Ok, so I’m back with my sensitive skin or baking soda-free deodorant favorites. Full disclosure, I wrote this blog post a REALLY LONG time ago and just never hit publish (I mention this because the “Waves” deodorant isn’t available as above anymore, but as I’ll explain more below). Since it’s a good time to test out natural deodorants I decided to get my act together and finally share this post. As mentioned in my very original deodorant favorites post here I hop around from deodorant to deodorant often, sometimes because one might all the sudden seem less effective and sometimes just for the curiosity of trying something new. Actually, when I was trying these 3 out I ended up having all three (plus some others) on rotation throughout the week because sometimes I just wanted a different scent or sometimes I didn’t feel like getting my hands messy so I used the stick version. It’s good to have options, ya know?

Anyway, sometime a few years ago I developed a temporary sensitivity to the baking soda often used as a main ingredient in these products. It all started when I took a trip to Paris and might have eaten a few too many baguettes & pastries (although I have a hard time blaming such deliciousness for my problems) and developed a massive eczema outbreak by the end of the 10 days. Those of you with eczema know that it often affects the crease areas of your body like your elbow creases or the backs of your knees or in my unfortunate case, also in the armpits. It was itchy, red and inflamed and my deodorant just fueled the fire. I suspected it was the baking soda that was adding to the irritation since that can be a sensitive ingredient even for those without eczema. After a deodorant detox (that I posted about here for anyone else needing a solution) I switched over to trying sensitive formulas that are sans baking soda and found them just as effective. So that’s what this post is about, check it out:

Meow Meow Tweet Baking Soda Free Deodorant Stick: Grapefruit

I appreciate how thoughtful this brand is with their ingredients and packaging. As stated on their website: “All products are made with organic, unrefined plant oils and butters, steam-distilled and cold-pressed essential oils and organic and wild-crafted botanicals.”  They are vegan and cruelty free and the packaging is biodegradable. This particular formula is created without baking soda, as the name suggests, giving those with sensitive skin an option. I’ve never had an ounce of irritation with this one. It comes in pot and stick form, both of which I’ve tried. I tend to like the stick form better since it’s less messy but both are just as effective. The magnesium and arrowroot powder take the place of any baking soda and keep me dry all day. Some days when I’m running around I’ll notice wetness creeping in but the odor remains at bay. It’s scented with grapefruit and other citrus oils. It’s a very light scent that’s a bit sweet and a bit sunny. Like I mentioned when posting about the regular formula deod from this brand, It comes in one size (1.8oz) that’s $14.00 + shipping.

Little Seed Farm Deodorant Cream: Activated Charcoal

Ok, I just have to say I LOVE this deod. Like I said I’ve rotated between all listed here but this one is my fave of the 3. It’s made from all natural and soothing butters and oils. The texture is so intriguing as it starts off pretty solid (so solid I wasn’t sure how I would get enough out of the pot but using a popsicle stick or something similar makes it easy to scoop out). Once you put a pea-sized amount on your skin it starts melting a bit and becomes very easy to rub in. Then, due to the arrowroot powder, it soaks in and is left as a dry cream feeling, so not greasy at all. I have only tried the Activated Charcoal scent and I picked it because activated charcoal is said to pull excess toxins from the skin so I though a little extra boost couldn’t hurt. Plus the gal working the stand at the market I picked this up at said it was her recommendation out of all of them. I’d have to agree with her (even though I haven’t tried the others ha). The scent is slightly minty with a hint of earthiness too- it’s fresh and light. Another note, the color of the deodorant is a greyish color and I was wondering if it would affect clothing but I can report that there is zero color affect on the pits of anything I’ve worn. Again, this only comes in pot form and is $11.99 + shipping. You’d think by looking at deodorant that comes in a pot that it wouldn’t last long but it lasted me quite awhile, maybe 3-4 months (?). If your curious to try out you can get a free sample here (just pay shipping!). I highly recommend this one!

Schmidt’s Sensitive Skin Deodorant Stick: Waves

It smells like a trip to the beach, and I CANNOT get enough of that. Take me there now! It’s a bit of tropical coconut, a bit of fresh sea salty air, and a bit like cool ocean water. Unfortunately, now that I’ve enticed you, I have to inform you that this was limited edition summer scent when I tried it and that’s no longer available in the sensitive formula, BUT it still is available in the regular formula deodorant here which I’ve tried and also like. The other scents available for the sensitive formula look really good though, especially the Sage + Vetiver one. This deodorant comes in stick form so has a super easy application, especially since the consistency is slightly softer and smoother than the typical pot deodorants. It’s made with all natural ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter and arrowroot powder and has no baking soda. The only downside is that they don’t list the specifics of what they use for each fragrance; it just says “natural fragrance” which according to their website means: “Our natural fragrances are a combination of pure essential oils or non-synthetic isolates, which are a combination of aromatic molecules distilled from natural plant materials. Our natural fragrances contain no carrier oils, artificial fragrances, parabens or phthalates.” So I trust it, even though it’s not as transparent of information as I normally like to have. This deodorant keeps me mostly dry and odor-free, but is admittedly is slightly less reliable than the other two on this list. I still like it though because of the ease of application, scent and it’s not irritating to the skin.  The sensitive formula only comes in stick form and is $10.99 (slightly more expensive than the normal formula Schmidts). An added bonus to this special edition scent is that 5% of all sales went to benefit the Portland chapter of Surfrider Foundation whose mission is to protect the ocean and it’s beaches from pollution and coastal degradation.

There you have it, how I keep my under arms under control with sensitive deods. How do you under arm?? Do share!