Hello caren,
Yes, anything that will neutralise odor but not stop the action of the
sweat glands is a deodorant, not an anti-perspirant. To avoid the
ingredients which form the basis of antiperspirants, you want to check
the ingredients on a product to make sure it does not contain
aluminium, zinc or zirconium compounds. Some products which are
described as deodorants do include aluminium chlorhydrate.
You will probably find these products most easily from manufacturers
who base their ranges on natural ingredients such as those derived
from plants. Looking at the ranges sold in wholefood (organic) shops
would be a good place to start.
Some examples: I do not know if you are in the US, UK or elsewhere,
so have included products from both sides of the Atlantic, more as
examples of what to look for than as specific recommendations.
a UK product based on coriander, sage and eucapyptus with aloe vera
http://www.newcare.co.uk/subdue_deodorant.html
2 more UK products: http://www.marthahill.com/bath/deodorants.asp
Botanical deodorant sticks that will be available from the end of
March http://www.myvitanet.com/deodstichrb2.html
Tea tree deodorant stick with arnica http://www.theherbdr.com/p34.html
Lush Cosmetics do deodorant bars. You can see the range at
www.lushcanada.com/ You have to click on “start shopping” and then on
“deodorants” to get the information. A full list of ingredients is
given for each one.
You can even make some for yourself, although I have some
reservations, explained below:
“An excellent deodorant (not anti-perspirant) can be made by stirring
bicarb.soda into thin soap jelly until it is like a cream.
Or apply a few drops of an anti-bacterial essential oil, such as
lavender, rosemary, tea-tree, or pine, to damp underarms when you
leave the shower. Make a deodorant dusting powder from 50% bicarb.soda
& 50% pure corn (not wheat)starch, or rice flour, sifted together
until well mixed.”
“Top to Toe Beauty Using Natural Substances”
http://www.users.on.net/arachne/beauty.html
NB I personally have found that essential oils work very well,
although I would recommend diluting them all in a carrier oil first,
except for tea tree, patchouli and lavender, which can be used neat.
I would avoid pine, because it can be very irritating. If you do want
to try it, it needs to be diluted much more than any other oils (not
more than 0.5% according to
http://www.buyaromatherapy.com/store/pine.html, which works out at one
drop in 40 ml of carrier)
I’m less sure about the soap idea, because it could be irritating,
especially if you have sensitive skin. The dusting powder could be
fragranced by sprinkling a few drops of essential oil into it.
Search strategy: 1. deodorant “non anti-perspirant” 2. deodorant
“no aluminium” |
