Deodorant alternatives
09-20-10 | 05:12 AM
#26
Bike addict, dreamer
Joined: Nov 2009
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From: Queens, New York
09-20-10 | 05:08 PM
#27
Papaya King
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Columbus, Ohio (Grandview area)
Bikes: 2009 Felt X City D, 1985 (?) Trek 400, 1995 (?) Specialized Rockhopper, 1995 Trek 850
Well, you guys just talked me into ordering a deodorant stone (Crystal brand, from Amazon). I had never heard of such a thing, but if it works, I'm in. Hopefully no more chemicals for me, and no more staining my shirts. I'll let you know how it works out.
Last edited by waynesworld; 09-20-10 at 05:08 PM. Reason: correcting a typo
09-25-10 | 12:04 PM
#28
Senior Member
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Don't misunderstand, you still sweat, and if you try later in the day, you'll smell the sweat, but it won't be B.O. as that is caused by skin bacteria, and the stone will stop that growing. There is a lot of research that says clean human sweat is attractive to the opposite sex, the B.O. less so..
Please let us know what you think.
09-25-10 | 01:18 PM
#29
Papaya King
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,640
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From: Columbus, Ohio (Grandview area)
Bikes: 2009 Felt X City D, 1985 (?) Trek 400, 1995 (?) Specialized Rockhopper, 1995 Trek 850
I hope you have the same success I did. Just wash the pits as usual, then apply the stick as soon as you get out of the shower, and let it dry on while you're drying the rest, brushing teeth etc.
Don't misunderstand, you still sweat, and if you try later in the day, you'll smell the sweat, but it won't be B.O. as that is caused by skin bacteria, and the stone will stop that growing. There is a lot of research that says clean human sweat is attractive to the opposite sex, the B.O. less so..
Please let us know what you think.
Don't misunderstand, you still sweat, and if you try later in the day, you'll smell the sweat, but it won't be B.O. as that is caused by skin bacteria, and the stone will stop that growing. There is a lot of research that says clean human sweat is attractive to the opposite sex, the B.O. less so..
Please let us know what you think.
09-26-10 | 09:03 PM
#30
It's got electrolytes!
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I haven't used "deodorant" in years. Instead I use anti diaper rash baby powder, such as Caldesene, which is a mix of zinc oxide (which is antibacterial) power and talcum powder which promotes dryness (as does corn starch except bacterial feed on corn starch).
It works much better than anything I've tried which is marketed as deodorant (even the natural stuff which typically includes zinc oxide) and it's much more amenable to using on the whole body than that slimy stuff they sell as deodorant in the stores.
It works much better than anything I've tried which is marketed as deodorant (even the natural stuff which typically includes zinc oxide) and it's much more amenable to using on the whole body than that slimy stuff they sell as deodorant in the stores.
09-27-10 | 12:29 PM
#31
Bike ≠ Car ≠ Ped.
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Washington, DC
Bikes: Some bikes. Hell, they're all the same, ain't they?
here's a different spin on reducing your body odor: https://www.naturalnews.com/004417.html
So, yeah, you begin to smell like what you eat. Eat a lot of Korean food and you begin to smell a little kimchi-y (like my Korean fiancée).
09-27-10 | 12:33 PM
#32
Bike ≠ Car ≠ Ped.
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Washington, DC
Bikes: Some bikes. Hell, they're all the same, ain't they?
And, FWIW, I stopped using deodorant on the advice of my younger, then-vega-hippie sister. After a while, and after realizing that I wasn't ruining my shirts any more, I started asking friends if I smelled bad. "No, you just smell kinda soapy, if anything," was one answer. I figure the daily shower really helps.
09-27-10 | 01:08 PM
#33
aka Timi
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From: Gothenburg, Sweden
Bikes: Bianchi Lupo & Bianchi Volpe Disc: touring. Bianchi Volpe: commuting
hihi 
09-27-10 | 10:14 PM
#34
Thread Starter
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From: Des Moines
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09-27-10 | 10:35 PM
#35
Single-serving poster
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From: Toronto, Canada
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.
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.
09-28-10 | 03:59 AM
#36
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09-28-10 | 03:28 PM
#38
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From: 40205 'ViLLeBiLLie
Bikes: Sngl Spd's, 70's- 80's vintage, D-tube Folder
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.
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.
This has proven to work best for me too.
I get wintergreen from the 1.00 store.
Smells great, makes you feel clean
afterwards.
09-28-10 | 03:29 PM
#39
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From: 40205 'ViLLeBiLLie
Bikes: Sngl Spd's, 70's- 80's vintage, D-tube Folder
here's a different spin on reducing your body odor: https://www.naturalnews.com/004417.html
Not too many people agree, but I agree with the the diet stuff. Eating meat products, drinking alcohol,
medications, etc comes out as odor. The less chemical stuff in, the less aroma out
09-28-10 | 09:26 PM
#41
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From: Huntington Beach
Bikes: '09 Salsa El Mariachi, '08 Surly Cross Check, '06 Specialized Rockhopper
Walgreens also carries the Crsytal. Trader Joe's used to. I have been using it for years, it is great. Regular deodorant used to cause a rash. 
09-28-10 | 09:36 PM
#42
Prefers Cicero
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From: Toronto
Bikes: 1984 Trek 520; 2007 Bike Friday NWT; misc others
I use coconut oil as a natural deodorant, but it doesn't travel well as it turns liquid in warm weather and leaks out of the container. So it works better at home. You can buy it deodorized if you don't want to smell all tropical.
09-28-10 | 09:54 PM
#43
Thread Starter
In the right lane
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From: Des Moines
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Can you just wrap it in a plastic bag and put it in your pannier? Does it come in more compact size? Just run it under some way and apply?
09-29-10 | 07:01 AM
#45
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From: Chicago, IL
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This is really true! I smell like Kimchi all the time since moving to Seoul... It is served as a side dish for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I also like to carry some in myt handlebar bar while on tour now. It gives me super Kimchi powers!
09-29-10 | 01:10 PM
#47
Freewheelin' Fred
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Sacramento
Bikes: Surly Cross Check
+1 on isopropyl alcohol.
Every commercial deodorant I've tried gives me a nasty rash. The crystal stuff didn't cause the rash but I didn't like it either. A small splash of isopropyl alcohol after a shower works great for me.
Every commercial deodorant I've tried gives me a nasty rash. The crystal stuff didn't cause the rash but I didn't like it either. A small splash of isopropyl alcohol after a shower works great for me.
09-29-10 | 04:15 PM
#48
Papaya King
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,640
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From: Columbus, Ohio (Grandview area)
Bikes: 2009 Felt X City D, 1985 (?) Trek 400, 1995 (?) Specialized Rockhopper, 1995 Trek 850
I've been using the Thai stone for about a week now, and so far it still seems to be working great. It's difficult for me to trust it, so I keep smelling my armpits and shirts. I'm very impressed.
10-09-10 | 07:47 AM
#50
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Toronto, ON, Canada
I never use deodorant. I'm lucky in that my commute in is with a tailwind. But as long as I shower and change shirts often enough I don't have any trouble in the opposite direction either. In the worst case, if I totally overdress I can simply wash the sweat off as soon as possible at the washroom at my destination (rather than having to take a shower). I don't see how deodorant would help in that case anyways, if I was soaked in sweat I don't think I could stand not washing up and putting on deodorant instead...