Sweat Happens...Fight It Naturally

Not that I'm usually a sweathog or anything, but sometimes, no matter who you are, sweat happens...and when it does, you just have to hope and pray that those evil little sweaty bacteria guys don't cause a stink.
I guess I chose poorly when I decided to try the Weleda Sage Deodorant (the other choices are Citrus or Wild Rose) because the sage is a tad on the masculine side for me. The other problem is, the scent dissipates quickly...I go from highly scented to no scent at all in about a half hour....If I wanted no scent, I would have chosen unscented deodorant.
On the other hand, I have yet to stink. This aluminum and phalate free deodorant really keeps the bacteria at bay. Per the package "Natural essential oils of Sage, Lavender, Rosemary, and Thyme, along with the extract of Licorice Root, prevent and neutralize unpleasant body odors caused by bacterial action", and trust me, it works for a full 24 hours if not longer.
I also like that this pump spray is packaged in a recyclable glass bottle, (remember it takes petroleum to make plastic), so I have to give kudos to that.
I do notice a few seconds of sting if applied right after I shave, but really after a few seconds, it's gone. All in all, I like this product and am going to have to give it 3 out of 4 stars for performance and 4 out of 4 stars for value.
*Weleda is a Campaign for Safe Cosmetics signer— of which EWG is a founding member — is a coalition of public health, educational, religious, labor, womens, environmental, and consumer groups working on the ground in communities, in the halls of lawmakers, and directly with cosmetic manufacturers to encourage reformulations and safer ingredients. Over 500 companies have voluntarily signed a pledge called the campaign's "Compact for Safe Cosmetics," a pledge to formulate products that do not use ingredients that are known or suspected to cause certain health harms within three years of signing.
*This product either scores a 1 or a 2 on the EWG scale. Per the EWG site the WELEDA DEODORANT-SAGE SPRAY scores a 2 and the WELEDA SAGE DEODORANT scores a 1...I have no idea what the difference is between the two, maybe one is an older formula?
*The Weleda website is: http://www.weleda.com/index.php?id=85&L=1
*I paid $10.99 for a 3.4 oz pump spray bottle at Whole Foods, however, this is a huge bottle and should last me several months.

Frash as a Lavender Leaf

It's summer in Michigan and that means every day is between 80 and 90 degrees. I have to admit when it's hot out I may break a sweat, but I haven't had to worry about stinking like a sweaty sock as long as I've been using Healing Scents Natural Aluminum Free Toxin Free Deodorant. This products comes in a roll on, stick and spray. I ordered the spray which goes on wet so you have to give it a minute to dry, but it smells fabulous. It's made with "bergamot, geranium, lavender, lemon, tea tree, spruce, sage essential oils and neem seed oil to control odor and wetness". I really notice the lavender smell above the rest, the scent only lasts about an hour but once the scent disappears, I still have no problem, because I know I am going to be odor free all day. I feel FRESH!!
As you may have guessed, I give this product 4 out of 4 stars for performance and value.
*Healing Scents is a Campaign for Safe Cosmetics signer— of which EWG is a founding member — is a coalition of public health, educational, religious, labor, womens, environmental, and consumer groups working on the ground in communities, in the halls of lawmakers, and directly with cosmetic manufacturers to encourage reformulations and safer ingredients. Over 500 companies have voluntarily signed a pledge called the campaign's "Compact for Safe Cosmetics," a pledge to formulate products that do not use ingredients that are known or suspected to cause certain health harms within three years of signing.
*This product scores a 2 in the EWG database.
*The Healing Scents website is: http://www.healing-scents.com/.
*I paid $8.50 for a 4 oz. spray bottle.

Crystal Clean

Last night was the ultimate test for deodorant. I belong to a monthly wine club which is sponsored by a local restaurant in the downtown area. We meet at this restaurant at 6:30pm, then you walk to whatever local business is hosting the event that evening. Last night it was at a tiny jewelery store where they squeezed about 50 people into 500 sq. feet and trust me, we were sweating our tushies off! So after about 45 minutes of continuous sweating at this jewelery store, we then went to dinner in a crowded, sweltering restaurant, and I didn't get home until 10:30 last night. As I said, that was the ultimate test, and I was really happy with the results of the Crystal Body Deodorant Roll On I had applied at 7am yesterday morning. I really love this product, first of all, it's carried at my local Walgreen's, CVS, etc, so it's easy to find. I also love the price, $3.99 for 2.25 oz. I also appreciate that it's "non- sticky, non-staining, leaves no white residue". It's safe for the environment, hypoallergenic and paraben, aluminum & chlorohydrate free, and although it has absolutely no scent, it fights odor like nobody's business thanks to the fact that it's "made of natural mineral salts which eliminate odor by leaving an invisible protective barrier against odor causing bacteria". I've been using this for a few weeks and everyday I am happy I discovered such a great, odor free product.
This product also comes in a stick which is sort of like a rock, and a spray as well.
*Crystal is a Compact for Safe Cosmetics signer- which means "The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics — of which EWG is a founding member — is a coalition of public health, educational, religious, labor, womens, environmental, and consumer groups working on the ground in communities, in the halls of lawmakers, and directly with cosmetic manufacturers to encourage reformulations and safer ingredients. Over 500 companies have voluntarily signed a pledge called the campaign's "Compact for Safe Cosmetics," a pledge to formulate products that do not use ingredients that are known or suspected to cause certain health harms within three years of signing.
*Check out the Crystal website it's pretty informative: http://www.thecrystal.com/onlinestore.cfm.
*All of the Crystal Deodorants (roll on, stick, spray) are made with the same ingredients and all are a 0 on the EWG scale.
*I paid $3.99 for a 2.25 oz roll on bottle at my local Walgreen's.

Delicious Spearmint...In A Deodorant?

In the past week, I perspireded through yoga, house cleaning and running around the sweltering mall with my heavy winter coat on...I may have looked all gross and sweaty, but I didn't worry about offending anyone with the smell of sweat, thanks to Samantharoma Deodorant Mist-Tea Tree & Spearmint. This product comes in 2 oz and 4 oz bottles, and per the directions, you need 2-6 sprays under your arms (it may be applied to the feet as well). I happen to love the long lasting scent of this product. When I first apply it, I can really smell the delicious combination of the antibacterial Tea Tree Oil and Spearmint Oil, but once I start to perspire, the Spearmint scent really comes through (way better than B.O., huh?). On days when you're in a hurry, I would recommend using this deodorant a few minutes prior to getting dressed (I use it as soon as I get out of the shower, before I do my hair and make up), because it goes on wet and takes a few minutes to dry. Although I think $10.95 is a bit pricey for 2 oz of deodorant, I happen to think this is my favorite deodorant so far, I mean, can you think of anything better than smelling like relaxing spearmint while trying to relax to yoga?
*Samantharoma is a Compact for Safe Cosmetics signer, which means "The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics — of which EWG is a founding member — is a coalition of public health, educational, religious, labor, womens, environmental, and consumer groups working on the ground in communities, in the halls of lawmakers, and directly with cosmetic manufacturers to encourage reformulations and safer ingredients. Over 500 companies have voluntarily signed a pledge called the campaign's "Compact for Safe Cosmetics," a pledge to formulate products that do not use ingredients that are known or suspected to cause certain health harms within three years of signing.
*The Tea Tree Spearmint Deodorant was not in the Skin Deep/ EWG scale, however when I added it myself, it scored a 0. *This information has not been verified by the EWG.
*The Unscented Formula is in the EWG/ Skin Deep scale and scores a 0.
*All 33 Samantharoma products which are in the EWG database, score either a 0 or a 1.
*The Samantharoma website is: http://samantharoma.com/home.htm.
*This product is $10.95 for 2 oz.

Tea Tree=Odor Free

When I saw JASON Tea Tree Deodorant Stick on the shelf at my local grocery store, I knew I had to try it. When I think of Tea Tree, the first thing that comes to my mind is the antibacterial properties associated with it...and what body part has more than it's share of bacteria- the underarms, of course! Odor is caused by bacteria and Tea Tree kills those nasty organisms, what more could I ask for in a deodorant?
I also like that the Tea Tree in JASON Tea Tree Deodorant Stick is Certified Organic and this product is formulated without Alcohol or Aluminum Chlorohydrate.
So, now that I like how this product is made, how about the performance, you ask? The scent is really good, it's not feminine, not manly, just fresh & clean. I don't smell the Tea Tree scent at all, which is not a bad thing, just not quite what I expected.
I like that it goes on dry and keeps me odor free all day. I would have to say the Tea Tree does a great job inhibiting bacterial growth and keeping me fresh and clean....my underarms even smell good when I wake up the next morning. This product doesn't usually sting when I first apply it, however, after a fresh shave, it stings just a touch, so ladies, beware after shaving, it's not too bad, just a little sting. Guys, assuming you don't shave under your arms, you should love it, too.
*JASON Natural is a Campaign For Safe Cosmetics signer— of which EWG is a founding member — is a coalition of public health, educational, religious, labor, womens, environmental, and consumer groups working on the ground in communities, in the halls of lawmakers, and directly with cosmetic manufacturers to encourage reformulations and safer ingredients. Over 500 companies have voluntarily signed a pledge called the campaign's "Compact for Safe Cosmetics," a pledge to formulate products that do not use ingredients that are known or suspected to cause certain health harms within three years of signing.
*The JASON Natural Tea Tree Deodorant Stick scored a 4 on the EWG/ Skin Deep scale.
*The JASON Natural website is: http://www.jason-natural.com/
*I paid $4.69 at my local Kroger for this product.

Fresh as a Flower

I stopped using anti-perspirant a few years ago because I kept reading over and over again how the aluminum in antiperspirants can be absorbed through the skin and how it could potentially be linked to cancer, Alzheimer's and several other diseases. I know the key word here is potentially, which may or may not mean anything, but I have made my own personal decision that the concern is real enough for me and I no longer use anti-perspirant on a regular basis. At this point, I only use it for special occasions when it is imperative that I don't sweat, an example being: if I'm standing up in a wedding or I have a business meeting in the middle of a 90 degree day.
I've used many deodorants in the past few years, some of which are good, some not so good. One of the deodorants I do like is Tom's of Maine Natural Deodorant Stick, Unscented. According to the label, this deodorant "contains Lichen and Corriander for effectively fighting odor and aloe vera to soothe the skin." Well, I am here to tell you the lichen and coriander really work, I have never noticed BO or any unpleasant odor coming from under my arms nor have I noticed a stench around my husband when he has used it, even when we're warm or sweaty, we still smell good and the odor protection lasts all day. My proof that the aloe really is soothing...it doesn't sting under my arms, even right after shaving. I also like the fact that it goes on dry (not all of the Tom's of Maine deodorants do). Although the front label claims it's unscented, the back label mentions a "pleasant, mild scent to mask odor" and luckily, I happen to like the scent, it really is mild and pleasant, I can really smell the botanicals.
*Tom's of Maine is not a Compact for Safe Cosmetics signer.
*Tom's of Maine Natural Deodorant Stick, Unscented, is a 2 on the Skin Deep/ EWG scale.
*Their website is: http://www.tomsofmaine.com/
*I purchased this 2.25 oz. deodorant stick at Trader Joe's for $3.49, so I have to say, the price is mild and pleasant too.