[whitecrow]

Since I make so many of my own personal-care and cleaning products, I've experimented with natural deodorants for years. The crystal does not work for me because I have a skin reaction to that substance, alum. I've found that a little tea tree oil in the pits after the shower works as well as anything. The smell doesn't linger, and sometimes I add a little lavender and patchouli, or cypress and rosemary oils.

Since I've brought up using essential oils, I have to mention that most essential oils are NOT safe to use directly on the skin! Tea tree and lavender are two that are, for MOST people. Always test a small patch of skin, and just because you don't get a reaction does NOT mean it's safe to smear the stuff all over your body. Lavender and tea tree are however, very safe. Other oils should be diluted in a carrier oil. Some, like the citrus oils, evergreens like cypress and juniper, and cinnamon, are notorious for reactions. These I use by the drop in a blend if it's going on my skin.

Aluminum is a toxic metal that should NEVER be used in personal care products or in the kitchen. It is used in antiperspirants - not deodorants - because it shuts down the sweat glands where it is applied, thus disabling one of the body's vital processes, cooling and secreting pheromones through perspiration.

We're so obsessed with body odor that people even buy specialized deodorants and scents for their "personal" areas....give me a break. It's good to be clean...but there's a lot to be said for pheromones. Personally, I can't stand synthetic perfumes, and we're surrounded by far too many of them. I can instantly tell a synthetic scent from a natural one.

I say bathe often, and use natural oils for odor control. By the way, one of my best-selling soaps is made with activated charcoal, and is dandy for armpits and stinky feet as well as everything else.