gerv 

For some reason, I end up do a lot of travelling by bike and always carry an over-sized deodorant stick with me (I shop at Sam's Club...). The stick I currently have cakes up ferociously and leaves me feeling like I have applied cement to my armpits.

Also, lately, I've been trying to reduce some of the bulk with more lightweight.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a home-made version that I could fit in a small jar. I currently carry a small jar of bag balm (previously lip balm) and find the compact size and light weight is much better than a heavy stick.

Any suggestions?

xtrajack

I use a natural deodorant stone, it is small, works well, I go through about one a year.

AdamDZ

I use Axe, after applying spread it and rub it in with your fingers, it never cakes. Nivea makes one tha's roll-on, liquid.

Tunnelrat81

I use the same. They have "demo" sized ones that are very small and will last a surprisingly long time. It's the cleanest deodorant I've ever used...it's like not wearing anything which I like. However, you'll have to test it out and keep a nose to things for a while until you know it's working properly. I sometimes wonder, but so far I think it's good, and my wife assures me that it's working. =)

-Jeremy

gbcb

I use whatever I can find, usually bought in bulk when traveling overseas. Almost impossible to find good deodorant/antiperspirant here, especially in the winter. No particular brand loyalty, but I've had good luck with Speed Stick, Arm & Hammer, Right Guard, Gillette -- some sticks, some gels. Never a caking issue with those. Nivea liquid roll-on stuff is OK when I can't find anything else.

gbcb

First time I've heard of this. Where do you get yours?

MVclyde

I use trial size antiperspirant. They're about 1/4 the size of ordinary antiperspirant stick. I go through probably 3 or 4 a year.

Jim from Boston

Deodorant alternatives

I use 91% isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol available at any pharmacy. It's an effective antibacterial, used for example when cleaning the skin to draw blood; dries immediately and leaves no scent; and refreshingly cools because it evaporates quickly. You can carry a small amount as needed for any trip and just apply it with a cloth or paper towel. There are ladies at my job who would let me know if it didn't work, and I've not had any complaints in years.

I thought of that use because I have for a long time applied rubbing alcohol after a shower to further cleanse "down there" to prevent saddle sores, so there's another reason to bring it along.

imi

here's a different spin on reducing your body odor: https://www.naturalnews.com/004417.html

xtrajack

Mine came from a local health food store...
I did a Google search... found plenty of sources.

AdamDZ

Similarly, hand sanitizers seem to have the same effect since they're antibacterial. Alcohol would be too harsh for me.

A.

Bachman

I use Thai Crystal spray. It's along the same lines as the deodorant stone, except it's dissolved in water. 5 sprays under each arm and I am good for the entire day. And since it's liquid, I imagine you could put it in any smaller container that you wanted.

Shimagnolo

https://www.thecrystal.com/

aggiegrads

I strongly recommend "Arrid Deodorant Cream." It comes in a small jar and you spread it on with your fingers. I had problems with regular deodorants and started looking for alternatives. I tried the natural versions - Tom's and various alum-based (crystal/rock) alternatives. They were all very ineffective for me.

The Arrid cream does not cake or flake, does not contain alcohol, and is extremely effective for me, and trust me, I need a strong deodorant. I have had to irritation or itching. I almost felt feminine using it (it has a baby-power type smell) but trust me, it has some muscle. Give it a week to get used to it.

The nice thing about the cream is that it can easily be transferred to other containers. I travel a lot, and I have a very small makeup container that I use for overnights and a smaller squeeze jar that I use for multi-week trips. It comes in a small jar packaged in a square box:

Arrid Deodorant Cream at Walgreen's

spinninwheels

Interesting article.

I am pescetarian (fish). I haven't really used deodorant in years, other the crystal that has been mentioned. But that has usually been in the summer only.

I found one of the best things that I did to reduce odour, was to stop wearing tech fabrics and switch to wool. I know that it's difficult to wear wool in the summer, but it helped dramatically. If I would still wear tech jerseys, I made sure that I added borax to my laundry detergent when washing. That helped reduce the stench that seems to linger in these types of fabrics.

Hope this helps.

Grishnak

Have you tried an Alum block?,like the barber uses after a "Proper"wet shave.Use it like an anti perspirant in those areas.It has no scent,just kills the bacteria that make you whiffy.Its like a little stone,lasts ages unless you drop it and it shatters.Stops razor burn too.

travelmama

Certainly, a change in the diet and more water consumption is always a surefire way to rid the body of odors but if that is not an option, shave your pits. Many women like myself, do it often enough so they need not wear any funk killer. The crystal rock/stick is good but the best funk killer on the market is Certain Dry (formerly known as Certi-Dri). https://www.certaindri.com/Pages/CD_Home

Dr. Banzai

I couldn't wear deodorant for years. It really bothered my skin. I used Tom's Natural for a long time until someone politely said to me "dude, it just aint cutting it".

4 or 5 swipes of regular non-scented deodorant is the trick for me. I can shower twice a day with 4 quick wicks. Up, down, up down. Done. Any more and it's stingray city. i also have reduced the amount of protruding hair. I'm not shaving there, just trimming.

travelmama

Reading that and looking at your avatar is a combination for a good laugh.

coldfeet

Me too, very good at stopping funk, my synthetic clothes don't pick any lingering odor, nor does it cause any white marks, I've ruined more shirts that way...

I'm finding it a lot easier to find now, at least two major chains carry it around here.

gerv 

Great article! I actually use very little deodorant and have only started carrying for those days when I shower at home, ride in, but don't shower again at work. I rarely use deodorant outside the workplace.

Do I need deodorant at all?

zeppinger

I don't wear deodorant. I used to wear in highschool but found out I don't really need it. If you take a shower everyday in the summer chances are you don't need the stuff. My sweat just does not get that smelly within 24 hours. If I go more than 48 hours no shower I might be tempted to put some on for the day but....

I use this stuff when I am on tour and wont have a shower for longer than a few days. Just like the author write, you can take a shower with it and then swirl it under your pits (or other places that might smell) and leave it there. When you start to sweat your pits will just smell like the soap!

https://www.rivbike.com/products/show...ar-soap/25-001

imi

"natural deodorant" is an oxymoron

Nachoman

I sort of have the same problem. My underarms get a rash with regular deodorant. I have to use weird natural deodorants sold at health food stores. Sometimes they smell worse than B.O. But I basically eliminated underarm odor by shaving the pits.

zeppinger

I couldn't imagine shaving my pits! I hate shaving my face let alone under my arms.