High WASPs aren’t supposed to talk about deodorant. We probably aren’t even supposed to have armpits, but hey, too late.
In my continued search for products less likely to harm me or the planet, I stumbled upon the Jäsōn Soothing Aloe Vera Pure Natural Deodorant Stick. To my enormous surprise, it works. I’ve tried others of similar ilk, i.e., Tom’s of Maine, and those crystals, and, although it was fun to wave rocks around the bathroom, no go. I like this so much I’m even willing to undergo the pain of unnecessary umlauting in order to report back.
I checked the EcoSafe database and we’re very low on the danger scale here, although not altogether at zero. Apparently it can cause irritation; I have experienced none. And if the idea of ordering from Walgreen’s over the Internet feels like a wanton use of fossil fuel, it’s stocked at Whole Foods. I’ve got your back. Yes, High WASPs are allowed to have backs, and to talk about them, as long as we don’t slouch.
Onward, with good posture, and aloe vera in all the right places.
24 Responses
I’ve had so-so luck with “natural” deodorants, so will have to give this one a try.
I appreciate knowing this. …love Whole Foods!
Great post, Lisa.
I am a big fan of non-toxic (to me or the environment) deodorant. My go-to favorites are Herbal Magic Roll-On Deodorant in Unscented (yes, this is how well it works for me, and I am an overachiever in the “glowing” department), and Schmidt’s Deodorant paste (which comes in a jar w/small spatula) in Bergamot-Lime.
As far as ingredients, the former (available at Whole Foods & Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, among others) has only one ingredient that gets a “yellow light” (rated 4 out of 10 in EWG database): Phenoxyethanol. As for the latter (available at Pharmaca), ingredients are simple: shea and cocoa-seed butters, baking soda, arrowroot powder, hop extract, and essential oils.
The icing on the cake with natural deodorants is no more yellowing armpits on my white shirts and no imbedded and recalcitrant residual odors (something about the chemicals commonly used in commercial deodorants causes both).
@Artsy in Boulder (Debbie), Thanks for the recommendations!
Oh, thank you! I, too, have tried various “natural” deodorants/antiperspirants with little success. I’m going to see if our local natural foods store carries this; if not, then online it will be – if Amazon carries it, I’ll order a bunch of other stuff, too, to assuage my fossil fuel guilt.
Good for you to seek out less toxic products and for sharing them with your readers.
I am in the habit of waving those rocks around the bathroom and have used the crystal ones for many years as the stronger deoderants irritated my sensitive skin right from the start.
I think Sturdy Gals can talk about these things…isn’t that what makes them sturdy?
@hostessofthehumblebungalow, You might be right, our need to talk about all these things is a big piece.
I’m happy with the salt crystals. I sweat, not much, and I don’t smell. Living in England, wrapped up in layers of cotton, silk, and, usually, wool, this isn’t a problem. On days when it’s hot and I want to avoid sweat patches (wearing shirts or dresses in dark fabrics) I borrow my husband’s industrial roll-on. I have looked for friendly alternatives, but the good ones don’t seem to make it these shores.
I will look out for this Jäsōn stick next time I’m in Whole Foods. There’s one near my office, and I pass it on the way to the independent greengrocer I have christened “the kale shop” and visit almost daily.
Have used this for years in steamy southeast Louisiana. Great. Think New Orleans in August 100 degrees and 90% humidity.
@Nikki Lehnhardt, Great data point!
I have never seen this stuff around my hood! I have tried Tom’s, as well, and wanted to love it. Not so much. Sometimes on the weekends I walk around stinkin just to take a break from clogging up my under arms. I like it when I stink, but during the week I have mercy on my co-workers and bath and use deoderant. I will definitely try this, but please tell me it doesn’t cost two pits and a leg!
PS. I just found your blog! I’m liking it!
You are so funny! Who knew armpits and deoderant could be so hilarious!
I will definitely look for Jason’s Aloe Vera on my next trip to Whole Foods. Thank you for the healthy tip! (Remember when we used to say someone had B.O.?)
@Candace, BO. Ha!
I’m not sure that this will work for me (no high-WASP, here!), but I’ve wanted to give “natural” a go.
This reminds me of what a fine Kentucky lady once told me when I complained about the hot, sticky temps: “Horses sweat. Ladies ‘feel the heat.'”
Is ‘umlauting’ a word? Just sayin… :)
@Eleanorjane, Has that ever stopped me?
I could have used this information on Memorial Day. Went to a small party, and after spending some time chatting on the deck, the new natural deoderant I’d been trying went into failure mode.
Needless to say, it made me very uncomfortable. Yet the ones that work, also make my underarms itch like mad.
I’ve never been able to find a natural deoderant that could stand up to warmer weather.
The next day, I found some Mitchum Unscented and tried it, and so far my underarms don’t itch even though it’s a convention product. Maybe it’s the perfumes that are the problem for me.
“conventional” product
I’m so glad you wrote about this! I quit using the bad stuff about a year ago, and since then it’s been one try out after another, looking for something that works through the day. I finally gave up and from advice on some crunchy forum, tried Milk of Magnesia. I know. Worked better than anything else but… a little odd and messy. Will definitely give Jasons a try.
@SE, Milk of Magnesia? Will wonders never cease.
Another salt crystal waver here! I add a spritz of apple cider vinegar (mixed 50/50 with water) in the shower every so often to remove more persistent bugs, and generally spray my crystal with the ACV on the same day, before using it.
I find that helps to keep bacteria build up (and therefore any undue smell) to a minimum. I still sweat, or should I say “feel the heat”, but don’t notice any unpleasant odour.
(Also, Lisa, I’ve caught up from my archive read, and now feel a little bereft, though also pleased – one less tab kept open in Chrome. Up to click the RSS now!)
@WA_side, :)
I know that this post is late, but I just have to add that a wonderful alternative to conventional deodorants is Purell hand sanitizer. No odor, no white marks or stains on clothing. The only downside is that it takes a minute or two for it to dry. After using Purell for a year now, I would never go back to “regular” deodorant.
The ONLY WASP deodorant, and I can’t believe it hasn’t been mentioned before is ELIZABETH ARDEN BLUE GRASS CREAM DEODORANT.
I have used it for 25 plus years. Works great, smells divine.
The only acceptable substitutes are Estee Lauder YOUTH DEW deodorant or CLINIQUE.
Never liked any of the “natural” oned
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