For years Fiddledaddy has been emailing me articles that he happens upon about subject matter which is detrimental to my health and well being. Finally I just blocked him.
But because he is technologically proficient, he found a way around this.
Many of the articles that he has sent me have had to do with the dangers of my antiperspirant. Evidently, my Degree has been trying to kill me for years. Antiperspirants contain aluminum, which is a toxin and has been linked to Alzheimer’s, brain disorders, respiratory problems, and possibly cancer.
But still, I fought to keep my beloved Degree. Some years ago, to humor him, I tried some of those hippie crystal doo-da sticks and it was a FAIL. So because I’m somewhat stubborn and may have issues with someone telling what to do, I revolted.
Well this has been an ongoing argument issue in our home, and the girls were beginning to smell my rebellion. As it were. Finally Fiddledaddy told me he would step out of the argument if I could get JUST ONE OF MY DOCTORS to agree that it was okay for me to use a product that contained aluminum.
What luck. I have lots of doctors. Surely one would back me on this.
But I was wrong. They all said to jettison the Degree. Fiddledaddy tried hard not to let loose with his I TOLD YOU SO, but his smirk said it for him. One of my doctors who loves to rely on natural remedies, told me to squirt a shot of Magnesium Spray (his go-to pain reliever, but it also acts as an anti-fungal) under my pits.
But what he didn’t take into account was that Magnesium Spray STINGS LIKE A THOUSAND TINY BEES. Especially if one is apt to, you know, SHAVE. I’ve finally landed on Arm & Hammer Essentials deodorant. It works better than most. But I tell you, ALL THE HOT FLASHES, are giving my new deodorant a run for its money.
Raise your hand high if you’ve given up antiperspirant! And, if so, have you found something that doesn’t make you want to flap your arms like a bird?
{ 23 comments }
I would love to jump on that bandwagon with you! I hate feeling sticky and I don’t even live in Florida. What to do???
I’vebeen using Tom’s Natural deoderant. It works “most” times but on those nice hot, Texas summer days (much like Florida summers) I had to reapply a few times. Hopefully someone has a better solution….
I feel ya…I went through the same process, and landed on the same deoderant. Works pretty well, but not awesomely. But hey, I don’t worry about the aluminum anymore! : ) Hang in there…winter is coming!
I also wasn’t happy with the natural deodorants that I tried. A friend sent me the link to this recipe and told me that she stinks like a farmer and this worked great for her! It started working right away for me. But for my hubby and several friends, they said it took roughly 8-12 weeks to really start working for them. Sometimes I add a bit of olive oil in the winter so that it’s not so hard, and also add a variety of different essential oils for the scents. But I always add at least a few drops of tea tree oil, and then add something like peppermint or tangerine.
http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2010/02/homemade-all-natural-deodorant.html
I tried just about every “natural” deodorant on the market before discovering LUSH cosmetics. They have a bar called aromarant which smells like patchouli (hippy pits), and I use their coconut powder on top to seal it in for extra protection. The combination works well for me, but yep, I still sweat, I just don’t stink.
I have given them up as well, and I make my own. It works GREAT!!
Better than any over the counter deodorant I’ve ever tried. AND IT SAVE MONEY! 
1/4 cup baking soda
1/4 cup corn starch
2 Tablespoons coconut oil
10-15 drops essential oil of your choice (I used Thieves from Young Living)
(note: you can use any essential oil you want, but try to use one that kills bacteria and has an odor you like)
In glass bowl, mix the baking soda, corn starch, and essential oil. Stir well. Smash in the coconut oil. Mix really, really well. Place into glass jar. Smash it in there real good.
Let it sit out overnight.
I got it, and lots of great info here: http://servinguphappiness.com/?p=828&fb_action_ids=4049153359606&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=aggregation&fb_aggregation_id=246965925417366
Why am I reminded of a certain Art teacher in High School who was RIDICULED incessantly (behind his back, of course) because he had given up (the man’s) soap? Too many chemicals, etc….
Well, I guess as long as Fiddledaddy can stand you, the rest of us can too:)
And this is why I continue to blog. You all make me so stinking happy.
I have to admit I haven’t given up my anti-persperants yet. Guess I should look into it.
I use the salt crystal, but it’s necessary to wash it off or it creates a yeast infection – don’t fall into bed exhausted and forget! My mom uses Hibiclens, but if you don’t rinse well, same problem. It does do well to take my husband’s man scent away, though!
There are times I would like to roll-on like the old days, but I learned what Fiddledaddy knew way back in 2000. We don’t use aluminum pans to cook with, either, for the same reason.
My family switched to Tom’s naturals years ago.. we use a few of their products. I love the non-scented deoderant and it works for me. I noticed that after a while of it’s use I didn’t have to use it as often.
The toxins and foods we eat cause us to smell… of course just pure ole sweating does, too!
Dee dee too funny. I ve been trying the same thing. Tom’s was a wash as I discovered my family could smell me coming a mile away. Aluminum or not I ve found I m pretty dependent on not smelling like a pole cat or, in our business, getting used to never letting them see you sweat… So I’ve come to a compromise. When I m around the house I use the toms deodorant many times throughout the day but when it counts I rely on the old aluminum packing antiperspirant. Makes you wonder how they’ve gotten away with being able to make something like that for all these years toxins and all. Always enjoy your take on things.
When I became a consultant with Jordan Essentials I was hesitant to use the aluminum free deodorant because I sweat like crazy and I am obsessed not wanting to stink. I finally gave in and tried it. I did have a detox period but now it works great. I switch between Day at the Spa and Lavender Eucalyptus.
Arm & Hammer DO is on buy one get one at Publix this week……
My Sweetman and your hubs must be related somehow. Sigh…
I used to get rings of yellow under my sleeves. In 7th grade. That should give you a clue to how intensely I can sweat. And the stink, Lawd… So, I do a bit of what Mary Rachel does, above. I use the non-aluminum stuff on most days of the week and save the big guns Aluminum stuff for important events.
I, too, wonder though, why all of the aluminum stuff is still marketable and on the shelves???
I live in sweaty FL too, and have not had a lot of luck finding a natural deodorant. I keep a stick fo the aluminum stuff to use for big occastions (as some others said above), but most of the time, I use straigth alcohol. I got the idea from this blog, and I’ve been surprised how well it works. You do have to reapply occasionally, but I’ve found that is true with all natural deodorants. I just keep a small spray bottle in my purse or you can use alcohol wipes in a pinch. http://www.diynatural.com/natural-homemade-deodorant/
I kicked the commercial stuff when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I started using Crystal roll on immediately. It’s available at Walmart. I thought that surely it would do ‘ok’ in the winter but I would be up the crik, as it were, in the summer. But lo and behold, I have used it for an entire year and I love it. No smell at all. Sweat yes, but no stink. I thought I would use cornstarch under my arms in the summer because of the dampness, but I didn’t need it. I used to think I smelled so bad in the summer, but I think a lot of it was my body chemistry combined with the chemicals. I will say it wasn’t ‘as hot’ this summer for us as usual though. But I still plan on sticking with it. One key to success is scrubbing the pits really well in the shower and then immediately using the Crystal. Putting it on very clean, non smelling skin seems to be key.
I tried Crystal years ago and just gave up thinking it didn’t work for me. But I was much more motivated this go around and I found a way to make it work for me. Good luck! : )
i use a product called “Certain Dry” and you only need to apply it once every three days. Not sure whats in it, to be honest I haven’t checked. But it works great!!!
I gave up the aluminum stuff a few years ago. It started when hubs would use antiperspirant and break out in a rash in the armpit area. That got me to looking into ingredients and that’s when I heard the stuff about aluminum. I now use Herbal Clear, which is good enough for most days. I do use antiperspirant when It Really Matters. Hubs uses the Dove Men Care deodorant all the time.
I am one of those people who has to change deodorant regularly. I know it sounds weird but Milk of Magnesia on my underarms works for me. I buy the generic brand and put it on right after showering and let it dry good. I shower in the morning and it works all day even if I work outside in July here in Florida! One caveat, periodically I use a scrubber mit on my pits because it seems to build up on my skin and stop working otherwise. I have tried the natural stuff mentioned by others and it didn’t work for me.
I read this post yesterday (while keeping my head in the sand and chanting in a sing-song voice, “La la la, I will not give up my antiperspirant, la la la”)… and it just suddenly occurred to me why you titled it “The Pits.” Yes, I am that slow.
Check out Lavilin deodorant. Been using it for years. It’s a cream, little weird to use at first, but takes care of the stinky pits problem. Best part is you don’t have to apply every day. Usually can go 2-3 days in the summer before having to apply again. Honestly. Don’t worry, your kids will be sure to let you know when to reapply.
I stopped using antipersperants 10 yrs ago. I started making my own coconut deodorant about 5 yrs ago and have never turned back. I have a very active, well-performing, glandular system. In other words, I sweat like crazy. Before switching to coconut deodorant, I could only use a commercial deodorants for about 3 days, before it up and quit, which means I had a rotating shelf full. I have never had that problem with coconut deodorant. One thing I will add that may have not been mentioned above, is that you will go through an adjustment period. You’ve been plugging up the water works and they are going to go haywire trying to normalize their function again. I honestly think I sweat less using coconut deodorant than I did with store bought. Aside from the coconut deodorant, I was just reading in a natural beauty book that you can take a stainless steel spoon with you to the shower and rub it under your armpits with water. This seemed a bit unusual and strange to me, but the author claimed it worked great.
Maybe you want to take cutlery with you to the shower next time.
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