I know a few people, three in total that don't use an antiperspirant or deodorant and never have. All three claim that when they do use it they sweat more and smell worse than if didn't put it on. My interest was triggered again upon my first visit to Los Angeles. I bought a cream antiperspirant stick and when I read a possible side effect being linked to kidney function and failure I thought that's a bit weird, what on earth is in this stick that would affect my kidneys? As a side note I did not think that I would be living in the beautiful La La land years later. Life is good that way. Thinking no more about my kidneys I blindly went about my day. I carried on as normal smelling powder fresh for the next 6 years.
Recently I read an article about the ill effects of Aluminium / Aluminum and was convinced to try again. AllOOMINEEumm if you're from Ireland or the UK and AllOOminum if you're from North America. This is an easier trial for me as I am not working right now and thought the pungent smell that will emanate from my underarm will be mine to suffer alone. I will not inflict my natural odour upon anyone else. Aluminum is an active ingredient in antiperspirant and some deodorants to help control sweating. Aluminum, some researchers state has been linked to some cancers and to Alzheimer's disease. I am terrified of cancer and had heard something on the grapevine about the link between deodorant and breast cancer before but I'll admit that a possible Alzheimer's link frightened me into action. I don't have an answer as to why one frightened me into action more than the other, the reality is they both scare the bejaysus out of me. I am not a physician, oncologist or neurologist, but merely a blogologist now. I won't declare or quote any findings on a correlation if any between the diseases that scare me and antiperspirant but I was convinced to try going without, to becoming more natural. This may simply boil down to the three friends who've never used it and if they never had to neither should I. I'm very mature that way.
So what can I say now that I'm 40 days in. I wash my clothes far more. I can no longer get a few days from a t-shirt. 1 day is the norm and 2 at a push. This is a good thing, I am forced to wear all of my wardrobe instead of sticking to just a few items. After all I did spend money on that trendy respectable in the 80's top, I might as well wear it. What do you mean the pleather slashed peplum top doesn't go with khaki shorts and flip-flops?! I'm trend setting, a devil may care look but I can declare with a degree of certainty that I don't have any kewl-ness whatsoever to carry it off. If Alexa Chung can do it?, I definitely can't. I look like Lady gag as opposed to Gaga.
I thought wrongly that my body would have regulated itself after 14 days and I'd be a scent free version of myself but I'm still all sweat and tears. We all know how our own personal smell can bring a tear to our eye.
It starts with "The sniff test".
Honesty is the best policy. I am not fully convinced of this new found antiperspirant/ deodorant free way just yet, but I'm getting there. Sometimes the stench is so bad and that's not an exaggeration that I want to run and grab the Mitchum (my brand of choice for all eternity before my cruelty free lifestyle change, two sticks still take up residence in my bathroom cabinet). My poor husband has questioned with a scrunched up face and I quote "is that you?!" if I reach for something in the back of the car and a cloud floats out of my arm pit. A dark cloud and not a light white fluffy one. This trial will surely keep our fledgling marriage alive now won't it. Clothes dependant the stink is worse some days more than others. I found last week I was totally fine. There was no scent from this woman at all. I believe this to be true and my husband hasn't run for the hills so it must be.
Today was a hot day and a
perspiring one for me, nearly driving me to the precipice of reaching for
the anti perspirant once more. I know there are alternatives out there such as crystal salts deodorant or the Tom's of Maine brand who make an animal friendly, aluminum free deodorant but I've come so far. I am a month in, I really don't want to use anything. I'll be alone with no friends should this continue though; my husband and family the only people speaking to me because my family can't smell me over the phone and my poor husband made a vow. I'm certain wandering around Ross today I could see my stench linger after me like a demon spirit or a nasty shadow. If it had a face I bet it looks like Slimer (Ghostbusters).
There is a possibility that the more I smell myself the more nervous I get about it and the more I sweat. On a day following a strongly scented yesterday I have used organic apple cider vinegar. Dipping a cotton ball or pad into the vinegar and wiping it under your arm is supposed to help deodorize the area, this has definitely helped. When first applied the smell is very strong, I was sure people wouldn't know whether to talk to me or dip me in ketchup and mayonnaise, but once it dries in the smell disappears. This works so I use it as needed.
Undeniably most days I perch myself high upon my high horse, especially
regarding topics such as conserving water during this California drought. As if standing on a pulpit I discuss the need for initiatives on shorter showers and no dripping water and don't get me started if I see a leak on the street or sprinklers going at midday, I take it as a personal affront. My experiment is great for the esteem when I'm toppled from my high horse and have to jump into the shower twice daily the last 2
days (note the sarcasm). Two showers to combat your own personal odour is a bit ego deflating to say the least especially when you've got water on your mind. And let it be said I like the view from my high horse quite a bit.
Maybe the aluminium badness is working its way out. I'll keep going. I'm enjoying being somewhat natural. Day 40 now and I love these new lifestyle changes I'm trying, let's see what the next 30 bring. I will give another update in a month so "smell ya later!".
All content (writing and photographs) is my own and original unless otherwise stated. Copyright © 2015. Ruth S.
I thought wrongly that my body would have regulated itself after 14 days and I'd be a scent free version of myself but I'm still all sweat and tears. We all know how our own personal smell can bring a tear to our eye.
It starts with "The sniff test".
Honesty is the best policy. I am not fully convinced of this new found antiperspirant/ deodorant free way just yet, but I'm getting there. Sometimes the stench is so bad and that's not an exaggeration that I want to run and grab the Mitchum (my brand of choice for all eternity before my cruelty free lifestyle change, two sticks still take up residence in my bathroom cabinet). My poor husband has questioned with a scrunched up face and I quote "is that you?!" if I reach for something in the back of the car and a cloud floats out of my arm pit. A dark cloud and not a light white fluffy one. This trial will surely keep our fledgling marriage alive now won't it. Clothes dependant the stink is worse some days more than others. I found last week I was totally fine. There was no scent from this woman at all. I believe this to be true and my husband hasn't run for the hills so it must be.
There is a possibility that the more I smell myself the more nervous I get about it and the more I sweat. On a day following a strongly scented yesterday I have used organic apple cider vinegar. Dipping a cotton ball or pad into the vinegar and wiping it under your arm is supposed to help deodorize the area, this has definitely helped. When first applied the smell is very strong, I was sure people wouldn't know whether to talk to me or dip me in ketchup and mayonnaise, but once it dries in the smell disappears. This works so I use it as needed.
Undeniably most days I perch myself high upon my high horse, especially
Maybe the aluminium badness is working its way out. I'll keep going. I'm enjoying being somewhat natural. Day 40 now and I love these new lifestyle changes I'm trying, let's see what the next 30 bring. I will give another update in a month so "smell ya later!".
All content (writing and photographs) is my own and original unless otherwise stated. Copyright © 2015. Ruth S.
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