Blog Update!
For those of you not following me on Facebook, as of the Summer of 2019 I've moved to Central WA, to a tiny mountain town of less than 1,000 people.

I will be covering my exploits here in the Cascades, as I try to further reduce my impact on the environment. With the same attitude, just at a higher altitude!

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Wherein I air my dirty laundry

It's been a while since I've covered any of the personal changes I've made whilst trying to live a little lighter on the Earth. Well, if you don't count my fixation of peeing all over my plants. For the most part, we've been discussing general topics and I'd like to share with you a recent change I've made.

Let me tell you, I'm most excited about this one. Let me also forewarn you that this is probably more information than you want to hear but, as usual, I'll spare no expense as there are always others out there wondering about the what ifs.

Get a piece of The RockI've been hearing a lot lately about people switching over to non-aluminum based deodorants rather than the standard antiperspirant products. One of the alternatives that people are trying is the crystal deodorant rock.

Now, while I wouldn't mind rubbing The Rock on my armpits or other sweaty areas, I've been doubtful that it will help much with perspiration. And, I don't think he'll fit in my bathroom cabinet.

Anyway, many switch products to reduce the amount of packaging and plastic and many do it for health reasons, believing that the ingredients in standard antiperspirants are harmful. Some people believe that these ingredients may lead to breast cancer or may contribute to Alzheimer's. While none of these claims, as yet, have been backed up by any existing scientific or medical evidence, people are avoiding these products just in case.

I've been intrigued by other's experiences with the crystal, but haven't had the courage to try it. Until now. You see, the chemo my husband is on (or, rather, the four drug combo) has been causing him to have a severe reaction to the Ban roll-on that he's been using forever.

So, he went out and bought a Crystal Body Deodorant, mostly because it claims that it is recommended by Cancer Treatment Centers. I'll let you go through the trouble of reading how it works, but just know that there are a number of different manufacturers that make them and they come in a rock format as well as roll-on. Obviously, The Rock is going to have less plastic involved with it.

I was eyeballing this little gem in the bathroom for about a week before I got the nerve to give it a try. Under controlled circumstances. In other words, on a day when I knew I would be home. With backup nearby. And perhaps a blowtorch.

Now, let me back up and share a little too much about my lifelong challenge with antiperspirants. I come from a long line of highly sweaty individuals. Ever since, well puberty, perspiration has been an enormous problem for me. I've tried a bajillion different antiperspirant combinations over the years and finally settled on using Mitchum as it was pretty much the only stuff that would keep things under control. Barely.

I am not the type of person that can wear a shirt more than once. Something combines with my sweat and the ingredients in these products and creates a hazardous substance that is impossible to remove. In other words, I destroy clothes. If I wanted to get the stains out of my shirts I need to use a bike chain degreaser. Or a pair of scissors. There. Now you know. I've aired what little dirty laundry I have.

So, while I've been reading about other people trying out these alternative methods, I'm thinking, yeah, right. There's no way. It probably works for those non-sweating, hairless people who can wear a shirt for a week straight and no one will notice. I can barely wear a shirt for more than a few hours and I'm ready to change it. Why, God, why?

But, I digress. Let me just tell you that underarm sweating has been the bane of my existence. I cannot wear white. Are you getting the extent of the picture yet, because I really don't want to draw it anymore.

Well, last week I tried it out and holy shit, I can't stop sniffing my pits. No, seriously! Usually a couple hours after taking a shower and applying antiperspirant I start smelling a little. Usually just a mix of whatever fragrance is in the stuff I'm using and a little sweat. Nothing bad, mind you, but there's a smell there.

With this stuff there is nothing. Absolutely nothing. Nada. Zilch. Not a whiff of fragrance, pit or anything. It's a fucking miracle. Even after weeding in the garden in the sun for the afternoon, it's a regular sniff-fest around here.

My armpits are so delightful, you can eat off of them and lick them clean!

If you've been thinking of giving the crystal a try, but have been afraid that it wouldn't meet your stink standards, I am hereby endorsing this elixir of the gods. Your pits will thank you. And so will the person sitting next to you on the bus this summer.

What do you use? Does it work and do you like it?

102 comments:

Robj98168 said...

I dont use deoderant. May explain why i dont have any friends:P I remember my mom use to use a deodorant that was in a jar - you would put one or two fingers in the jar get a a generous amount of this paste and finger your sweaty areas. Real messy. Smelled like hell. Hey she was a Nurse so no one question it.

Susanne said...

Thank you for a very timely reminder. I'm having problems with deodorants forever because most of them irritate my skin. I have to use the alum-based ones because the others have a ot of alcohol in them which is worse. With the deorant I can wear my shirts two days in a row, easily. But I have to buy new shirts about twice a year because of the white stains under the arms.

I have never thought of trying the crystal since I thought it clogged up your pores... I'm reconsidering, though.

Unknown said...

I have been using one of those for about 2 months. I was pretty doubtful at first but I must say it *does* work extremely well! I have even converted my g/f to it, which is something, considering how reluctant she's been in going down the green path.

Felicity said...

Well done Crunchy! I am a sweater as well and while using the crystal deo, I still sweat, but no smell! I even use it at the gym a-ok. I find the perfumes mixed in with traditional deos are quite often what start smelling..

Burbanmom said...

I switched to the rock during your Eco-Throwdown and I love it! I, too, am a stinky little girl and was really surprised at how it controlled the odor. Supposedly it will work on my stinky-ass toes too, although I haven't tried it yet.

The only time I go back to my Degree antiperspirant is if the forecast is for a 90+ degree day and I'm going to be out and about, unable to reapply.

Kelsie said...

I, like you, was a faithful a Mitchum user for years--it was truly the ONLY thing that worked. Then, one day, I couldn't stand it anymore...the stickiness, the dubious fragrance of the "unscented" variety, the fact that I wasn't sweating at all, and it felt strange...on a whim, I dug through my essential oils and came up with this AMAZING combo:

(for each pit)

5 drops tea tree oil
4 drops patchouli oil (or cedar, or lavender, or rosemary, or clove...etc.)
3 drops orange oil

Of course, I'm going to find out that essential oils give people cancer, but until then, I heartily recommend trying the E.O.'s to beat B.O. I still get the cleansing feeling of having a good sweat AND I don't have to wear perfume!

Anonymous said...

OK, so you don't smell. But do you still sweat? My husband, like you, ruins shirts. They're all pit stained. In airports, he's always pulled aside and searched because he's so sweaty.
Do you sweat just as much and it doesn't smell, or does it cut down on the sweating at all?

Unknown said...

I also have serious problems with every deodorant I try (super dooper extra strength ones to all natural varieties). Everything I tried always left me smelly within hours of putting it on. I saw the crystals and, like others, had my doubts. I recently decided to give it a shot and I love it. No smell, no gross sticky residue with traditional deodorants and it works no matter what (even in super hot Atlanta). I love it, and highly recommend it.

Anonymous said...

i started using a crystal rock some 15 years ago. one night i went out with 2 girlfriends for an evening of entertainment (ie clubbing) some how my choice of deodorant became the topic of conversation with one friend insisting that because i was drenched from all the dancing, i MUST stink. indeed i did not. i'm sure the image of me with my arms in the air and her nose inches from my left pit had something to do with the number of dance partners we had that night, afterall, gals that kinky.....

hmd said...

I ran my own little experiment about a month ago to see how all these concoctions worked. I'm a sweater too as I live in Texas and bike to and from work 50 minutes each way. Here were my results:

http://simple-green-frugal.blogspot.com/2008/06/dude-whats-that-smell.html

BerryBird said...

I still use a commercial anti-perspirant. I tried switching to Tom's of Maine natural deodorant, but being accustomed to antiperspirants, I found the constant sweating to be uncomfortable. I am guessing the rock doesn't slow down the sweating much either?

Anonymous said...

CTDaffodil here....
I'm not the only stinker out there!!! What a relief!! I have actually tried every commercial deo/antipersp out there. DH actually advised me to get over it and try his right gaurd deo. I did and it didn't work - except I smelled like a stinky shemale.

This spring I it dawned on me to read the lables. because certain ones lasted a little longer than others. Mitchum worked the longest - not great but better than au naturale. Well until I tried Almay unscented gel. this stuff is the bomb....with all the aluminum stuff out there I might not know where I left my kids never mind the keys or what day it is - but its working!

I'm gonna try the rock now - I was always a doubter but its the only one I didn't try.Which one did you get Crunchy - could you post a link? My walamrt and CVS sell one but its in a plastic holder thingy with a cap - which looks tidy but makes me wonder if its an imitation.

Did the Toms of Maine give anyone else a rash? I was at the dermotologist because of that - then I was furry and stinky, a total sasquatch - until the rash healed.

I will say that the Arm & Hammer naturals has the nicest smell of the nauturals at walmart/cvs but its not for stinkers.

and I tried some brand at the health food store ($6 for a stick) Didn't work an hour....what a dud....

Unknown said...

Hey, with endorsements like these - I guess I'll have to give it a try! Heavy sweaters unite!

Anonymous said...

I was also a faithful Mitchum user for YEARS. I switched to baking soda a year ago on NIM's dare and haven't looked back. Actually, I've used the Mitchum once or twice (to go to weddings. Just in case, y'know?) and spent the whole day thinking about how gross my armpits felt. Hooray for baking soda!

LeahBear said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
LeahBear said...

Wow, they should pay you to advertise for them - you've sold me on this! I've always used Mitchum, but I'm going to bite the bullet and try the crystal. I'll also get my husband to try it - he uses a prescription strength antiperspirant and so far that's the only thing that works for him.

maryann said...

You've convinced me to give it a try. I don't have a problem so much with the sweat part but the smell part, well enough said. I've tried everything imaginable out there, Mitchums, Secret, Toms of Maine, and even made my own deodarant with wax, oils and essentials. The only thing I've found so far to work is Dove unscented. Everything else, no matter "unscented", still ends up stinking after an hour- must be some body chemistry thing but I can't stand the smell. The homemade one worked great until it got a little warmer then it didn't last as long. I was going to try making a another batch of homemade and modifying it but maybe I'll give the crystal thing a try instead. Thanks Crunchy.

Cave-Woman said...

I know a few people who have used the crystal successfully---but one friend had a terrible reaction to the crystal ( systemic candida skin infection)that lasted for a few months. Ug.

He did, however, use the crystal incorrectly. ( He not only put it under his arms, but behind his knees, elbows). Likely he had a bad time of it because he used it in too many places at once. So, sticking it only under your pits is the best. (:

For myself, I've recently switched to baking soda. The true test whether or not it works for me will be these next few outdoor days in Mississippi. If it stands the test after that, then I know I have a winner in baking soda.

Hannah said...

I started using the crystal last fall. I've always been a smelly sweaty gal--but when I started using it, I thought somehow I must have just grown out of it or something. And my armpits no longer itched, as they have done in mild reaction to regular deo. for twenty years.

This is a very hot summer and I can go two days on one application of the rock. This stuff is incredible--and feels clean going on, unlike that gluey solid.

When I used another (strong) deo. the other day (on a trip), I smelled to high heavens by the afternoon.

So, like you, I am a total convert!

THE SANDY DOG BAKERY said...

Great info! Thanks for sharing!!

Amy Butler said...

My family went 'all natural' when I was four so alternatives are the norm for me. We use Pure & Natural which is produced by Deodorant Stones of America and have always had amazing success.

Terri said...

this was just so hilariously TMI, but I loved it.

scifichick said...

I also wonder about the amount of sweating, not the smell. I mean, it's great that it works so well on the smell, but what about sweating itself? I always struggle with wearing close fitting clothes, because then I have sweat spots under my arms ;-( Only prescription aluminum staff worked so far.
It's nice to know that there are so many sweaty/smelly people! I am not alone! Yey! ;-)

Maeve said...

My husband switched to the Rock deodorant several years ago and was hooked about as fast as you were. Before the Rock? He'd come home smelling like a putrid swamp on the days he was stuck in equipment rooms or on top of hot roofs. After the Rock? It's very very very rare that he has any strong sweat scent. In fact, I'd go so far as to say if he ever does stink, it's because he totally forgot to apply his Rock.

I haven't switched to using a Rock. Been thinking of it, but I really like the patchouli fragrance in my 'kiss my face liquid rock' deodorant. :) It doesn't hold up to hot sweaty days in the sun, but that's what bathing is for.

Greenpa said...

The idea that you're going to get away from "aluminum" products by using the Crystal- is very very strange! There's even a big hint there- if you dig around and ask "what IS the Crystal?"- they tell you- oh, it's the natural mineral "alum". Notice any similarities between "aluminum" and "alum"?

That would be because alum is "hydrated aluminum potassium sulfate". And the crystal is pure alum.

So- just be aware. You bet the crystal works- it's a more concentrated version of what they put in commercial deodorants.

I don't use aluminum cookware anymore- the suspicions about a role for aluminum in Alzheimers do indeed look - suspicious- to me. I'd just rather avoid it.

Sorry! Buy you may have more worrying to do yet.

Robbyn said...

Ok now I'm going to have to try the rock thing. I'm a die-hard Mitchum gal...no other deo cuts it for the gals in our house. I haven't been up to some of your prior challenges, but I do think I'll go for this one...shall report back :)

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

20 years of *rockin'* out!

J said...

Thanks for sharing this. I've had issues with being 'sweaty' and have never thought any of the natural or 'alternative' antiperspirants would work either. I'll have to give it a try.

And might I say, I admire your honesty. Many of the things you say are things we all experience or think and you are brave enough to let it all hang out. I love your honesty and think we all learn a lot from your willingness to put these things out there. We all want to know but we don't want to be the ones to ask or write about it.

Jenette said...

Well ... I tried the rock a little over 15 years ago (when I was a teenager) and it didn't work so well. It worked well on one pit but the other could have taken your noise hair off ... I tried sackley and several others until I landed on mens old spice! Since I have been progo I have had a layer of trader Joe's cotton before the old spice. I guess I should give it another try.

Theresa said...

I've used baking soda for a couple months now and it is fantastic. No smell at all - better than commercial deodorant. But I do still get sweaty. Maybe I will give this crystal stuff a try!

Green Bean said...

Sweet! I think Burbs was using the crystal too. Once I use up my "Tom's" and then my LUSH (which came wrapped in hoards of plastic even though the bar itself is not encased), I think I'll give the crystal a try. Sounds awesome.

Maggie said...

When my mom was first diagnosed with breast cancer, one of the first things her doctor asked her was about deodorant. I have been using a deodorant only (no antipersperant) for over a year now and it works great. Although, it's tough to find a deodorant only for women. I still sweat, but I'm not stinky and I live in Florida! It is natural to sweat, even though I don't really like it all too much. I haven't tried the rock yet, but maybe next time! Thanks!

Anonymous said...

I've been using the crystal deodorant since '95. I'm kind of a sweater, too, and this is what I've found to work for me for particularly hot days outside:

*be sure to wash your pits well before first application and apply a lot
*if re-applying later in the day, re-wash then apply, you get the longest time span once again
*eat or drink (juicing) chlorophyll rich foods (greens) a lot, they deodorize you internally and cut back on flesh foods - they cause you to smell more
* sometimes I've applied some pure corn starch over the deodorant application if I know I'll be out sweating all day and just want to not feel wet underarms. Works great for that.

I think using the crystal or other non-antiperspirant deodorants that work for you are way safer for your body. You have lymph right there in your pits and by blocking their natural actions of perspiring, well lots of things can get backed up and cause all sorts of problems including breast lumps. It's just not worth it.

Anonymous said...

oops, "n" is me, Nature Deva. Don't know what happened when I published my comment.

lauren said...

Thanks for airing your dirty laundry! I don't mind airing mine...I rarely have an odor issue, but I do tend to sweat a lot.

I also teach 6th graders who would think pit stains are hilarious! I guess middle school students' judgments still sting as an adult :) So, I kept my super strong deodorants in use.

Now that is is summer (hot, yes, but childless, for me)I ordered Funk Butter by Oyin and a small crystal to try out. They haven't arrived yet, but I'm hopeful.

If that fails I've heard good things about simple baking soda and water.

Anonymous said...

For all the sweat-stained clothes people - have you tried non-chlorine bleach? I used Countrysave for a long time, but I think they're all the same, including Oxyclean. Non-chlorine bleach is good for all sorts of organic stains including sweat & blood.

I had to choose between using the crystal & cutting down on showers - I chose to switch back to commercial deodorant. The crystal worked great if I washed thoroughly every morning. Rubbing alcohol works great that way, too - knocks back the smelly bacteria.

But I'm a delicate & fragile snowflake - I can't wear scented things, and most of the "natural" commercial deodorants give me big red welts wherever they touch me.

Kelly said...

i don't know about the crystal, but i love toms of maine. the SO has also switched, and while i prefer the rose scent, the one that works for him is the calendula. seeing as how i sweat even WITH antiperspirant, and the armpit sweat is probably the least embarrassing, i'm ok with the swap.

now, if someone could figure out how to make my upper lip, forehead, back stop sweating i'd pick up that blocker in a heartbeat, aluminum or not.

mollyjade said...

For the person worried about aluminum in this product, read the link Crunchy posted about how this works. Just because two chemicals share an element doesn't mean they have the same properties. We all recognize that carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide are two very different chemicals, right?

I've been using the crystal for about a year. The same one. That thing lasts forever as long as you don't drop it on the floor. Before that I tried Tom's, which didn't work at all.

Kathy said...

I was excited to try the crystal rock awhile ago so I bought one. I doubted it would work on my husband who gets really stinky and has a physical outside job. It actually worked for him to my surprise, but he developed a rash. After his rash healed he tried again later and got another rash. He has sworn it off now. As for me, it works fine in normal circumstances, but if I'm in any kind of stressful situation or if it starts to get too hot it doesn't work for me. I use it on normal days, but if I ever really want to be sure I'm not stinky I still use my Lady Mitchum.

Anonymous said...

My partner uses the rock. My skin won't tolerate much so I swipe vinegar on my pits after washing -- it won't stop the sweating but it substitutes for deodorant, by -- in my understanding -- controlling the bacteria that cause the stink.

ruchi said...

That's awesome!! I can't freaking wait until my commercial deodorant runs out and I can try The Rock!

Unfortunately I don't think that's going to happen any time soon. I think one stick of deodorant literally lasts me two years. I am not a very heavy sweater so I only apply after bathing.

Lamzeydievey said...

'food not lawns' arrived on my doorstep today, along with gaia's garden. this book looks great. i'm totally excited to start discussion next week!

Kathryn Thompson said...

A friend sent me a link to this blog post because I've been going through a little deo-drama of my own and fro the LOVE, I'm gonna give this a try. What brand are you using?
http://www.daringyoungmom.com/2008/06/16/thoughts-on-a-flat-back/

Anonymous said...

According to my research, ammonium alum is not the same as aluminum. It's also used in baking soda. http://www.questia.com/library/encyclopedia/alum.jsp

The thing with them is you need to rub them about 50 times on each pit to get a decent amount of coverage. I don't find I sweat much with them. (tho, I started using it in the winter and haven't summer tested it much yet).

Anonymous said...

I get a rash from "natural" deodorants too. So I settled for Mitchum every other day or so. Then my brother-in-law turned me on to the crystal. But it doesn't really work for me anymore (about two years later). I don't have onion-y BO with it, but I get a deep mineral-y smell that isn't really great. Eau de unscented hippie?? Still looking for a better solution - maybe I should try baking soda.

Anonymous said...

I too use vinegar --keep a bottle in my shower-- and I don't have the stinky problem. I don't use deodorant if I use the vinegar. Once my deodorant is all gone, I'm not going to buy anymore.

(And I live in the sweaty South.)

May said...

My mom always used a crystal deodorant when I was growing up, but when I tried to use it myself as a teen, it didn't do anything for me. I might as well have been putting water under my arms for all the impact it had. But I'm happy with my Tom's, plus, it smells like apricots.

Flygrl150 said...

I have used the crystal too, and it works really well. However, I use the clinical strength deodorant. I am a little wierd about smells...particularly bodily smells. I have never had any complaints (on my pits or otherwise), so maybe I am just imagining it?? Anyhow, use it at bed time, it lasts 24 hours. Washing it off is a chore. It clings to skin (however, it is invisible so it wont muss my shirts) but I have to scrub pretty good to get it to come off.

Crunchy Chicken said...

Susanne - The Rock doesn't clog up your pores, it basically just prevents bacteria from breeding.

Abbie - I have found that I'm not sweating any more than I was with the Mitchum. This morning was an excellent test... I was late for the bus so I hoofed it with my 30 lb laptop backpack and was, unsurprisingly, sweaty when I got on the bus. You know, the between the boobs kind of sweaty. Anyway, my armpits were not wet at all.

I just sniffed and, voila! nothing. That said, The Rock is not an antiperspirant, so you'll have to see how it works for you.

CTDaffodil - the one we have is the one I linked to in the post.

Greenpa - for what it's worth... mainstream deodorants contain aluminum chlorohydrate/aluminum zirconium. These compounds enter the pores and physically block or clog them to reduce the flow of perspiration.

Alum, on the other hand, is made up of a variety of mineral salts an the molecules of alum are too large to be absorbed into the skin.

Another thing - it doesn't leave white stains or any stains and when you go to wash your pits, it's like washing skin instead of something dipped in candle wax (a la Mitchum).

One last thing - you can get The Rock in a liquid roll-on format. Or, I suspect if you're real MacGyver-like you can dissolve the rock-style Rock in water to make a liquid and put it in a roll-on container if you prefer that.

Mme.Meow said...

I've known about alum rock deodorants for a while, and have always wondered why it could be just that easy. But it is. :o)

Anonymous said...

I never use anything, never have for over 5 decades. But for friends who may ask {it is pretty damn hot here}I will tell them about your endorsement. It's a great thing when a lifelong dilemma can be solved so cheaply and happily.

EcoBurban said...

Oh, thank you, thank you! My husband can not wear regular deodorant. He gets a welty rash from elbow to ribcage under his arms. So,he doesn't wear any. And he says he doesn't stink. EEERT! WRONG! I tell him he's like our Lab, she likes the smell of her stinky self and doesn't even notice it anymore. I will be buying one of these pronto!!!

Crunchy Chicken said...

More info on potassium alum vs. the aluminum in commercial stuff. I cannot vouch for the accuracy of this information (from here):

Most commercial deodorants & antiperspirants use compounds such as aluminum chlorohydrate or aluminum zirconium. They are very soluble and readily absorbed in your body.

Once in your body, the aluminum portion of the molecule ionizes, forming free or radical aluminum. This passes freely across cell membranes and forms a physical plug, that when dissolved is selectively absorbed by your liver, kidney, brain, cartilage and bone marrow.

It is this concentration of aluminum that has been the source of concern in the medical community, and has prompted the research being done on Alzheimer's Disease and breast cancer victims.

Anonymous said...

Wow- boob sweat without pit sweat? I think that should be their slogan.

Tara said...

Now if only there were a solution for boob sweat. I hate that more than anything. ANYTHING. :-|

Jenn said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jenn said...

I guess I'm lucky - I'm not a very sweaty person. In high school and college I used products but only because that's just what I was trained to do. I stopped using them when I moved to New Orleans just after college. I realized that the sweat is really just water and it doesn't smell like anything.

Even in cooler climates, I don't usually have a lot of sweat or odor under my arms. If I'm wearing restrictive clothing (corporate/girl drag) - I might notice more odor with clothing that doesn't breathe. Unless I'm on a 4 mile run in 80 or 90 degree weather, I never drip sweat.

But - I do live in the Bay Area which is very temperate, and I drink tons of water - so either my body is flushing stuff out that way, or something is wrong with my body and that's why I don't sweat.

I feel for you guys, though - I really do.

Anonymous said...

For super, super sweaters like I am (was), I'd recommend hyperhydrosis surgery a thousand times over. Now I don't sweat at all and I never have to buy deodorant again. Problem solved.

kate said...

Crunchy, I don't know the scientific explanation for this. I was the same way, with sweaty arm pits, and could not wear white (aka brown in certain places).

But when I moved my office to my house, I eventually stopped using any anti-perspirants. I wore sweatshirts and t shirts and it didn't matter. Then I discovered something: I had stopped sweating so much.

I don't know what happened, but when I stopped using them I stopped needing them. It took a few months.

Now I rarely use anything, except maybe if I haven't showered and I have to be somewhere nice.

Good luck!

kate

Anonymous said...

I use Dove unscented and it works great but the rock sounds so much more benign. I'll give it a try.

mudnessa said...

my grandma always used a rock deodorant i think i may have tried it one summer when i was visiting her but i dont really remember.

i dont remember to use my antiperspirant/deodorant very often and because of the i did buy a natural one but i actually smelt more when i used it. i think it was the combination of my slight smell with the gel that made me more aware, mostly because my pits always felt a bit clammy.

i work outside and in the heat and the sweating doesnt really bother me and i dont tend to be very smelly, well i dont notice and no one complains. i will look into getting a rock and seeing how it works, when i remember of course.

Katie said...

Oh Crunchy, I'm a stinky, sweaty girl too! (Maybe all of us need a support group??)

I've used the crystal rock for over a year now and it works really well, although I still carry Jason Tea Tree Deodorant Stick in my purse just in case.

My only complaint is that I still sweat like a pig but at least I don't stink. Its good to know its not just me and my sisters with this problem!

Anonymous said...

I stopped using commercial antiperspirants/deodorants a while back b/c they really irritated my skin. I now dab a little aveda oil on the pits, and it keeps em smelling nice. Sometimes I can smell my pits, but only after about 3 days without a shower (hey I have a 4mo baby and a 3yo, AND I work outside the home, I'm busy!) I found the yellow stains on armpits of white shirts has totally disappeared since I stopped using the commercial stuff. And I think the perfume smells nicer anyway!

Anonymous said...

Growing up in the Philippines, I was aware that the old folks used something called "tawas", some kind of stone which we were told was alum. Of course, my friends and I were more "modern" so when we came of age, we bought the commercial deodorants from the drugstores.
I currently use deodorants advertised as natural like Queen Helene's, but I am looking for less plastic packaging of products, so I will go and try the rock. I just might pick up some when I visit Manila for what could be the last time to see my family there.

Harper said...

This post and the comments have been very useful. I've never been much of a sweater but as I approach menopause I've suddenly acquired stinkiness. Deodorants that have always worked for me stopped working. I finally started using a prescription strength antiperspirant, Mitchum. It works for 15 hours or so so it's daily bathing and application for me. However, after reading the comments - duh, I need a deodorant not an antiperspirant. Since I started using the Mitchum, my pits have been itchy and tender and the skin is peeling and I never considered that was the super strength antiperspirant. Maybe I'll try the crystal or one of the other solutions mentioned. But I really hate sitting at my desk in my air-conditioned office and suddenly getting a whiff of BO. I didn't really mind my stink before -- it was kinda grassy -- but I smell like I do heavy physical labor which I assuredly do not. Thanks for bringing up the subject.

Jennifer said...

Well, I'm going to try the rock. I've had to try 'Drysol' which is over the counter at the pharmacy. You use it at night, twice a week. And it stops the sweating and the smell. But I think I'll try the rock, just in case.

kitchenmage said...

I have always wondered how well one of those rocks would work. (The Rock, OTOH, seems too oily to work well, well as an anti-stink thing at least...) Now that I have your recommendation, I'll give it a shot.

btw, your blog is the BEST TMI site ever!

Matt J said...

I do baking soda, plain and simple. And it works really well. No sweat, no smell.

Segwyne said...

I am probably strange in that I stink, but don't really sweat. And it is worse in the winter than in the summer. I think that is because in the summer, my pits get a lot more air, whereas in the winter they are bundled up under a T shirt and sweatshirt or sweater. I also usually go a week between showers, so I have been using Avalon organic deodorant, and so has my super sweaty and stinky husband. My poor husband has to reapply tow to three times a day at work or he gets complaints from his coworkers. He even got a talking to from his supervisor. But it isn't like he doesn't shower frequently or skip the deodorant. He just produces a lot of sweat and stink. Perhaps we will try the rock.

Anonymous said...

When I was over visiting family in Denmark a good 4 or so years ago, I bought 2 different types of rock deo.

One came in a little squirt bottle (the rock broken into smaller chunks) that you refilled whenever the water ran out.. shake it a few times before spraying on your pits, spray & off you go! One of my old housemates stole it though, so I didn't get to finish the bottle.. but it lasted me a good long time!

The other is just the rock in a hard plastic container with a screw off lid. It works like magic. I love it & won't go back to anything else if i can avoid it.

Here in Australia, I've heard really good things about a brand called QV. Apparently their roll on deo is good for blokey odours.. however, I always list the benefits of the rock, cos i love it.

ps. I wonder if there is a way that I could get The Rock to rub on myself. I'm sure I could fit him somewhere in my apartment.. surely...

kat

Anonymous said...

do you put it on wet or dry? I have a crystal deodorant and it says to rub over wet pits. It just didnt work for me. It felt sticky and i was a bit smelly at the end of the day. I also tried the roll on version - bought it a year ago and still have it.

mudnessa said...

Jill~
The website says "Moisten the stick and rock prior to usage."

nemo said...

Well you're not the only one who pees in the garden. It occurred to me when I saw the World's Fastest Indian, a true story and a great movie.

As for deodorant, all that stuff does is clog your pores. You can of course take drugs too, or use botox as you mentioned. As for the rock I am not so sure.

This is certainly one area where an excessive placebo effect can be expected. Any kind of anxiety, nervousness, etc. greatly contributes to sweating and so relaxation in any shape or form is quite helpful.

Erika said...

I second Burbanmom... and I second Crunchy's reaction to the rock-odorant! I came in from the garden one afternoon, did the "self-sniff" test, and promptly ran to my husband, lifted my arm, and said, "Honey, smell my pit! I just tried the hippie deodorant." Needless to say, at first, he wasn't too inclined to sniff... but once he did, he too was amazed!

Anonymous said...

The rock never worked for me. He's a terrible actor and just too bulky... and I don't like the deodorant rock either.

I vote for baking soda applied with a powder puff to dry underarms. Works for me, and I tend to be pretty noxious without deodorant too.

Anonymous said...

ctdaffodil -
Crunch - I bought the same version you guys have - I looked up the link. I bought it a couple months ago on sale at CVS. I'll be trying it out this morning....(I'm doing yard work so it will get a workout)

Tomorrow is more yard work so I'll be trying the baking soda.

Saturday will be camper cleaning and packing for a long trip so I'll be wicked sweaty and will try the Almay again on that day.

I'll report back results.

To the lush users - I also tried that one (like their bar shampoos). Similar rash like the Toms - but since I caught it quick I stopped using it quick - who would have thought good for you products could be not so good for your skin....

Looking for the Kiss My Face Stuff next.

Greenpa said...

Hiya Crunch- I'm afraid I do not find their claims that "potassium alum is NOT aluminum!" convincing; particularly because that whole statement is just flat not true; it IS an aluminum compound; no way out of that.

Keep in mind these are the people selling the stuff.

Then they go on into great official sounding detail about the chemistry of the "bad" aluminum chlorates etc.- how THEY ionize in the body, etc.

I'm enough of a chemist to ask- and just how is K-AL-SO4 any different? It's an ionic salt- typically they'll dissociate pretty damn freely in any aqueous solution, giving you exactly the same aluminum ions floating around. Exactly. The. Same. Any aluminum ion is going to be the same size and have the same reactivity, no matter where it came from.

You might also note that the fact they're sounding so defensive there is evidence that others have made the same point.

Meanwhile- I AM more biologist than chemist- any professional chemists want to comment here? My opinion is- the alleged differences are being made just for the purpose of selling alum. I think the chemistry is indistinguishable- particularly once dumped into the incredibly complex organic soup of body chemistry.

jlpicard2 said...

I actually use rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle as one method. This can also work well if you skip showering a day, as it kills the bacteria that cause odor when you spray it on. I spray copious amounts and rub my arms back and forth (front to back to front) against my body to ensure complete coverage. Some may wish to wait some time after a hot shower as this could in some cases be painful (open pores). This can last a long time if you use bleach in your whites, as the undershirt is basically sterile, and you are careful to not contaminate the area. I do not use bleach any more to make my clothes last longer. Even without bleach, it can last longer than colored clothes if you wash your whites in hot water. If you mix methods, be sure to sterilize the deodorant by spraying it down first and letting it sit for awhile. Otherwise, you kill the bacteria, and then reapply a fresh supply of bacteria. That said, I have not tried the Crystal, but it sounds like it works on the same basic principal of preventing microbial activity.

Anonymous said...

i've been using crystal deodorant since around 1990. the packaging on the first one said it would last a year, and i think it lasted for five. i find it highly effective, extremely inexpensive, and simple. i've always wondered why more people didn't use crystal deordorant and am so glad to see it having a bit of a popularity fest just now!

i teach yoga and bike to all my classes, so on a warm day i can use some backup by afternoon. i just carry a small bottle of perfume oil(entirely from essential oils; nothing synthetic) in my bag. when needed, i just rub a bit into my hands and then under my arms.

i get a good number of compliments about my smell, and i'm pretty sure it's the combination of natural-me and perfume that does it, *grin*.

Anonymous said...

looking back i see a few requests about sweat versus odor. crystal deodorant is a salt that makes the underarm an unhospitable environment for the bacteria that create body odor. you will smell much less, but there won't be any effect on your sweat.

Buddhist In The West said...

This is a topic I am interested in. I have used a tea tree oil deodorant for some years, due to wanting something without aluminum. I was waiting to hear some 'REAL LIFE' feedback on the crystal method, as I am somewhat skeptical if interested in such.

Laura said...

After trying the crystal and a few other things, I settled on Burt's Bees spray deodorant. It comes in a recyclable aluminum spray bottle.
http://www.burtsbees.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=-108&categoryId=10010&subCategoryId=-139&catalogId=10051&storeId=10001&langId=-1
It works pretty darn well for me.
I am lazy enough that wetting the crystal was kind of a pain to do every day.

Anonymous said...

i agree with greenpa - i don't use the crystal for the same reason.
i use weleda citrus deodorant. it smells great, it keeps me dry and fresh and i love it. i've used tons of different natural deos and this ones worked the best for me... plus it comes in a glass spray bottle which i reuse for other things after it's finished.

Liz said...

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who got a rash from the rock. I was so excited to try it (I use Tom's deo, but it doesn't help enough with the stink factor), and while I had no stink on the rock, I had a terrible, itchy rash all down my sides.

Just because it's "natural" doesn't mean it's benign, but what a disappointment!

PsychMamma said...

You've convinced me, and I'm finally going to try the crystal. I've thought about it for ages, but have always been hesitant for the very same reasons you listed. Your story gives me courage to try. You're a real inspiration in the underarm world. :-)

http://psychmamma.wordpress.com

mudnessa said...

i went out and got my self a the same one you linked and i used it today, no smell and i did have a quite sweaty day, my boss needed help moving a bunch of heavy boxes, outside in the sun with the dogs biting our hands because they wanted to help. my only issue is that im not a shower everyday person and it says to use it on clean skin only, i wonder if i should reapply tomorrow or if i will explode of something if i use more.

Sharlene said...

Okay- I am trying the rock. I am a sweaty woman. I sweat like a man. As a matter of fact no woman's deoderant has tamed me yet so I have been using men's for years. But now I shall try something new. I am excited. May the sweat be tamed!

Anonymous said...

Being a sweaty woman as well, I started using the crystal many years ago and found it worked incredibly well, even in the hottest days of summer. I have found that the crystal lasts a good long time, unlike the SURE that I used to use and would use up within a month. Welcome to crystal land! I also tried Tom's Of Maine and it also gave me a rash, NOT reassuring when you are doing your best to go without the chemicals. Now, just tell me how to convince my friends and loved ones to use it....an uphill battle there.

Anonymous said...

I'm definitely one of those sweaty people and could never seem to find a deodorant that actually kept me smell-free for more than a couple hours (working in a manual labor field has a tendency to make one sweaty). I finally tried just plain baking soda and it has been a miraculous change. I still sweat, but I don't stink after work. It's super cheap, environmentally friendly and keeps me fresh all day. I'll never go back to regular deodorant.

rachel said...

i am always on the lookout for a new deodorant. it seems i have to switch it up a lot or they quit working. i tried the crystal with much success... initially. but then that quit working too. i have several shirts that are ruined now from using it because i would sweat so much while using it that my shirts were always saturated. i don't know if it's that deoderant or previous ones that got on the fabric (you know how that stuff doesn't wash out) and now they perpetually stink. i might try baking soda. i remember my mom using that. why not? i use it for everything else.

Anonymous said...

I'm a sweaty one as well, and I've switched to baking soda and it's working pretty well. If I want absolute dryness, I used Lavilin. It's a cream deodorant, made in Israel, and it will keep the pits dry for about a week (two days for me). I think the main ingredient is zinc oxide, which is non-toxic, from what I've read. It really dries out my skin, though, so I don't use it unless I need something really strong. It can be purchased at any Walgreen's, it comes in a little black box.

The Dynamic Uno said...

THANK GOD! I thought I was the only person who had the problem with the whole sweat ruining the clothing thing. Living in Florida doesn't help much either--especially when it's 102 in the shade! Can't wait to find this miracle rock! Thanks for posting!

Anonymous said...

I've always wanted to try the crystal thing. Guess now is a good time to at least try since so many seem to have positive results with it

Unknown said...

sometimes I sweat so badly that washing multiple times with various soap and water (I did my face cleaner and then the bar of soap) doesn't take the smell off my pits. I also used to get periodic rashes, especially when using "natural" deodorant like toms of maine (I am allergic to a wide variety of botanical extracts apparently, I can't even use body lotion or face cream with any additive like jojoba or grapeseed oil, etc).

I finally got around this by spritzing my pits with vinegar and rinsing it off after soaping - killed the smell.

Anonymous said...

I have a question about the baking soda: doesn't it come off on your clothes? I can just imagine sweaty clumps of the stuff getting stuck on the inside of your shirt and (gasp!) falling out of your short sleeve at just the wrong moment.

Anonymous said...

If you take chlorophyll you won't need to wear deodorant at all :-)

you still sweat, you just don't have body odor. The liquid works better than the capsules.

jmelyn said...

Perhaps it's my superior Asian genes, but I've never used deoderant and never have. I don't get pit smell. Oh, don't worry; I get other weird skin stuff, which I won't get into.

But if I start using deoderant, I'll use The Rock. And I'm recommending it to my sweaty friends.

Anonymous said...

Don't touch The Rock. I heard he's a dirty Republican. Haha

Unknown said...

dear crunchy
i'm very happy to finally meet someone with the same sweating problems i have. but there's one more thing for me: i live in brazil, and i cant find the rock for sale here, and amazon wont deliver so far away..... can you help me? is there anything else that can smell-save me, besides the rock?
thanks

Rachel R. said...

It didn't work for me. :( In fact, after a few weeks of use, the crystal smelled like BO. If the bacteria can grow on a whole lump of the stuff, how can it keep bacteria from growing in my pits?!

Christina said...

I recognize this is YEARS since this was posted. But I want to give a tip that has really helped me. (and believe me, I have a tendency to stink even with deodorants and anti-bacterial soaps) ... The thing I've found to help the best is a LOT of exfoliation. That means removing hair (I do this for smell more than appearance, People would rarely see my hair) ... and using a good exfoliating scrub. I still tend to use an antibacterial scrub. I found this works better than deodorants and I don't have that deodorant smell either. (I don't know why- but I hated it.)

Unknown said...

I'm a huge fan of rock crystal deodorant. Cheap, less waste, NO SMELL on me or because of me. Tried everything drugstore and prescription but antiperspirants didn't reduce sweating enough and deodorants left me stinky after 4 hours of not much activity. Bought a stone and a roll-on. Dilute the stone in distilled water, add some EO if you please, reuse the roller!