Living Plastic-Free: DEODORANT

Thanks for this information. I am looking forward to seeing all the products you try out. I really appreciate all the product detail!

you have really inspired me to go plastic free, too. I am marching down to lush today to buy my new deodorant. I am going to bring my many cloth bags shopping with me. And I am going to really think twice about buying something if it has plastic in or around it. i will also keep you posted with my progress.

Letter to Dove       

From EnviroWoman: To the good folks at Dove. Your Campaign for Real Beauty was great. Good enough, that when The Body Shop stopped producing its awesome deodorant (which I had been loyal to for years) I thought 'here's an opportunity for me to give Dove some of my business'. I tried your Dove Ultimate Clear Cool Essentials Antiperspirant and it definitely did the trick. Smelled good too.

Today, my Dove deodorant decided to commit suicide by leaping out of my hands and hurling itself towards the bathroom linoleum at warp speed. It met its demise.

Normally, I'd buy more of any product I was happy with. But in 2007, to reduce my environmental footprint, I've made a New Year's resolution not to purchase any products that are made of plastic or are packaged in plastic. So, my relationship with Dove deodorant has come to an end.

You've lost me to LUSH, who produces not only a plastic-free deodorant but also one that is cruelty-free with minimal paper packaging.

Today the cause du jour is global warming (as it should be) but it's just one symptom of mankind's disregard for the planet and of our irresponsible consumption and production. We have no right to pollute our planet with garbage that does not biodegrade.

Consumer demand is a powerful force. This consumer demands earth-friendly, cruelty-free products. Please let me know your progress on these fronts.

DOVES Response: Thanks so much for writing!

We do apologize for your frustration with our packaging. The packaging staff designs the packages and containers to meet needs of both the product and the consumer for safety and convenience.

Packages are regularly reevaluated, based on consumer commentary and preferences as well as business considerations. We will certainly report your comments to the packaging staff. It is possible that the container for that product will change at some time in the future.

Thank you for your interest!

Your friends at Dove

OK. I went to Lush today and bought my deodorant. I bought a creme kind and it comes in a plastic container. So I spent another $5 and bought  a metal container instead. I figure I can keep reusing it over and over. It felt really good to say outloud that I am trying to avoid plastics and to have them help me meet the goal. The lady was impressed and seemed somewhat inspired. So, EnviroWoman: there is a ripple effect to your resolutions! 

I also passed by a fancy chocolate place and really wanted to buy you some chocolates! Ok I would have eaten them, too.

Thanks for the inspiration - I am really paying attention to my plastic consumption and it feels great. 

Keep me posted      

Kate, let us know how your LUSH purchase works for you. So far, I'm a bit disappointed in my Teo. Afterall, it's only a deodorant, and not an antiperspirant. But both are required in civilized culture.  

So I went back to LUSH to see if they had anything more effective. LUSHGirl said 'we think sweating is good for you' (that's marketing-speak for 'we know this product fails to deliver on this point'). Anyhoo...they indicated the product you bought was better for people who tended to sweat (Um, don't we all?).

So please,  let us know how it performs, or if I should continue my quest for plastic-free deodorant....no, no, I mean plastic-free deodorant/antiperspirant.

Plastic free. Cruelty Free. Vegetarian. Chocoholic

Hi! I just found your site today, and I'm loving it! I'm taking steps (different than yours, but still positive) to reduce my family's consumption this year, too. Come visit me at my blog sometime.

Anyway, I just wanted to share with you that I've been using plain old baking soda for deodorant. Once you get past thinking that "moist" armpits equal "smelly" armpits, you'll be fine.

The reason your Lush deodorant doesn't make you drier is that it probably eschews the aluminum found in antiperspirants... and that is the main ingredient that keeps you from sweating.

Hi there, thanks for the information. I too am frustrated by the excessive amount of plastic packaging around these days. If you are looking for plastic package free deodorant I believe Neals Yard Remedies might match up. Their stuff comes in refillable glass pump bottles (yes, there is a LITTLE bit of plastic in the pump mechanism but it IS refillable). Anyway - you might want to google them and see what you think.

hi ... just joined the community, pretty fabulous so far!

I recently just gave up deodorant ENTIRELY!! No need to find a substitute, just gave it up ... no packaging or ingredients required! I found that what I put in my body (my diet) has a direct effect (helps me make better choices all around). I find that using soap washes away helpful bacteria causing me to have more intense and more frequent body-odor, water works just as well and allows body-odor to stabilize. My nose enjoys natural smells far better than chemical smells.

Probably a big stretch for some but if we are really looking to change everything then we need to be willing to look at all of the "systems" we've bought into. i used to be a daily hair-washer, now about once a week does it and my hair is so much healthier!

welcome!

Hey bc_sunflower

Wow, how brave to give up BO-stopper entirely. How do other people react?

It definitely would be a big stretch for me. Being a CorporateCanadaGal and all. Gotta admit, trying non-plastic deodorants which didn't work for me sent me scurrying for a plastic-based option, rather than just saying 'frell-it let's go au-naturelle.'

I've also tried to wash body and hair less frequently to save water. But my hair just feels too greasy on day 2. However, with this new LUSH shampoo and conditioner I'm using, I'll admit it is less of an issue. I wonder if it has something to do with length of hair too - super short or super long hair taking less frequent hair washing better then medium length hair.

I echo Kate's comment - welcome to changeeverything. We are glad to have you.

Plastic free. Cruelty free. Vegetarian. Chocoholic

Check out the http://www.thecrystal.com/index.cfm or similar. You can simply buy crystal rocks of various sizes. And they can last a year if not more depending on how frequently you use it. I bought my one and only while in Australia a decade ago - I'm one of the lucky ones, I don't have to use deodorant much. My husband who can stink the moment he walks out of a fresh shower, tried it and he testifies it works. You won't support a multi-national corporation to boot when you buy this - at least I don't think they bought out the co. above.

i've found that using corn starch based baby powder (instead of the talc kind) is better than any deodorant i've tried . . . to avoid buying it in a plastic container, you can make your own by blending corn starch with a little baking soda and a few drops of an essential oil you like . . . tea tree oil is great, i've found. it might be a little messier to apply than your average stick deodorant, but as someone who has tried every commercial brand, natural brand, crystals, etc, i can honestly say i'm much happier with powder.

Having read all the comments on deodorants/antiperpirants by far the best I have tried and tested is good old bicarbonate of soda. Either put it on dry or mix with a little water and smear on. I use my crystal deodorant as a roller and roll it on. I'd be interested to hear if anyone else finds it as good as I have. Depending upon the brand, it can be quite coarse on your delicate underarms when applied but I found a brand that suits me fine.

Good luck with the no-plastic life. I have not used a supermarket plastic bag for over 12 years now and it's so easy, you just need to be a bit more prepared for shopping than you were before.

All the best, Robidybob