Remember when I told you guys about my unfortunate Dove deodorant habit? Well, I’ve finally kicked it, thanks to Aubrey’s Mens Stock North Woods Deodorant. Ted already reviewed the line, and in the post he points out that it smells like lumberjack. Well, that’s kinda true, but I’ve found that once the deodorant sits on my skin for a while, it smells much less masculine. My body chemistry makes it smell like girly pine, if there even is such a thing.
In all honesty, I must admit to still occasionally using my Dove deodorant, especially if I’m going on a hike with other people or doing any other activity during which I don’t want to be offensive. But this past week in California it was uncharacteristically hot for May, nearly 100ºF, and Aubrey’s Herbal Pine wonder was all I used. It didn’t repel the stink entirely, but when it’s that hot I haven’t found any single way to keep from getting ripe, my Dove included. The most effective way I’ve found of dealing with extreme heat is to shower once in the morning, and then a second time in the late afternoon. I make sure to keep both showers short to conserve water.
The only problem with this deodorant is that when I apply it after a shower, it burns like hell. As a woman who wouldn’t be caught dead with underarm hair a la hippie, I shave my underarms every day. As a result, the alcohol in many alternative deodorants burns my pits when I spray it on. This isn’t that big of a problem, though; I think of it now as aftershave. I just figured I should warn you before you try it. (Note: if you’re a dude, there’s no burning involved. Well, unless you also shave your underarms.)
I’ve finally found a natural deodorant that works for me, and I couldn’t be happier that it’s an Aubrey product. I could be a little bit happier about the price, though: one four-ounce bottle costs about $9. That’s not that bad, really, and it’s totally worth it; but when compared to my $3 stick of Dove, it feels pricey. But then again, you get what you pay for. Here are the ingredients for the Aubrey deodorant:
INGREDIENTS: Natural Grain Alcohol, Witch Hazel (natural herbal extract), Arnica Flower Extract, Calamine, Vitamin E, Calendula Oil, Pine Needle Oil.
Amazing. And here are the ingredients from my old Dove deodorant stick:
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS: Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex Gly (18.5%) (Anti-Perspirant)
INACTIVE INGREDIENTS: CyclopentaSiloxane, Stearyl Alcohol, PPG 14 Butyl Ether, Dimethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Talc, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil (Sunflower), Fragrance (Parfum), Steareth 100, Vegetable Oil (Olus), Glyceryl Oleate, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, TBHQ, BHT, Citric Acid
Boy, am I glad I made the switch.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
jordan 05.19.08 at 1:29 pm
Hey! Thanks for the great info. I was browsing through a bunch of green websites and blogs and I came across yours and found it very interesting. There are a bunch of others I like too, like the daily green, ecorazzi and earthlab.com. I especially like EarthLab.com’s carbon calculator (http://www.earthlab.com/signupprofile/). I find it really easy to use (it doesn’t make me feel guilty after I take it). Are there any others you would recommend? Can you drop me a link to your favorites (let me know if they are the same as mine).
BluGreen333 10.24.08 at 4:03 pm
Choosing a more natural and healthful approach to hygiene is worth it.
I used to use Aubrey Men’s herbal pine deodorant as well, but I must admit- it gets old very quickly. I am a guy and the ‘lumberjack’ smell is only good in few select circumstances.
I have switched over to Weleda Citrus Deodorant. I also like their sage for a change at times/room refresher. Both are gender neutral in my opinion.
They have a Weleda Rose Deodorant especially for females.
They are denat. alcohol and natural and, I believe, organic oils. (No petrochemicals)
If you truly want to be odor free during those 100 degree summer days without resorting to toxic aluminum…invest in a pair of 100% merino wool undershirts. I would suggest a 150 gram, ultra light weight, Icebreaker layer. It will keep you dry, wick away perspiration, and truly leave you odor free at the end of the day regardless of your use of deodorant.
-JS