Over the past two and half years that I've been producing "Whole Living", I've come a long way in detoxifying my daily routines, switching to natural cleaning products, cosmetics, and skin care products. Yet I kept my trusty stick of industrial-strength deodorant. After trying a crystal in high school and ending up a big soggy mess, I was convinced that I needed a bunch of metals and chemicals to keep my pits in check. After all, who wants to risk discomfort, stink, and stains?
For you, reader, I did risk them, testing many, many deodorants throughout the unusually hot summer of 2010 to see which ones would be able to keep B.O. at bay the natural way. I am happy to present twelve that represent a wide range of prices, scents, and styles from Lavanila, Dr. Hauschka, Dermalogica, Kiss My Face, Weleda, Bubble and Bee, Terressentials, Miessence, erbaviva, Avalon Organics, Aubrey Organics, and Lafe's.
1 Lavanila was my favorite of the bunch: the solid stick went on smoothly, dryness lasted all day, and I liked the light vanilla scent. ($18)
2 Kiss My Face is definitely the best value: The roll-on in particular dried fast and beat a 98 degree day. My husband liked it, too. ($5.99)
3 Dermalogica's clear stick wins big points for overall effectiveness, never getting on my clothes, and having no added scent. ($20)
4 Dr. Hauschka has a well-earned a reputation for keeping fresh all day, just be sure to let the liquid formula dry before getting dressed. ($22.95)
5 This light essential oil spray from Avalon Organics was effective, but it did need a reapplication by 5 pm. ($8.95)
6 Miessence's roll-on worked all day, and it comes unscented for those of us who like to keep it simple. ($8.14)
7 erbaviva's spray worked all day without reapplying, but note that it only combats odor and not wetness. ($18)
8 Terressentials makes a lavender-scented roll-on that worked well with just one reapplication mid-day. ($10)
9 Weleda was the best of the spray genre, with a bright citrus smell that helped make it effective all day. ($12)
10 This roll-on Aubrey Organics worked well, but know that the retro/health food store packaging indicates a decidedly hippie scent of sandalwood and patchouli. ($7.50)
11 Bubble and Bee's Pit Putty is just that, a sticky stick that feels a little weird when applied, but sets into a cover that'll keep your pits dry all day. ($9.85)
12 Lafe's powder roll-on was both effective and affordable.($7.99)
If you're thinking of making the switch, you can look up detailed information about the chemicals in any deodorant in the Environmental Working Group's database. Or keep it really simple: Our listener Sarah in Texas called in to the show today to share this DIY deodorant recipe that requires just three ingredients. If it works in hot, humid Texas, I bet it'd work anywhere!
More natural product reviews:
Detox Your Shampoo - We Give You the Score on 15 Brands
Detox Your Dental Care with Our Natural Toothpaste Roundup
From: Terri Trespicio | 9/21/10 at 3:54 pm
Thanks for posting this, Jen!
We test-drove a few other deodorants recently at Whole Living. Read on to find out more: http://www.wholeliving.com/article/underarm-overachievers
I've always used a few different ones--the crystal being one of them! I find it works pretty well--solid form and roll-on. I haven't tried Hauschka, but am very tempted!
The Lavanila is perhaps the most like an existing, traditional deodorant in the way it goes on and smells. Love it.
From: Sarah from Sugar Bananas! | 9/21/10 at 4:57 pm
Thank you for posting the link to the recipe. I was a little apprehensive about trying the homemade deodorant. However, it ended up working even better than my regular brand. It smells great and a small jar will last about 6 months.
From: Detox Your Shampoo – We Give You the Score on 15 Brands - Martha Stewart Living Radio: The Radio Blog | 12/15/10 at 10:34 am
[...] we tackled deodorants, then toothpastes, and now Terri and I have submitted our follicles to endless rounds of essential [...]
From: Becky | 1/19/11 at 1:07 pm
Thank you for sharing this info. I have been wanting to detox my deodorant for a while now, and this list helped! I found Lafes works the best for me - it has a nice lavendar scent and a reasonable price of $5.99. Tom's Natural and Kiss My Face didn't work so well for me. But it seems very individual. They key is to try them. Here's a tip: buy your deodorant at Whole Foods. They allow you to return and item you don't like. This will allow you to test them out. I returned the ones that didn't work, no questions asked.
From: Detox Your Makeup Bag – We Pick Seven Non-Toxic Liquid Foundations and Tinted Moisturizers - Martha Stewart Living Radio: The Radio Blog | 5/10/11 at 10:01 am
[...] detoxing our deodorant, toothpaste, shampoo, and mascara, Terri and I decided it was time to get right up in each other's [...]
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[...] Your Shampoo - We Give You the Score on 15 Brands Detox Your Deodorant - A Review of Natural Brands and a DIY Recipe 34 [...]