Deodorant Update

As you may recall, it was on my 2010 List to find an alternative to deodorant. Some people have issue with the chemicals. I get that, but it wasn't my driving force. For me, it's about the icky residue it leaves on my skin, and the fact that I can reapply 3 times a day, and still feel like I smell worse than if I just skipped it all together and let the world deal with my lovely natural body odor.

The first super random solution I tried this year was Milk of Magnesia. No go. It's funky to put on (since it's a liquid), and it didn't work any better than deodorant. (Though it didn't work any worse either.)

A couple people have mentioned the Crystal to me, but I've read mixed reviews online, from a chemical perspective it still has aluminum, and (most relevant) I've never seen it in stores.

Then, a couple weeks ago, I read about a blogger using straight baking soda as deodorant--and that's it! Sounded way too simple, but I was willing to give it a go. So, I used baking soda solo for about a week and a half. The results? It totally works! Crazy, I know, but it does. All day long, no smell whatsoever. It's kind of amazing!

Then, a few days ago, I mixed in some Arrowroot powder with the baking soda (less than half Arrowroot in the mixture), based on more blogger experimentation. I had read that some people had rash or post-shaving sting issues with the straight baking soda. It is a bit abrasive and I noticed after about a week, my skin was looking and feeling a little raw. But the Arrowroot makes all the difference in the world! It makes it all soft and fluffy and luxurious, and I think as long as you keep the majority of the mix baking soda, it still works just fine. (Note: Arrowroot was recommended instead of cornstarch, which some use, as it has less chemical ick.)

A few notes:

• Application: Some people recommended brushing on with a makeup brush. I didn't find it as effective when applied this way. Instead, I just grab a pinch of powder and rub it on when my skin is still dewy after a shower.
• It seems to work best when I shower in the morning and put it on immediately after. If I shower at night and then just wash up before applying in the morning, it's not nearly as effective.
• Antiperspirant: This is a deodorant replacement, not antiperspirant. I certainly don't think I'm sweating any more than with deodorant, but deodorant never slowed down sweat for me anyway.
• More to come! I'm planning to experiment with making my own deodorant(!), so I'll keep you posted.

And, guess what? I even have a special bonus for all of you! (Cause I know you're all oh-so-interested in my scent-scapades!) So, I kinda went crazy looking up homemade remedies and concoctions that day. One of the related recommendations I found was to spray straight vinegar on the armpits of your clothes (the smelly ones, from your pre-baking soda days) before throwing them in the washer to completely clean away any trace of odor. Works! You'll notice there's still a vinegar smell when you take your clothes out of the washer, but by the time they come out of the dryer--so fresh and so clean!

Be on the lookout, I'm hoping to share much more successful homemade goodness soon!