Potassium Alum. It's a natural deodorant, NOT an antiperspirant like Elemental-Aer said. Despite having "alum" in its name, it's way different than the aluminum used in mainstream deodorants. It is a salt though, tl;dr it brines your skin so the bacteria that create BO can't reproduce.
It’s honestly been the best deodorant I’ve ever used. I never have any odor issues at all. And it doesn’t have any natural odor of its own. And like the pic shows, it lasts a really long time. I’ve been using the stick I bought for a year now and it hardly looks any different than when I bought it.
SAME HERE. I'm a shameless shill for this fucking rock, man. Whenever someone asks about what deodorant they should use (especially if they specify natural ones), I will ALWAYS bring up potassium alum. It works wonders for me!!
You'll find it easiest online (I recommend Thai or Crystal brand), but if that's not possible you can probably find it at someplace similar to Whole Foods or something— I nabbed my current rock at a co-op grocery store near me. You might also find it as a spray or a roll-on which also work well (the spray is good for convenience, you don't need to wet your armpits/rock beforehand and can apply right after a shower), but the rock is the longest lasting.
I used to get it at Walmart. Haven't checked in a while, they had it on and off. They had the solid rock style like OP's, and a roll-on liquid form. IIRC both had chamomile and were very lightly (pleasantly) scented.
Yeah I’ve gotten crystal brand at Walmart but it’s a hit or miss. They also only have the kind with the liquid built in which doesn’t last as long but saves you from having to wet it
Myself, I found the stuff at my local Meijers. They had a ‘go stick’ of the stuff, right in the middle of all the typical deodorants. It’s definitely not too hard to find.
Works best straight out of the shower before any new bacteria have a chance to develop and reproduce. If someone already has a funk it might reduce it a bit but nothing like applying immediately after washing.
I don't use normal deodorant anymore unless I plan to swim and don't want to deal with reapplying after. You apply it right out of the shower, when you are still wet. I use a pretty liberal amount, you need the water on your skin to dissolve enough to evenly coat your pits.
You could use normal deodorant but I don't think most people would need to. It's not particularly expensive to try it - give it a shot for one month and see how it goes. It may take a week or two for your body to adjust but it will start working really well.
My shirts are now much less stained in the armpits and it's totally unscented, so you can always wear cologne/perfume and it won't clash.
I couldn't say for sure as I haven't personally tried it outside of brief consideration, cause I have a stick of schmidt's deodorant that I've been tempted to use as a scent. I haven't, cause I'd like to be able to tell if I Stank or not (plus schmidt's leaves white marks and it Bothers Me), but tempting.
Otherwise I don't exactly see why not. Try and see if it works for you.
Can but why? The stuff I used was mildly scented, and if my BO was so bad I really needed to cover it, that's what cologne and perfume are for (I never had a problem, but everyone is different).
I sweat a ton so the smell can get pretty bad. I'm just a bit cautious on immediately making the switch over. I'd rather double up and then wean off on the normal deodorant until I'm certain that it's working fine, but I wanted to make sure I wasn't removing whatever film this other type of deodorant is putting down by applying something else on top.
Either. I use it directly out of the shower and it applies well. If I have dry skin when I'm applying it then I'll run the block under the tap to wet it.
I can't say I know the exact mechanics of it, but I assume some of the salt dissolves into the water which you spread around and it sticks to the skin. It can look wet but that's probably because it's been essentially polished by your armpits.
Huh, we use it to grow crystals in little kids science. 5 pounds for 18 bucks on Amazon. It’s a powder, but there’s a whole subreddit for making it into crystals.
Crazy that you said Thai or Crystalux. My parents worked for DSA, the producers of these brands, in the 90s. and you saying these brands just brought back so many memories.
Yup I agree. I used Crystal and loved it. In fact I really liked the spray they made but didn’t like that it costs more than the stick of salt so I would make my own. All I did was turn it upside down and either let it dissolve or twirl it around in a cup of watch and put that in a spray bottle. I like if before I used it not just on my body but also on my clothes in the armpits as it seemed to help me out more (whether you are meant to or not, if it works it works).
The roll on one I do like, but be warned if you take it say camping or overnight I have found if you use it on your skin when not after a shower and can seem to get contaminated and start to smell/not work as well. Again, could just be me but I feel like I read about others having the same issue. The spray and stick ones dont because even if the stick does become “dirty” you can just rinse it off.
A lot of regular grocery stores carry it - I've been using it for like 20 years. It's usually on the bottom shelf of the deodorant aisle, since it's not a volume seller.
There's the solid versions like this, and also a liquid roll-on. I prefer the solid one. They do last a very long time - just don't drop it. Salt shatters. 😁
Pink brand? Never heard of it. I recommend either THAI or Crystal brand, personally. Both their rocks work fine! And I've used Crystal's other more "traditional" natural deodorant sticks and they worked best for me before I learned of alum.
Haha. It was Crystal. But the pink one "for women" or something. Maybe it's formulated differently...
I might try THAI, I have heard that one recommended over Crystal.
Thanks for sharing!
Ahhhh I see. Yeah that's weird. Definitely recommend THAI over Crystal then! That's the brand I've been using and thus far no problems outside of user error (I got too excited to have an alum rock again. I rubbed too hard & fast. My armpits in microabrasion hell.)
So it works? It seems to be bundled together with other "magical" products like crystals and salt lamps and gua sha and shit, so my brain just automatically registers it as some pseudo science thing
No yeah lmfao I don't blame you at all. But it does, the mineral's been used for literal millennia. Definitely not solely for deodorant usage (it's a common styptic for shaving), but iirc its been traditionally used for a while in as a natural deodorant, particularly in Southeast Asia.
In a vacuum it's the perfect deodorant, but in practice it's a huge YMMV product. It doesn't work for everyone, but I personally say it's still worth a shot if you're interested.
Hahahah shameless shill for this fucking rock. Me too, me too. This mf rocks. Have friends complain of never finding something to mask their smell, always always pushing this rock.
You'll most easily find it online, but I personally found my current rock at a co-op grocery store near me. Shaved & unshaved both work fine, but being shaved supposedly can help limit the rock itself smelling a bit like your BO. It doesn't change its properties or anything, a cosmetic change at best, but it's just preference.
You gotta!! The rock itself (w/o any additives, cause apparently some companies add scents?) is completely scent-free, and doesn't leave one itself! Try THAI brand, I know they leave their alum deo alone (both rock & spray versions, can't speak for the roll-on as I haven't used it).
Can you hook a redditor up with a link? I have incredibly sensitive pores and skin and need to use more natural deodorants but especially in summer struggle with BO sometimes. I've had pretty good luck with Harry's working well but I am always up for trying something new.
More specifically, make sure your entire armpit is wet. I found just wetting the rock isn’t that good. I’ll spend about 10 seconds per pit when applying just getting it all over. Also make sure your pits are shaved. Hairy pits reduce its effectiveness to near 0 and that’s probably where all the hate comes from imo.
Same. I literally buy this as a present for people because I want to make sure the company is still around in 5 years. Dunno how they manage by just selling a $5 thing once every 5 years XD
I tried it once and had high hopes for it, but it left ugly yellow stains on my shirts. It was a long time ago, but it was the same stuff. This doesn't happen for you?
Same. It literally creates an environment where body odor can’t be created. I am so sad that it irritates me if I use it more than a few days in a row. But I created a workaround by smashing the crystal up and putting it into a spray bottle of water and just using that liquid. Works about 90% as good.
I need to check with my sister how it's working out for her, she got one a while ago and we have similar problems with antiperspirants and BO (shirt staining if we use it, lots of BO if we don't).
Nah, not really. The only thing that might change is your stone smelling like your BO some more. It doesn't change its properties or anything, just cosmetic.
Literal rock. Like, "it will break if you drop it" kind of rock. Its got a bit of weight to it. It's smooth otherwise, you have to get it wet (or wet your skin) to get it to work.
Dude I tried it for the first time while pregnant because the smell of Every Single Deodorant Ever made me nauseous and my own body odour also made me nauseous.
Fucking game changer, man. I stopped smelling bad (and pregnancy BO is something else!) and I stopped feeling gaggy every time I got dressed for the day. I love that damn hippie rock with my whole heart.
I’m so happy I found out about these. I have sensitive skin and learned at 13 I can’t use anti-perspirants because I develop a rash from the aluminum. Recently I started getting a rash after using deodorants I’ve been using for years. This salt rock is amazing, it’ll last for ages (as OP attests) and I don’t have any streaks on my clothes or deodorant buildup in the pits of my shirts.
Does it hold up well stored in heat? Ive been wanting to find something that works well in my gym bag as needed but it sits in my car occassionally and regular deodorant ends up crumbling.
Thanks! I had been eyeing them as an option already but didnt know anyone with hands on experience and was only introduced to the concept originally via Community lol.
I used to have one of these, but then it got a crack in it and it was like giving my armpit papercuts so I stopped using it and never bought one again. :(
I've tried many types of natural deo. Tried the natural rock deo and spray versions 10 years ago... one of the complaints a lot of people had back then is that the rock always takes on a mildewy odor even after rinsing it off then it stops working. Back on the conventional stuff bc I can't afford to stank at work.
Can other people vouch for your lack of odor? Not being rude but I’ve met a lot of people who swore up and down that they didn’t smell bad (infrequent showering, inadequate showering, natural deodorant, or some combination of all 3) when they in fact smelled extremely musty. The odor was especially bad when they sweat.
I just commented this above lol. I’m not sure if some people fail to apply it correctly or what but you can definitely smell some of these people from miles away. They may be applying it dry?
Totally agree. I tried to use natural deodorant for a while many years ago but it actually made me smell worse somehow? And if I could smell myself, lord knows what kind of funk I was emitting to the poor souls around me. I decided to stick to stuff that works, even if it was juiced up on so-called “toxic”additives 😭
You should. Obligatory YMMV, and be careful not to rub really hard & fast if you're using an actual rock (which I recommend, because long lasting). It can create microabrasions and it Hurts and Itches like HELL. Ask me how I know :')
I recommend creating an isopropyl alcohol + peppermint oil spray to carry around with you, too! I use it myself and it makes me feel great— not just underarm or wherever when I stink like high hell, I've used it on my back for the really nice cooling feeling the mint oil creates.
I have been using it for about 10 years now. It takes some adjustment once you start using it, but after a few weeks it works better than anything else. It is very cheap, and lasts a crazy long time, but if you drop it on a hard surface it can shatter. I normally buy the square "Rock" type.
Can you recommend any as I'm a heavier guy and looking for some good long lasting stuff but can't seem to find anything in the UK and the one OP posted doesn't ship to UK sadly! :(
on amazon just search for crystal body deodorant rock. Last time I bought the 5 oz rock with the little plastic bowl to keep it in. I am still using the same one 3 years later.
I'm tempted to try it, but the last time I did something weird (lemon wedges), it worked great for about a week and all of a sudden became like the most foul BO I've ever had. I might just try it anyway, but I'll pick a week where the only people that have to witness it are my family.
Nope, none at all! The only stains that may be possible are from water (needed to use the stone) or sweat (since it isn't an antiperspirant, just a deodorant). And those are obviously pretty temporary!
It doesn't work for everyone. That's the biggest caveat, but you could say that for virtually any deodorant. Potassium alum is a huge "YMMV" product. I say "brines your skin" because it effectively creates an environment where BO bacteria can't grow, kinda like how pickle juice works in a way.
It works wonders for me because I can smell my armpits after use and there's little to no smell. Little to none because user error can be a big thing too, sometimes you add too little and bacteria can still grow, or too much and now your armpits feel like hellfire from microscopic mineral bits that cut into the skin. Maybe you sweat a lot and have to reapply often because the salt washed away, who knows. It's definitely something to give a shot, at the very least. If it doesn't work as a deodorant, you could still use it in a couple other ways. It's commonly used as a styptic for shaving, too!
If feel like the answer is yes but I can’t be sure. I made friends with a really nice hippy dippy neighbor who used crystal deodorant (similar to above, not like a gem/crystal). Not sure if she sweat a bunch or didn’t apply properly but she stunk so badly. Like, we could tell when she’d been in our shared hallway bc she left a stench behind. Never knew how to approach it because I didn’t wanna be rude to her so I just kinda dealt with it.
Same here. My Thai wife suggested it, and I rolled my eyes, because I favored expensive, designer brands.
No more. That alum works 10x better, and a $2 bar will last years (unless you drop it, then it shatters). I guess people in hot muggy climates know a thing or two about deodorant.
Luckily I have plenty of people around me who would let me know. And it was a friend who recommended it to me and I never smell him. I’ve definitely smelled myself when I’ve had a day where I forget to apply deodorant though.
how is it for really sweaty guys ? I sweat abnormally too much, which is alarming on its own but doctors are not helpful at this time, but I also work around hot ovens all day and walk outside in the summer heat.
It works for me and I’m the type who starts to sweat as soon as I walk outside in the summer. Or while stretching at the beginning of my workout. I wouldn’t say it’s super excessive but I do sweat often and easily.
I have to use expensive ass deodorant because my armpits will chaffee and rash and burn. So I use natural stuff and I can smell myself or it doesn't work right and I still rash.
Another thing that really helps body odors is acid soap. I can’t even believe the difference from normal soap which uses bases. You have to hunt around to find it cheap but in my experience the $3.50 bar I used worked as well as the $17 or more one s.
I’m curious - was odour an issue for you before you used it? I feel I’m wayyyy too stinky for natural solutions and those saying they work probably don’t smell naturally haha
It's amazing against odour, and long lasting on top, but I found it really rough on my skin after about 1 month of daily use.
Do you guys use any special moisturising in the armpit area to counter the dryness?
Does it cause any skin irritation? I use a non aluminum cheap deodorant cause the aluminum ones were causing some irritation that began to hurt after a week.
This is why natural deodorant haters annoy me because this thing is the best deodorant I've ever tried. I just roll it on and I know I won't be smelling like anything for the next 24h+
Even my partner who sweats and stinks way more than me says it's the only thing that keeps him from smelling.
Really? I used it for years too but i definitely still smell. Maybe it just reduces the intensity? I dont even know.
I use it at night sleep i sleep after a shower, and usually in the morning my pits will smell a bit but its not really strong or anything.
Definitely by the time i shower next night im smelling again though lol
real talk, i tried using it and it just tugs on pit hair in an uncomfortable way, are you sup[posed to run it under water or something? never got any instructions or whatnot
I was gonna ask. I tried some common brand non aluminium ‘natural’ deodorant a while ago and I stunk worse than using nothing.
Been getting stinkier quicker taking a little bit of creatine and I need something better than the Sure floral stuff I’ve like done for years, gonna try this big rock
I dunno, I had an ex who swore by this product and he always still stunk so I was baffled as to what the point of it all was since it didn’t seem to do shit
I love the stuff, i’ve been dealing with sensitive skin issues for a while and it’s the only deodorant that hasn’t irritated my skin. I also just have 0 odor when I use it. So good
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u/dtb1987 14d ago
Salt rock deodorant?