Deodorants
Not long after I’d made the sweeping cruelty-free change-outs in our home, my husband Seth announced to me that he was taking a trip to the local drugstore to get a new deodorant. The cruelty-free one I’d picked out wasn’t working too well for him. Admittedly, it wasn’t working too well for me either. OK, I said, let’s take a ride to the store together. So there we were, standing in the personal hygiene aisle, faced with towering shelves of deodorants to choose from. He picked up one and looked at the label… made by a company that tests on animals. No good. He picked up another… made by the same company. He put that one back and picked up another. Different company… but also tests on animals. You’ve got to be kidding me, he said. I think that’s when it hit him that sometimes finding cruelty-free alternatives can be tricky business: unfortunately, many of the everyday personal products — deodorants among them — are made by the same handful of mega-corporations, and they all still test on animals. Ah-ha! Mitchum is owned by Revlon. Revlon doesn’t test on animals. And Mitchum works well; I used their roll-on for a long time, back when I was spending many hours each week in the dance studio, where a good deodorant is a must.
These days, I’ve found that I really like Trader Joe’s Unscented Deodorant with Cotton — it’s aluminum-free and paraben-free. And, like most TJ’s products, it’s inexpensive. For a while, it was looking like the product had been discontinued; but it’s back on the shelf now, and I’m happy. However, during the time it went AWOL, I tried some other products that I would recommend. Some are available at the local Walgreens, but Whole Foods and Sunflower markets also are good places to purchase personal products such as these.
- Alba Deodorant Sticks
These come in Unscented (my preference), Lavender, and Tea Tree. Essential oils and baking soda make a good combination; also contains certified organic aloe vera, which is nice for those of us with sensitive skin. - Crystal Body Deodorant
Uses natural mineral salts; unscented, hypoallergenic, aluminum-free, and paraben-free. Best of all, no residue — perfect for when you’re wearing that little black dress! - Aubrey’s Organics, Calendula Blossom Natural Spray
Among its ingredients, cedarwood oil and rose oil. Certified by Leaping Bunny, vegan. There’s a men’s version of this deodorant by AO that uses pine oil. And if you prefer roll-on, AO has the “E Plus High C” deodorant just for you! - Nature’s Gate Deodorants
Whether the roll-on or the stick, Nature’s Gate offers natural deodorants comprised of herbs, botanicals, and a witch hazel-based formula. Available in Tea Tree & Cypress, Lavender & Aloe, and Asian Pear & Red Tea. I haven’t tried the Asian Pear yet, which sounds appealing… I’m adding that to my own ever-growing ”must try” list!
Food For Thought
I think we’re all familiar with the adage “you are what you eat.” Well, I’d like to add to this: you smell like what you eat. Don’t believe me? Just walk into a Bikram Yoga hot room sometime and take a whiff. P-U! Anyone who has made significant changes in her diet to go cruelty-free – reducing or eliminating the meat, the dairy, and all the processed foods — will attest to the fact that, when you eat cruelty-free, your perspiration doesn’t stink like it used to! Not that all of a sudden everything’s coming up roses, but you’ll definitely notice a change. So… cruelty-free foods + cruelty-free deodorant = a better-smelling you. And an appreciative person on the yoga mat next to you.
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I’m in the market for new deodorant. I was thinking about buying the Trader Joe’s stuff, but haven’t found a source indicating that it is cruelty-free, so I bought the Tom’s of Maine that was right next to it at TJ’s. Can you point me to a source, since you suggest that it is indeed not tested on animals?
Thanks for bringing up TJ’s. On the deodorant, there is their symbol that the product has not been tested on animals. A couple of years ago, I inquired at my local store and received a phone call from company headquarters — they’re really good about answering any questions you might have. (Btw, as far as Tom’s products are concerned, they are now owned by a company that tests on animals).
HATS OFF TO CRUELTY FREE PRODUCTS. I made the change months and months ago to buy only cruelty free products and what a weight lifted that i can help out the animals….. and NOT support the nasty companies that do that. In this day and age we DONT need to abuse animals that way. It amazes me how many companies still do that. I will NEVER buy any products that promote abuse to animals. There are so many great products that are cruelty free…..