A few years ago, my mom gave me crystal deodorant as a gift. I was skeptical as I am typically wary of the “green” things she gives me, as she has a tendency to fall for green washing. I had been using traditional deodorant & antiperspirant since puberty, and I really wanted to get away from it because of the rumors I had seen on the internet linking the aluminum compounds in antiperspirant to Alzheimer and the parabens to breast cancer. See below for scientific research that debunks these rumors.
Regular deodorants and antiperspirants work by blocking the sweat glands. The salt based crystal deodorants work by providing an environment where the bacteria that make body odor cannot survive. I have sensitive skin and I think it is gentler to put salt on it than something that blocks up the pores. However, I’m a big guy that generates a lot of heat (ask Alicia) and I sweat a lot to keep my body cool. Would the crystal deodorant work for me? What about the sweat stains under my arms? In order to answer these questions, I gave it a try for a couple weeks. I was surprised how well it worked for me.
Every morning after my shower, I wet the crystal and rub it under my arms and then go about my business. Believe it or not, no smell! There was an added, unadvertised bonus too, while occasionally I end up with wet areas under my arms, and it shows on some of my shirts, I have actually found that my shirts are no longer ruined by the hardened yellow arm pit area that results from the build up of traditional antiperspirants after repeated wearing.
After almost 2 years of use – still lots left
After the two week trial, I continued the experiment for a month. I had kept my deodorant/antiperspirant as a backup, but eventually tossed that. The crystal deodorant has worked so well that I’ve been using it for 3 years and no one noticed. I will admit, on the rare occasion that I forget to put it on, I can usually tell by the pungent aroma of BO by about noon, so I know it is working when I do use it.
Alicia’s experience with it has been less successful as she does not shower every day and sometimes the crystal deodorant can build up some unpleasant odors if not applied to clean underarms. We read that rinsing the crystal with vinegar and washing under your arms before applying resolves this for most people. So far, it has worked well for us. Alicia has been more careful about rinsing the crystal after applying it as well as before in order to avoid a smell build up on the crystal.
Another benefit of the crystal deodorant is that it lasts for ever a long time. I’m only on my second stick (after dropping the first one) in 3 years. I used to have to buy new antiperspirant every month or two.
So, if you are interested in ditching traditional deodorant/antiperspirants but don’t want to stink, try the Crystal Deodorant. You can buy a small travel size to try out for a couple weeks or months.
Here are the two articles you should read that thoroughly debunk the rumors about deodorants and antiperspirants causing Alzheimers and Breast Cancer:
Happy Greening!
Jon
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