TBS DeoDry Deodorant Review

A while back, I wrote a post about the potential risks associated with antiperspirants containing aluminum and parabens. Since then, I have been on the hunt for a fragrant and effective aluminum/paraben-free alternative. Thanks to the wonders of Groupon, I was able to try out The Body Shop with a $50 for $25 deal :) 


The Body Shop DeoDry Dry-Effect Deodorant line has three different scents, Chilled and Breezy, Fresh and Floral, and Cool and Zesty, in both stick and roll-on form. I liked Chilled and Breezy best. It's a fresh scent that reminds me of Juniper Breeze from Bath and Body Works. It would work well for both men and women!


According to TBS, this deodorant is...

- Best if you want to enjoy odor protection with our unique blend of volcanic minerals and refreshing essential oils with a cool, breezy scent. Contains no aluminum salts or parabens!       

 - Best for all skin types

How it works:

• Minimizes white marks on clothing.
• Community Trade aloe vera from Guatemala is renowned for its incredible soothing, hydrating and moisturizing properties — perfect for sensitive skin.
• Community Trade alcohol is made from alcohol which comes from the organic sugar cane farmers of the CADO cooperative in Ecuador.
• A unique volcanic mineral absorbs moisture to help keep you dry.

I purchased the Chilled and Breezy deodorant in stick form and it has a gel consistency. I personally prefer the more powdery stick deodorants because they feel more drying, but have yet to find an aluminum/paraben-free deodorant like that.

Here's my take on the product:

Pros

• Nice scent which lingers for hours after application
• Does not include aluminums and parabens!
• Made of natural ingredients (volcanic material sounds so interesting!)
• Have not had any issues with leaving white residue on clothing
• Good for sensitive skin, has not caused any irritations to my sensitive underarms
• Price: got it on sale for $4! That's not too far off from drugstore brand prices :)

Cons

• As cool as volcanic material sounds, it does not keep me dry as TBS claims
• Packaging promises 24 hour odor protection, did not always find this to be the case. Have had to reapply after 10-12 hours
• Gel stick consistency leaves underarms feeling damp...not a great feeling!

Overall, I am pretty pleased with this product. I was not expecting this to perform any miracles, I know that I tend to perspire more than the average lady, so certain allowances were made ;) As a deodorant, it did perform quite well, however, I have been using it during winter in NYC. I wonder how this will hold up during the hot and humid summer months!?

I also believe that there is a certain transition period for your body to accommodate to  aluminum-free deodorants. When I first started using aluminum-free deodorants, I thought that they were completely ineffective, but after a few weeks, my body reconditioned...so that is something to consider.

Will I repurchase? Leaning towards yes (especially if on sale!). I like the scent and it is convenient to carry when traveling. 

Have you tried any note-worthy deodorants? Share in the comments below!!

My Razor Burn and Ingrown Hair Solution

As I have mentioned before, one of my main beauty concerns is preventing razor burn and ingrown hairs. As a single gal livin' on a budget, I cannot afford the luxury of frequent visits to the salon for waxing and am too skeptical to invest in a epilator. I've stuck to my good ole Gillette Venus razor for the greater part of the past decade, and, pending any major issues in the future, will probably continue to do so until the next "big thing" in women's razors. During the summer months, I shave about once in every two to three days, and this can really take a toll on my already dry skin! I am also prone to the dreaded ingrowns on my legs and underarms. Thanks to the wonderful feedback from the ladies posting on the MakeupAlley boards, I was directed to TendSkin. While shopping for TendSkin, I was also advised by an employee at Sephora to get the Korres Yoghurt Cooling Gel to apply after TendSkin. Here are my thoughts on both:

Tend Skin Review:

I bought the Tend Skin Refillable Roll on from Sephora, It cost $17 for 2.5 oz. 

Positives -- I have been using this product for a little over a month and already have seen some great results! This is a pretty fast working product. I initially bought it because of painful red bumps in my bikini area. I used as advised, twice a day, and within a couple of days, the entire area was free and clear! I have also been using this on my legs, especially right after shaving, and though that is the time when it stings the most, it is also the time when TendSkin is the most effective! It helps to prevent future ingrowns because it works as an exfoliant! The area where this product has made the biggest impact, however, is my underarms. I have very sensitive underarms with ingrowns that aren't too pretty :( This product has been really making an impact! My underarms have much fewer red bumps, if any, and TendSkin has the added bonus of acting as a deodorant! How cool is that? This is most likely because of the alcohol content which helps with deterring bacteria formation. The roll-on applicator is really handy and allows for quick application without any waste.

Negatives -- I have been using these 2.5 oz since June and now I have about a pinky's width of product left. Though it is expensive, $17 every two months is not unreasonable. TendSkin is all about tough love...yes, it helps you get over those unsightly red bumps, but you gotta be able to handle a little stinging first. It is an alcohol-based product, so yes, it's gonna sting. Especially on freshly shaved skin! For this same reason, it also doesn't smell so great...but, in my opinion, small prices to pay for bump-free skin!!

Will I repurchase? -- Of course! Although this time, I going to go for the 16 oz. bottle and do some price shopping online.

Korres Yoghurt Cooling Gel Review:

I also bought this from Sephora. It cost $23.50 for 5.07 oz. 

Positives -- According to the packaging, it is originally intended to provide relief for sunburn, but the Sephora employee advised me to use this gel on areas that I used TendSkin on to provide some cooling relief after the stinging pain! I was intrigued by this gel having yogurt as it's main ingredient. Growing up, my Mom told me about the cooling properties of dahi (yogurt) and its use in at home facials. I used a pump or two of the gel about 5 minutes after using TendSkin and it really helped to relieve the stinging! I also started using this at night to relieve the dry skin on my legs from lots of shaving and on my underarms...it really helped in both areas! Yogurt Power to the Rescue :P 

Negatives -- Okay, this is also another expensive product...but I do think it might be worth it! The major downside of this gel, in my opinion, is the very short expiration date! I bought this product in late June and it expires in September!! I have been using it pretty regularly, but I don't think I'll finish it by September. Too bad it doesn't come in a smaller size! Another minor issue is that it can leave a slightly sticky sensation. I feel this way if I apply too much without moisturizing beforehand.  

Will I repurchase? -- Honestly, still on the fence about this one, but am leaning toward yes! It really provides me with skin irritation relief without being too greasy like a lotion can be. 

Let's talk Deodorants/Antiperspirants...

Does anyone else feel like there has been an upsurge in deodorant-related articles online lately? I keep reading about how it's better to be paraben- and aluminum-free, how deodorant/antiperspirants may be related to breast cancer and Alzheimer's Disease, etc. I've decided to do a little internet research to get some hard facts on this extremely common skincare staple!*

As many of you may already know, there is a difference between deodorants and antiperspirants. Deodorants are applied to the body to eliminate body odor (just like the name implies). This odor is caused by bacteria that breakdown sweat. Bacteria thrive in hot, humid environments and the human underarm is among the most consistently warm areas on the surface of the body. Underarm hair, believe it or not, wicks moisture away from the skin and aids in keeping the skin dry enough to prevent bacterial colonization and the B.O. that comes along with the bacteria. Now, unless you are a guy, it isn't really ideal to go au nautrel, especially in the summer where sleeveless is the way to be! What's a girl to do? Well, keep reading...

Antiperspirants are a subcategory of deodorants and their main purpose is to reduce sweat production via chemical agents. The main active ingredients in antiperspirants are aluminum chloride and aluminum chlorohydrate. Aluminum-based antiperspirants work by blocking the sweat ducts. Sweat continues to be produced by the sweat glands but it is not able to reach the surface of the skin. Antiperspirants, along with many other cosmetics, also contain parabens. Parabens are the most widely used preservatives in cosmetics and can be absorbed through the skin. Both aluminum and parabens can cause allergic reactions in users!

Recent studies have reported that long-term use of aluminum-containing deodorants/antiperspirants may cause harm. Aluminium salts get absorbed through the skin and accumulate in the body. There have been studies that suggest (read: no causal relationship has been proved at this point) that there may be an association between aluminum and Alzheimer's disease. The FDA does warn, however, that the daily use of antiperspirant drug products containing aluminum may put individuals at a higher risk for renal dysfunction. A study performed in 2002 stated that paraben exposure from antiperspirant use may be linked with breast cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, there is no direct link between parabens and any health problems, including breast cancer. The use of products with parabens doesn't seem to be harmful unless one is allergic.

In addition to the possible negative (and scary!) health effects that may be associated with antiperspirants, the ingredient aluminum zicronium tetrachlorohydrex gly is a known cause of yellow armpit stains on clothing, ick! For some good tips on getting rid of those stains, click here.

So, back to the original question....what to do?! I, for one, am going to go the paraben- and aluminum-free route. I have long since noticed that antiperspirants don't really do much for me, I'm pretty sweaty (sorry for being crude!) and an ideal product for me would make sure that I smell fresh and clean anyway :) After doing a little bit of research, I have found some products that seem promising, including:

- Arm & Hammer Essentials Antiperspirant/Deodorant

- Arm & Hammer Essentials Natural Deodorant

- Herbal Clear: Clear Aloe Fresh Natural Deodorant

I'll keep you posted on what I choose and how it works! Be on the look out for a review :)

Here are some other deodorant tips I found that are worth sharing:

1) Never apply deodorant right out of the shower when your skin is moist and warm as that may deactive the active ingredients. Wait until your underarm skin has completely dried to apply.

2) Do not put deodorant on after waxing, especially if it contains alcohol. It is best to apply powder after waxing and wait til the next day to use deodorants.

3) Roll-on, stick, and perfume deodorants are not less effective than spray deodorants. Perfume collection deodorants are actually milder and more convenient for people who sweat less (lucky you!)

In addition to using deodorants/antiperspirants, here are some other ways to reduce B.O.:

- Bathe daily to remove bacteria from the skin

- Loose fitting clothing allows your skin to breathe better than it does in tight clothes. Also, make sure to wear breathable fabrics.

- Certain foods (meat, onions, garlic, exotic spices, coffee, and alcohol) can lead to B.O. If you are troubled by a constant B.O. problem, you may want to try adjusting your diet. Unfortunately, these are some of the tastiest foods :(

- Tobacco is a major cause of B.O. as it comes through the skin. It may take several weeks for the body to rid itself of the odor after you stop smoking.

Now go out there and bare those lovely underarms :P

Til next time,

Mani :)

*Please note that I am not an expert on this topic in any way. The information presented here was found on the internet and may not be completely accurate. Please consult a healthcare professional for more concrete information.