Going Green Isn’t the Pits
Curiously Green is an exclusive weekly Earth 911 series showcasing the adventures of a couple going green. This week Sheila and Gary, a couple from Phoenix, Arizona share their experience buying environmentally-friendly deodorant.
Sheila Bocchine is a pinhole photographer and Gary Millard is a Phoenix photographer.
SHE SAYS: WOW! Never have I had so much trouble with any one product before. Deodorant is something I wear daily and was excited to try an all-natural version.
I have tried many deodorants in my life and kept going back to Secret. Although I was never drawn to Secret based on its advertisements or print ads it was the one that seemed to work the best with my body.
This summer I had a very long and painful experience trying new deodorants. The first deodorant I tried was Kiss My Face in Lavender. Within one week I had to stop using it. My armpits were burning all day long and the pimply rash I got was disgusting. I was so uncomfortable I had to stop using it immediately.
I love Kiss My Face products; I’ve been using them for years. I LOVE the body lotions, shampoo and conditioners, lip balms. . . I’ve tried many products in different flavors and have always been happy with them. BUT I will never buy Kiss My Face deodorant again.
The next one I tried was Tom’s of Maine deodorant in Apricot, which smelled absolutely amazing. Determined to find a natural product that really worked, I forced myself to keep using this product in lieu of the rash I was getting and the stinging sensation (not as bad as the Kiss My Face product).
When my armpits turned black and the skin was flaking off I knew I had to stop using this product. I am not even exaggerating, my armpits were turning black and the skin was literally just falling off. It was so gross.
I had to stop using deodorant for about two weeks so my armpits could recover. It’s been more than a month since I stopped using all-natural deodorants and my armpits are still not in pristine shape. I’m not sure what it was, but I must have been allergic to one of the ingredients.
I am skeptical to try another all-natural deodorant and think I will stick to Secret for a long, long time.
HE SAYS: After all of Sheila’s painful deodorant experiences this is one I have decided to sit out. I cling to my Old Spice Stick in the old school cylinder form. The same one that I have been using since I was in high school.
The one thing that I have done through the years was to not put a lot on, and sometimes not even use it. The only problem with that is that I live in Arizona, and sweat copious amounts in the summer time.
Coupled with the fact that I am a distant runner, I can sweat ridiculous amounts in short periods of time. More that once Sheila has told me I stink like BO, and I tell her that I am doing my part, going green so I don’t have to throw away so many deodorant sticks.
When I was growing up I had a uncle that claimed that deodorant caused cancer and never wore deodorant. This kind of made sense because you have a high concentration of lymph nodes in your arm pits and you’re coating them with chemicals that were only tested on animals.
Besides, there is a reason that you’re sweating, so I always stayed away from deodorants that claimed to be anti-perspirants. Perspiring is a natural act. It’s part of our natural cooling process and when you shut that off there could be negative ramifications.
Sheila had some painful looking rashes and pimples that popped up in her arm pits. They didn’t really hurt me, but they were really irritating to my ears, having to listen to all the drama concerning her deodorant pain.
On a side note, deodorant containers are another product much like toothpaste containers that do not have a recycling emblem on them, and are probably not being recycled. This is an opportunity for someone. . .
Sheila Bocchine and Gary Millard are both Phoenix photographers.
rebeccadboger
posted on September 19th, 2007 at 2:38 pm
My roommate and I recently switched to natural deodorant. We both chose Tom’s Lavendar. While I was fine, she had the same experience Sheila had. She wanted to continue using natural deodorant, though, and switched to another brand, which only caused the same problems. After talking to various people, she learned about deodorant crystals. Basically it’s salt and other ingredients that you wet, rub on, and lasts all day to kill odor. She hasn’t had any problems with this kind, and we’ve actually found that it works better to stop odor than Tom’s.
sheilabocchine
posted on September 20th, 2007 at 10:28 am
Wow! Thanks. I will definitely look into these crystals. My deodorant is one of the only non natural products I’m currently using. I would love to find one that works with my body.
suzanne
posted on September 20th, 2007 at 2:35 pm
I am surprised to hear about your negative experience with Tom’s of Maine deodorant. I have been using their unscented version for several years, with no irritation of any kind. And I have pretty darn sensitive skin. Maybe it’s the scent that is the source of trouble? You might try the unscented before you give up entirely.
Just a thought.
sheilabocchine
posted on October 15th, 2007 at 2:42 pm
Good point Suzanne. It could just be the scent. I definitely want to find an all natural deodorant. I’m about ready for a new stick. I’ll keep everyone updated!
greenisgood
posted on October 26th, 2007 at 10:38 am
The recyclying number 5, is found on the inside of the cap for Right Guard but not on Tom’s. Finding all-natural deos is a problem. Having tried many that either do not stop odor or cause a rash is frustrating. Just when I thought I was safe, Tom’s gave me a rash after I was almost finished my second stick…That was really a sad day. I’ll keep looking, but for now will try to limit my use of the common variety by not using too much, too frequently, and going al-natural when appropriate.