Posted in Health | Sunday, June 20th, 2010
You should have SEEN Sexy’s face when I brought home two sticks of “Crystal” deodorant. He looked at me like I had three heads. “I don’t think that’s going to work for me”. He was nice about it though. I asked him to just try it out for the purposes of this post. Reluctantly he took it and used it.
He’s been happy with it ever since.
In a my post What’s the Deal With Aluminum? I talked about the dangers of aluminum chloride in deodorants and anti-perspirants, and I was curious to see if the salt crystal version actually worked. So here’s a review…
Crystal Body Deodorant Crystal Stick For Men $4.20
Ingredients: Mineral Salts (Natural), Ammonium Alum
Product Description: Safe for the Environment
- Hypoallergenic
- Eliminates Odor
- Lasts Over One Year
- For Men & Women
- Unscented, Non-Staining
- Can Be Used On Underarms and Feet
- 100% Natural Mineral Salts.
Natural Deodorant Protection
Crystal Stick™ Body Deodorant is made of natural mineral salts and is completely free of perfumes and chemicals. It eliminates body odor. Crystal Stick™ will leave an invisible protective barrier against odor-causing bacteria on your skin. It is unscented, hypoallergenic, non-sticky and non-staining. Crystal Stick™ is guaranteed to last over a year of daily use.
What it is…
The Ammonium Alum listed in the ingredients is NOT the aluminum chloride found in anti-perspirants that has been known to lead to Parkinson’s disease.* And it is NOT contain the ammonia that your grandmother used to clean the bathroom with. (Ick!) Ammonium Alum is a white crystalline double sulfate of aluminum. From what I’ve found it is safe to use. Alum-based deodorants work through bacteriostatic action, which means they inhibit bacterial growth while allowing the elimination of toxins without clogging pores.
How to use it…
The Crystal must be wet itself before applying or the skin of the underarm needs to be wet. Not damp, WET. He told me that he didn’t really think he was applying it properly at first, because it doesn’t leave a film or cream behind so it’s a little disconcerting at first.
Results…
Sexy said he as surprised but it lasted all day without re-applying. And he didn’t smell one bit. (I can personally attest to that one). He does re-apply after working out and taking a shower, (but he did that anyway with the other deodorant he used to use).
As always. This product is available in the Savvy Shop.
RATING*: 5 Savvy! - Great product, good ingredients, great price, long-lasting, will buy again!
*Savvy Ratings: 5=Savvy 4=Smart 3=Suitable 2=Satisfactory 1=Stupid
Resources:
http://tryingtobegreener.wordpress.com/2008/08/19/how-safe-is-your-deodorant/
http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com
http://www.thefword.org.uk/reviews/2004/03/natural_deodora
About Savvy Brown
I believe being healthy doesn't have to be complicated, being green can be easy and being broke isn't an option!
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I recently purchased this deodorant and it works wonderfully. If you remember I made a few batches from coconut oil and baking soda, with less than stellar results.
I’ve been using the spray version of this Crystal deodorant for 3 years– and it’s the best I’ve come across! HGHG
Hi Sister Boyd,
I was going to make the deodorant with the cornstarch, baking soda and coconut oil from one of your prior posts. Are you saying that it didn’t work well for you?
Thanks
Tara
The first few weeks it did, but then I got this horrible rash that was ugly and painful. The pain has gone, but the discoloration is still there. Its fading rather slowly.
I made another batch minus the baking soda and cornstarch, with coconut oil, shea butter, and lemon juice. It works better, but I can’t depend on it to keep my totally fresh all day.
So far the crystal is working great and I can even us my coconut and shea butter on alternating days and I smell good. Actually, I’m on an alternating day now and its really hot in the LA and I’m fresh!
@SisterBoyd Ouch! Are you allergic to coconut?
How do you deal with wetness when using one of these natural deodorants in place of an antiperspirant? My husband sweats like he has faucets under his arms.
I tried the baking soda, cornstarch, and coconut oil too. It did well with odor but it cave me and my husband rashes. I made another batch with less baking soda and it still made me rash.
Before finding out about the crystal I found a Tom’s of Maine brand in Walmart with salt crystals but It doesn’t really work well. Sometimes I may not get must but I’ll still get funk and that’s always with a shower. I’ve tried the crystal stick recently and that’s now working either. I don’t know what to do next.
@Lovelyrett OMG I’m so sorry! I haven’t tried making my own yet. It sounds like you may have an allergy. The Tom’s of Maine didn’t really work well for me either, although, they do have an aluminum-free regular deodorant in Tea Tree Oil which worked pretty well. There’s several factors to the funk. One is diet. Sexy and I are both vegetarians, so that smell that sometimes occurs from eating alot of meat doesn’t happen for us. BUT I admit that sometimes, (especially when I work out), funk happens. So I supplement my salt crystal deodorant with rubbing alcohol.
Here’s what I do: I take a cotton ball (or my fingers if I’m in a hurry) and wet it with rubbing alcolhol and apply it to my dry underarms after a shower. Then , I wet the salt crystal (this is important) and apply a few swipes. That usually keeps me funk-free all day. There is also another natural cream deodorant called “Funk Butter” made by Oyin Handmade that you can try. You can find it (Please let me know if you’ve tried this cuz I haven’t yet)
Just seeing this post but I thinkit is perfect timing as the weather warms up and bodies get ..well funkier.
I have been using Crystal deodarants since the mid 90′s because other deodarants make me a little stinky in the summer.
However, when I’m feeling Im still not at optimal fresh levels with the Crystal’s here is what I do and what I suggest. Fresh out the shower, while still wet, take a hot rag and douse it with alcohol (if your skin is super sentative you can use wich hazel. I prefer alcohol). Rub the rag all over your body paying special attention to underarms, neck, back and feet. You should see plenty of yucky residue left over from sweat, oils, dead skin etc on the rag. Its the same as when you use a toner to cleanse your face. The rest of your body needs it too.
As to the homemade deodarant… Has anyone considered removing the lemon juice? The acid is eating your skin daily and then baking soda really is pouring salt into your wound. Yikes! Sister I think you may have literally burnt yourself. Good luck
Loved the post, I’m a fellow blogger looking to become greener/healthier ona budget. I came across the mineral sticks from reading ‘Confessions of an Eco Shopper’ by Kate Lock and I’ve been able to make a few steps every week or so. This stick works great- and that’s amazing considering I have a phobia about being that one smelly person on the elevator! Keep writing & I hope to see you visit my site sometime. -liz
@Liz Hi Liz! *waving* Thank so much for visiting my little log! Just curious, what brand of mineral stick do you use? (I have checked out your lovely blog as well. Good luck with the planting!)
@K YES! I’ve used the alcohol method before as well. In fact, I really like dropping those alcohol wipes that come in First-Aid Kits in my purse, in case I forget to use deodorant or have had an extra-sweaty workout that day.
just wet the stick with water ?
as simple as that ? but after rubbing the underarm , the stick as well as the underarm bcme dry . do we need to wet the stick again ?
@miss85 That’s right. They both dry off. You need to wet the stick every time you use it.