorants -- except for maybe CertainDri.

    Report Reply
  • TenenielTeneniel member
    imageAnaKat405:

    could you be reacting to the coconut oil?

    I have a spritz bottle that I put some distilled water, baking soda, sea salts, magnesium gel and Young Living Oil Purification blend in.  I spritz in on after I get out of the shower and it's been working fine.  Much better than commercial deodorants -- except for maybe CertainDri.

    I know CertainDri is probably awful for you, but I'm glad someone else on this board likes it.  I don't use it now, but when I was a teen/young adult, it was the only thing to keep me from having really embarrassing wet pits.  And I only needed it every other day.

    image  image  image

    image

    image


    Report Reply
  • PeonyPumpsPeonyPumps member
    I am still using tom's crystal deodorant right now with no problems
    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
    Report Reply
  • MLKuykendallMLKuykendall
    Do you have an issue with sweating, or is it more trying to kill smell?  (I'm a cell biologist I hope this isn't too techy).  Smell is a simple solution- it is caused by bacteria so kill the bacteria and then you have killed the smell.  I know several people that just use plain rubbing alcohol and a cotton ball.  It certainly works, although I would recommend having a spare bottle in your vehicle since you never know when stress/ heat will cause you to sweat more.  These other two I know work to kill bacteria, although I have never experimented with them personally.  Salt would kill bacteria, and I would think this would be more gentle than alcohol.  A simple solution of salt and water should do the trick.  My only other thought is to change the pH, meaning you would either rub your underarm with a lemon slice or use something like baking soda.  So I hope that way-to-detailed explanation helps out.  I'll start thinking about ways to cure wetness that wouldn't result in anything gross in your armpit. 
    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
    Report Reply
  • MamaPajama2010MamaPajama2010 member
    Thanks for the ideas, ladies. I guess I'm going to start at square one and try out a variety of what you all suggested. I know it isn't a problem with the coconut oil, because I have used that plain on my skin without any problems. I honestly don't know if it is a problem with the baking soda or with the arrowroot, but either way the deodorant doesn't really work well without them. MLKuykenall, thanks for the ideas-- that would be great if something so easy would work. Thanks for the tips!
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    Report Reply
  • MamaPajama2010MamaPajama2010 member
    imageTeneniel:
    imageAnaKat405:

    could you be reacting to the coconut oil?

    I have a spritz bottle that I put some distilled water, baking soda, sea salts, magnesium gel and Young Living Oil Purification blend in.  I spritz in on after I get out of the shower and it's been working fine.  Much better than commercial deodorants -- except for maybe CertainDri.

    I know CertainDri is probably awful for you, but I'm glad someone else on this board likes it.  I don't use it now, but when I was a teen/young adult, it was the only thing to keep me from having really embarrassing wet pits.  And I only needed it every other day.

    Well, I just looked up certain dri on the EWG database, and it actually had it as a 0 score! I'm really surprised because it contains an aluminum. Not sure how that works out, but it seems it does.

    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    Report Reply
  • dieselmonkeydieselmonkey
    I have always been a super sweaty person. I also have (had) eczema in my pits of all places. For the past 3 years I've been using the crystal rock. I am surprised my sweating has drastically decreased. Yes I still have some sweaty days but rarely (and I'm living in a hot area and walk everywhere).

    The key with the rock is to make sure you actually get some of the salt in the pit. Not like traditional deodorants where one swipe and your done. I rub my wet (from the shower) pit for ~15'secs. I've also taken the rock and dissolved it in water on the stove then put in an old roll-on container.

    One travel-sized rock ($1.75) lasted for 2+years.
    My blog
    Report Reply
  • cros8380cros8380 member

    I don't have sweat or smell issues so I just stopped wearing deodorant altogether except for the right before I work out (I put on a little Suave, it's what I have left, and will switch to something more "natural" when it's finished). Other than that, it's au natural and some type of perfume/body oil (DH like's perfume smells).

    I have other friends who keep baking soda in a mason jar in the bathroom, and apply a pinch of it once a day. Some use their fingers, others a blush brush!

    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    image image
    Report Reply
  • 062307Bride062307Bride
    I've been successful using Tom's. I did try to make deoderant out of coconut oil, arrowroot powder, baking soda, and essential oil, but I am not a fan. DH loves to use the homemade, but, when I wore it, I always ended up craving coconut! lol...
    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
    Report Reply
  • middlemarch26middlemarch26 member

    imagedieselmonkey:
    I have always been a super sweaty person. I also have (had) eczema in my pits of all places. For the past 3 years I've been using the crystal rock. I am surprised my sweating has drastically decreased. Yes I still have some sweaty days but rarely (and I'm living in a hot area and walk everywhere).

    DH and I also started using the rock a few years ago, and we swear by it.  I was really skeeved out by it at first, but it only took about two days to convert me.  I use the rock and then dust on a little baby powder.  My skin feels soooo much better.  I think everyone should give it a chance.  :)

    Report Reply
  • tracyl0826tracyl0826 member
    I have sensitive skin and use a blend of essential oils and witch hazel.  It has been working great for me.
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker


    Pregnancy Ticker
    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"