I’m having a deodorant dilemma. I’ve read several times over the years that some of the ingredients in mainstream deodorants and antiperspirants are harmful to your health, but I’ve always felt that it would be more harmful to the health of everyone who came in contact with me if I were to forego this and switch to rubbing mineral salts under my arms as my only line of defense against B.O. I’d love to be more natural, but I sweat like Mike Tyson at a spelling bee when I work out and I just can’t go around smelling like a wildebeest all day! A friend of mine recently decided to take the natural plunge for her deodorant needs, and her objections regarding conventional underarm stink stoppers have burrowed into my psyche to the point that I’m worried about the health and safety of my pits, too. As a result, I fully plan to benefit from her experimentation by trying out the brand she considers most likely to keep the funk at bay. Maybe the cooler weather will allow me a little experimentation and I can sort of ease my way into the world of alternative deodorants before warm temperatures return. As long as I don’t end up chronically paranoid, sniff-testing myself every few minutes, this thing just might work!

– Tiffany Blair, LBSPY #47 (Dec 2-16, 2013)