MY EXPERIENCE TRYING NATURAL CRYSTAL DEODORANTS
It's been nearly 2 years since I switched to only buying cruelty free makeup and beauty products. It was an interesting transition, some days it was fun researching and finding new products that I could use. Other days it was frustrating and I just wanted to buy my long term easy-to-find favourite products. I didn't throw anything out when I decided to make the change, I just decided that when things ran out or went off, I would only purchase cruelty free when replacing them. By now, I think everything I use has been replaced, except for a couple of MAC eye shadows that are still have knocking around my makeup drawer.
However, there has always been one dark shadow lurking in my cupboard. One shameful secret product that I couldn't let go off. Antiperspirant. And I'm talking about the strong stuff. Despite committing to using only cruelty-free items and attempting to use more natural products, I just couldn't image not use antiperspirant. But at the same time, it didn't feel right to me. I know that a lot people have discredited the idea that it's linked to breast cancer, but I can see how applying chemicals everyday that block your sweat glands probably isn't the best idea. I don't have an issue using chemicals if they're necessary, but if there's an alternative, I am definitely going to use it.
But still, moving away from antiperspirant seemed like a difficult task because I sweat. A lot. And I felt like I needed antiperspirant. I just didn't see how natural deodorant was ever going to be enough for me. But the more I read and thought about it, I realised I at least had to give it a go. The trouble is, people report less perspiration and body odor after using natural deodorants for an extended period of time. They say it took a few weeks to get the antiperspirant out of their systems to begin with before the natural deodorant really started working for them. Hmmm. If I was going to try it, I was going to have to commit.
So that's what I've been doing for the last few weeks. I did a bit of research and decided to try crystal deodorants. I'm usually into alternative things like this, but even this idea seemed a bit crazy. But the reviews were good and I was intrigued so I figured, why not? I started with the basic plain crystal from Thai crystals. It's literally just a smooth crystal that you wet and rub over your armpits. I do like the crystal but it is a little annoying to have to wet it everytime. I decided that while I was liking the basic crystal, I was still getting a bit smelly by the afternoon and needed something I could top up with more easily than having to wash my armpits and reapply the crystal.
So I found the Lavender and White Tea Crystal Towelettes. While I wasn't trilled about the fact that they created more waste, I liked that they had a scent, which would make me feel less self-conscious about my B.O. I also liked that I could throw them into my handbag and take them with me. I actually loved the scent so much that I also bought the roll-on version of it at Walgreens. This feels like a more traditional deodorant, just a bit more watery than a regular roll-on. Though I have found that while it smells great when you first put it on, if you use it throughout the day to top up and try to cover up the smell of B.O., it creeps back in after a short period of time.
Still so far I haven't found the experience as difficult as I thought I would. I definitely feel more sweaty sometimes and I'm very self-conscious that I smell. I also have to wash my tops more often. But honestly I haven't missed antiperspirant that much. I've found that I'm adjusting to it. It's still a journey but I haven't quit yet, and when I started I really wasn't sure how long I would last. Let's see if I can make it through the summer....