# Non-irritating Deoderant? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 19, 2003, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-irritating-deoderant/149651 "2003-01-19T16:43:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Treebeard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/edb3f5/32.png) [@Treebeard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treebeard)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2003, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-irritating-deoderant/149651/1 "2003-01-19T16:43:48Z")
Does anyone know of an effective, non-irritating deoderant? Every brand, including so-called natural brands such as Tom’s, gives me a rash. The only deoderants that don’t are the salt crystal types, but they aren’t very effective, and crack and break very easily. Any suggestions will be appreciated. ``` Thanks !! ``` ---
**Author:** ![Lsura](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Lsura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lsura)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2003, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-irritating-deoderant/149651/2 "2003-01-19T17:16:47Z")
I don’t know - for a long time, Secret was the only brand I could use (and forget about the clear ones…that was instant agony), but I think they’ve either changed the formula or I’ve developed a sensitivity to it. I tried Tom’s of Maine as well, and got just as irritated. I’m currently using one of the crystal brands that’s pre-disolved so you just spray it on. Things have definitely gotten better with it, but it’s also winter so the lack of anti-perspirant isn’t a huge issue. I don’t know what I’ll do come summer. ---
**Author:** ![Siege](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dbc845/32.png) [@Siege](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siege)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2003, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-irritating-deoderant/149651/3 "2003-01-19T17:28:27Z")
Secret used to work for me, as well. Right now, I swear by Avon’s deodorants. I’ve been using them for several years and no irritation yet. Avon’s now experimenting with free-standing stores, or I’ve seen their stuff for sale at flea markets if you don’t know someone who sell the stuff. So much for any hope of a reputation I had for being a sexy Doper babe around here. ☹ CJ ---
**Author:** ![Grelby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a5b964/32.png) [@Grelby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grelby)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2003, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-irritating-deoderant/149651/4 "2003-01-19T17:49:14Z")
Um, I used Degree for years. HATED it, but it didn’t irritate _shrug_. Then I switched to Tom’s, it was good, then gave me a horribly painful rash. So I stopped for a while to heal, used it again, got another rash (not as bad this time), kept using it and now I’m okay. I dunno, maybe I’ve managed to adjust or something. Like the stuff a lot, I didn’t want to give up on it. ---
**Author:** ![lel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8797f3/32.png) [@lel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lel)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2003, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-irritating-deoderant/149651/5 "2003-01-19T17:49:23Z")
Actually, sexy Doper babe **cjhoworth** , my mother also always mentioned that other deodorants irritated her and that the Avon 24 Plus ones were the only ones she could stand. For years, that’s what I got her every Christmas and every birthday – bottles of Avon 24 Plus deodorant. Besides, sexy Doper babe judgment isn’t made on your choice of deodorant… ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2003, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-irritating-deoderant/149651/6 "2003-01-19T18:29:07Z")
I get a rash from most deoderants as well. I used to use Dial but they no longer make it. I am currently using Degree Sport and have had success with it. ---
**Author:** ![Nymysys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f6c823/32.png) [@Nymysys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nymysys)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2003, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-irritating-deoderant/149651/7 "2003-01-19T18:39:19Z")
With you guys all the way. I’ve recently had luck with the Trader Joe’s brand deodorant. I’ve only been using it a week, but so far so good. I also used to be a Secret person as well, but I couldn’t wrap my mind around putting aluminum on my body anymore. Now I’m strictly a deodorant person. I’m scared of this summer, though. ---
**Author:** ![soulburnz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@soulburnz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/soulburnz)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2003, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-irritating-deoderant/149651/8 "2003-01-20T07:29:14Z")
Almay is a good brand - it’s hypoallergenic and they usually have it at Wal-Mart. Or any of the Arm & Hammer’s that are unscented. ---
**Author:** ![Joyce\_W](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3ab097/32.png) [@Joyce\_W](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joyce_W)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2003, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-irritating-deoderant/149651/9 "2003-01-20T10:54:42Z")
Try using a dab of 1% hydrocortizone cream first. Wait a few minutes before applying your deodorant. See if this doesn’t help. If all else fails, believe it or not, go see a dermatologist. Don’t suffer or worry about warmer weather. There is help out there. Good luck to all those with itchy burning pits. Oh! And for all those that shave, never apply deodorant immediately after shaving. ---
**Author:** ![royjwood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ce73a5/32.png) [@royjwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/royjwood)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2003, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-irritating-deoderant/149651/10 "2003-01-20T11:37:47Z")
Well, I have been a very long-time fan of the “natural mineral salt” deoderants. They have worked very well for me. However, I can not and will not use any “anti-perspirant”. They work by clogging the pores, so the rash that can erupt from that is just painful. Anyway, it is difficult to find a good “crystal” deoderant around here, so I currently use Gillete clear deoderant. No stink, no rash. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2003, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-irritating-deoderant/149651/11 "2003-01-20T12:27:43Z")
I switched to a scented talc after Old Spice apparently changed their formula to give me a rash. Aramis talc gives me no rash. ---
**Author:** ![js\_africanus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/87869e/32.png) [@js\_africanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/js_africanus)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2003, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-irritating-deoderant/149651/12 "2003-01-21T06:53:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by soulburnz \* > \*\*Almay is a good brand - it’s hypoallergenic and they usually have it at Wal-Mart. Or any of the Arm & Hammer’s that are unscented. \*\* I’ve been using Arm & Hammer unscented and sometimes I itch like a _mother_. ---
**Author:** ![Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2003, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-irritating-deoderant/149651/13 "2003-01-21T18:27:45Z")
I use Aromaco or Aromarant from [Lush](http://www.lushcanada.com/), because everything else makes me itch. ---
**Author:** ![Ceejaytee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ceejaytee/32/2956_2.png) [@Ceejaytee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ceejaytee)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2003, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-irritating-deoderant/149651/14 "2003-01-21T19:00:02Z")
I’m allergic to fragrance. I use Almay–it’s the only one I’ve seen that’s hypoallergenic. It works pretty well and I haven’t gotten a rash yet.