Healthy Deodorant and Soap

[AnthroHeart]

Being inspired by the fluoride thread, I wanted some clarity on good soaps and deodorants to use. I am reaching the point of needing to purchase them soon.

Many deodorants/antipersperants work by clogging pores or contain aluminum or other stuff that can't be good for you.

I'd like to go all natural. I recently shaved my head, so I won't be needing shampoo for awhile. But good a shaving cream recommendation would also be appreciated.

With Love,

Gemini Wolf

[Eddie]

I use Ivory soap. Can't use any deodorants because they cause considerable skin irritation. I have very sensitive skin.

---

p.s. I shave in the shower, and have found that Ivory soap works better than any shaving cream.

[charlie2012]

I don't know in which countries they sell soap but Lush is quite good, they sell soaps and shampoos in bars, made out of organic stuff (they say). I'm guessing that soaps that come in bars don't need as many chemicals. My dad always uses regular soap when shaving, i used to use the nivea cream that came with my shaving machine, but i recently stopped shaving. Solved that problem, lol.

L/L!

[Questioner]

I'm glad for this healthy living thread. Not much to add right now except that I try to avoid perfumes & dyes as much as possible, despite most manufacturers of household stuff trying to cram a "fragrance" into just about everything.

[Lorna]

deodorant - you really don't need, honestly you really don't. i'm thankful for my mum training me out of thinking that such a thing is necessary when i was a teenager, the more you use antipersirants the harder your body has to work to perspire to release heat, your body will self regulate

soaps - most soaps are detergent based rather than true soaps - my friend's little boy is chronically sensitive to detergents (as a result of a bad vaccination reaction) and you would be astonished at how difficult it is to go detergent free. traditional soaps are detergent free, it's the SLS and SLES (sodium lauryl sulphate) surficants, that are the nasty things in toiletries. i toy with the idea of trying to go SLS free but it's in so many things... if you come across african black soap give it a try, it is really nice. traditional soaps i think can also be used as a shaving cream / foam substitute - try different things and see what you like

for laundry soap nuts, eco wash balls, soap flakes and soda crystals are the most natural / eco friendly way to wash clothes - and much cheaper than commercial detergents

[Peregrinus]

I've always felt the purpose of soap is to clean. A soap that is simply soap does the best. If I want lotion, I apply lotion. If I want a nice smell, I bath... One thing I have noticed about soap in the west vs. soap in the east (I'm talking about Asia as the far East) is how fast a bar disappears. In the west things are added to soap so it isn't pure soap anymore, so you use it faster, and so you buy more. In the east a single bar lasts three times as long.

I use a body deodorant, brand name Crystal. It contains no Aluminum Chlorohydrate like most brands do, and is all natural mineral salts. It says "For Men" on it, but it can of course be used by women too.

[Monica]

There are many excellent vegetable-oil-based soaps in health food stores. Some have artificial scents. The glycerin soaps are generally free of the lathering ingredients and, hence, don't lather as well as what you might be used to. There are many coconut butter, shea butter, goat's milk, etc. soaps that do lather very nicely, without the chemicals. I posted a thread about sprouts and soaps in Corkboard.

Here's an excellent article on deodorants:

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articl...rants.aspx

Evidently, according to Dr. Mercola, the crystal rock deodorants are much better but still not completely aluminum-free.

I use a stick deodorant from Young Living that works really well. The active ingredients are essential oils, which neutralize bacteria. I could just as easily use the essential oils directly, but I find that a bit more hassle. I know people who do that and it works great.

The strong acidic water from my ionizer also kills all bacteria. Some people carry a little spray bottle of the water with them and it works like a charm. The only thing is that it doesn't last very long so you have to re-apply every so often. I find that a hassle too, so I don't do it.

I don't like Young Living's soaps, though. They have totally pure ingredients, but they are very expensive and don't lather very well. But their oils are excellent and a little goes a long way. (I don't sell Young Living products so if you want to try them just do a search and find a distributor who can help you.)

If your diet is clean, your sweat won't be as strong. Seriously. My husband doesn't use deodorants at all and never smells, except maybe slightly after he works out intensely. But that's what showers are for. But wow, some of his students, who eat a lot of junk food, really smell strong even though they surely use the commercial deodorants. The contrast is amazing.

[Aaron]

My roommate's aunt makes homemade soap products with rainwater and sells them out of her farm in Wisconsin. They're totally natural and pure with nothing extra added at all.

http://shadylanefarmproducts.com/main/node/6

You can even buy them online and have them shipped to your house! My favorite is the "Prarie Sage" bar.

[walkabout]

Hi everyone,

Just want to mention Weleda makes a wonderful spray deordorant that is made from pure essential oils, sage, lavender, rosemary and thyme, along with locorice root. And it has no aluminum salts. It's very fresh feeling as well as effective. I got it from my local health food store.

[Peregrinus]

I saw when I was out today that Tom's of Maine is also in the deodorant game now.

[zenmaster]

I saw when I was out today that Tom's of Maine is also in the deodorant game now.

Tom's of Maine unscented "original care" deodorant stick. Smells good, works great, but provides maximum effectiveness for only ~10 hours of the day. Beware of their Calendula and Woodspice scents which reek.

No artificial or animal ingredients. No animal testing.

[fairyfarmgirl]

deodorant - you really don't need, honestly you really don't. i'm thankful for my mum training me out of thinking that such a thing is necessary when i was a teenager, the more you use antipersirants the harder your body has to work to perspire to release heat, your body will self regulate

soaps - most soaps are detergent based rather than true soaps - my friend's little boy is chronically sensitive to detergents (as a result of a bad vaccination reaction) and you would be astonished at how difficult it is to go detergent free. traditional soaps are detergent free, it's the SLS and SLES (sodium lauryl sulphate) surficants, that are the nasty things in toiletries. i toy with the idea of trying to go SLS free but it's in so many things... if you come across african black soap give it a try, it is really nice. traditional soaps i think can also be used as a shaving cream / foam substitute - try different things and see what you like

for laundry soap nuts, eco wash balls, soap flakes and soda crystals are the most natural / eco friendly way to wash clothes - and much cheaper than commercial detergents

For clothes cleaning and household cleaning--- baking soda and cider vinager work very well! Food cleans up good!

fairyfarmgirl

---

I just use my body lotion as deodorant. I find that when you groom the area under the arms that uhmmmm... the scent does not linger if you know what I mean. Hair takes on scents and it just stays there!

I use a coconut oil and essential oil blend that I make up myself in a handcreme dispensing bottle. It works great!

But for those that would like a little more convience... I have used Tom's of Maine in the past and liked it very much. There is also this aloe deoderant that I have used in the past but the name escapes me... Just read the labels--- anything that sounds like a chemical do not use...

elizabeth

Love--

fairyfarmgirl

[Peregrinus]

I just use my body lotion as deodorant. I find that when you groom the area under the arms that uhmmmm... the scent does not linger if you know what I mean. Hair takes on scents and it just stays there!

I like the sound of no using anything at all, but men sweat (perspire) 40% more than women. I am waiting to see if my change to lacto-ovo-vegetarianism is going to make a difference to my body odour. I think it has already, but have to wait for the warmer weather to tell for sure. It is now reaching just above 0c (32F) with temperatures all the way up to 7c (44F) up here on the warmest of days in the great white north, where btw, there is still lots of snow.

[fairyfarmgirl]

[quote='fairyfarmgirl' pid='12238' dateline='1268136240']

I just use my body lotion as deodorant. I find that when you groom the area under the arms that uhmmmm... the scent does not linger if you know what I mean. Hair takes on scents and it just stays there!

I like the sound of no using anything at all, but men sweat (perspire) 40% more than women. I am waiting to see if my change to lacto-ovo-vegetarianism is going to make a difference to my body odour. I think it has already, but have to wait for the warmer weather to tell for sure. It is now reaching just above 0c (32F) with temperatures all the way up to 7c (44F) up here on the warmest of days in the great white north, where By the way, there is still lots of snow.
[/quot

Body hair is designed trap scent... to the rest of the animal kingdom we are a "stinky" species. Grooming helps with this along with a scent to cover the scent of human.

I read an article in one of the magazines devoted to Health, and in this article the author spoke about eating only fruits and veggies and how he now smelled like strawberries when ever he worked out! So food and human scent are linked. As well as body hair coarseness.

What is needed for a deodorant to stick is scent and an affixadent to make the scent stick... Beeswax is great for this--- some herbal deodorants are simply a salve with a higher ratio of beeswax to infused oil and essential oils! LOL! You could cook up your own in about 20 minutes! LOL

If any are interested I will post the recipe.

--fairyfarmgirl

[Peregrinus]

I don't support beeswax or any of the products from that industry either :/ as I extend compassion to all of The One Creator's creatures that are used by farming factories for gross profit. No beeswax for me...

http://www.veganpeace.com/animal_cruelty/honey.htm

http://hubpages.com/hub/Why-Honey-REALLY-isnt-Vegan

http://prime.peta.org/2009/01/but-what-a...uelty-free

[fairyfarmgirl]

Beeswax from happy bees is an entirely differentthing. I wish you well. I 'supose anything could be thought of as offensive...

fairyfarmgirl

[Peregrinus]

I agree, but where does one find happy bees?

[Lorna]

I just use my body lotion as deodorant. I find that when you groom the area under the arms that uhmmmm... the scent does not linger if you know what I mean. Hair takes on scents and it just stays there!

I like the sound of no using anything at all, but men sweat (perspire) 40% more than women. I am waiting to see if my change to lacto-ovo-vegetarianism is going to make a difference to my body odour. I think it has already, but have to wait for the warmer weather to tell for sure. It is now reaching just above 0c (32F) with temperatures all the way up to 7c (44F) up here on the warmest of days in the great white north, where By the way, there is still lots of snow.

your change of diet almost certainly will make a difference, but give your body time to get used to going deodorant free too - it will take time for your body to adjust to not having to fight against anti perspirant if you've been using one for awhile

the hair thing for some reason never occurred to me - having alopecia has it's upsides, not something i have to bother about lol!

---

I agree, but where does one find happy bees?

as with all farming practices get to know your local, independent, small scale producers - there are many inspirational people working in food production that do so out real passion for their art and an impressive understanding of the complexities of the biosystems that they interact with - artisan food producers are rarely money driven

i know a couple of bee farmers personally - never in a million years would i consider what they do to be cruel so perhaps i'm a bit biased

[fairyfarmgirl]

I only purchase my beeswax from a local herbal store--- I know the beekeeper personally! He really loves his bees and the apple trees that they pollinate. --- and the timothy grass and wildflower meadows that surround the apples trees. He is an organic regional scale farmer... only producing enough for the immediate regional market.

Many Heath Food or Herbal Stores that service communities have such beeswax and honey and and honeycomb. Perhaps the local Cooperative Extension Office in your area would have the names of local and/or Bee hobbyist--- then you could go on a walk about and visit these places and see the beauty around the bees and their hives...

I also purchase the raw honey from a similar farm stand store for my husband--- raw local honey and goldenrod tincture is an amazing combination for seasonal allergies. Before my husband knew me he suffered greatly even though he was taking the maximum dose of allergy medicine.

I know many happy bees and hives. They live in the small well loved orchards and forests and at the edge of fairy type of peoples Gardens and overgrown yards-- who LOVE the EARTH and Culivate the LAND with LOVE. For it is LOVE that attracts the Bee...

Colony Collapse? Not in my garden... or those who I know.

Love--

fairyfarmgirl

[AnthroHeart]

I don't really use honey. I've settled on Stevia for the time being.

Fairyfarmgirl, it sounds like you have some awesome connections. I'll have to hunt here in San Antonio for some good organic producers.

Speaking of allergies, got anything for office dust? It seems every time I go into a building from the outside, within a few minutes I'm on a sneezing fit. Then I'm over it, and fine the rest of the day. Might be psychological though.

[AnthroHeart]

Is the Tom's of Maine good for when I bike ride into work? I don't sweat much at all on the 6 mile journey, though it's still cool in the mornings.

I didn't use any this morning as I'm wanting to get away from the pore-clogging chemicals.

I'll have to look for that brand, or similar other.

I just use my body lotion as deodorant. I find that when you groom the area under the arms that uhmmmm... the scent does not linger if you know what I mean. Hair takes on scents and it just stays there!

I use a coconut oil and essential oil blend that I make up myself in a handcreme dispensing bottle. It works great!

But for those that would like a little more convience... I have used Tom's of Maine in the past and liked it very much. There is also this aloe deoderant that I have used in the past but the name escapes me... Just read the labels--- anything that sounds like a chemical do not use...

elizabeth

Love--

fairyfarmgirl

---

My roommate's aunt makes homemade soap products with rainwater and sells them out of her farm in Wisconsin. They're totally natural and pure with nothing extra added at all.

http://shadylanefarmproducts.com/main/node/6

You can even buy them online and have them shipped to your house! My favorite is the "Prarie Sage" bar.

I'm on it. Thank you. I'll be trying a variety.

---

FairyFarmGirl,

What ratio of baking soda and cider vinager do you use for clothes?

Do you use anything specific for whites?

My mom does laundry so she's all set on commercial brands, but I'd like to move away from them. I do have some Borax as well I need to finish off.

[fairyfarmgirl]

Clothes Washing in automatic washing machine:
I use 1/2 cup of baking soda dissolved in the washing machine water. Then I add the clothes and about 1/8 cup of cider vinager... The baking soda I use for lightly soiled clothes--- for clothes with odor I add the cider vinager...

I also use a biodegradable dish soap to clean everything with. I have never had a problem with my whites--- except when a lone red sock or shirt gets put in the washer with the whites.

If using the biodegrable soup simply add 1/8 cup to each full load of clothes and wash on cold.

I use what ever I have on hand... baking soda and/or vinager or biodegrable soap.

Also, for ring around the collar and sleeves just saturate the stains with the soap and rub the fabric together and then wash in washing machine with the rest of the load. Comes out clean everytime.

I also wash everything with cold water in the washing machine.

I do still use an electric dryer as I have 3 kids and a husband and between them all I would have laundry perptually hanging in my house... So I use the dryer until we are able to buy a house and devote a room to being the drying room... LOL

For Washing dishes in a Automatic Diswasher:

Fill one of the automatic dispensers with baking soda, and in the other put 2 TBS of biodegradable dish soap. In the Jet Dry dispenser fill with Cider Vinager. Fill the dishwasher with dishes and run the cycle as usual.

For Cleaning surfaces:

Wet the surface and sprinkle baking soda over the surface to be cleaned. Squirt a little biodegradable soap on the surface and then using a scrubbie type of pad (can be any type that you use) simply scrub the surface. Wipe clean with damp cloth until all baking soda and soap is removed.

For a bath tub or sink simply rinse the baking soda and soap down the drain.

For toilet bowl squirt about 1 tsp of biodegradable soap in the toilet bowl and clean with the toilet bowl brush-- Flush toilet afterwards to reveal a clean toilet bowl.

Cleaning Floors:

Fill a spray bottle that has not been used with 1/4 full of cider vinager. Add water to fill to nearly the top. Put spray nozzle in the spray bottle. Sweep the floor or vaccum the floor to remove debris and dust bunnies etc. Then Spray the floor in small areas and mop with a clean mop or use an old towel When you have finished. Remove the cloth mop head and wash alone in the washing machine. This will keep your mop head clean--- I find moldy mops to be yucky! Bleck!

fairyfarmgirl

Chemical Cleaners are not necessary. Baking soda, cider vinager and a biodegradable soap works quite well.





--fairyfarmgirl

---

Tom's of Maine works quite well in all situations... it does not keep you from sweating--- it simply changes the odor.

fairyfarmgirl

[zenmaster]

Is the Tom's of Maine good for when I bike ride into work? I don't sweat much at all on the 6 mile journey, though it's still cool in the mornings.

I didn't use any this morning as I'm wanting to get away from the pore-clogging chemicals.

I'll have to look for that brand, or similar other.

It's better than nothing for that bike ride! The "Original Care", unscented lasts me a good 10 hours. That is, if I'm not perspiring much during the day. Cut that in half if you're active. Tom's also have a "Long-Lasting Care" version, with zinc and other stuff added, that is supposed to last 12 hours. Also, there is a "Sensitive Care" version (if you are a wimp).

For me it works because I:
tend not to sweat much and don't need an antiperspirant
don't want an overpowering, masking scent
don't want dyes, harsh or toxic chemicals.

Basically, it doesn't contain chemicals that block sweat glands, but it does inhibit bacteria growth and has, in the "unscented" version, a light natural scent. Plus chicks dig it.(So I got that goin' for me, which is nice)

Back when I was looking for a more "natural" deodorant, I was surprised to find very few comparable choices. Conveniently, my local Publix stocks it.

[Peregrinus]

A little cider vinegar also goes well in tea, good for the blood