Tom's of Maine unscented deodorant stick..."Hops: it's not just for beer"

(picture taken from their website)

So for those who know me a little too well and have spent time with me in the late evening when I am feeling rather stressed out, or for whatever reason you may have seen me look uncomfortable and scratch my arm pits. Yeah, I know, typing that out it looks disgusting, but let's face it everyone has an itch there from time to time, and for awhile (actually before I met Jay), I happened to experience discomfort a lot of the time in this area.

Well, after learning a little bit about the many chemicals and toxins that are allowed into American beauty products (that are banned in other countries...c'mon America!) I decided to try to find a deodorant that is "natural." Now what that word "natural" means to me is still a little unclear, but I am trying to learn more about these things with time and with the help of other people who have already made the switch from the ever so popular choice to natural care.

Anyway, I am starting the project out simple. I found the ONLY natural product available at Target, which to me was a good sign that there was an option, but it made me question how good it really was.

To make it short and simple I purchased the unscented Alumminum-Free deodorant stick by Tom's of Maine and have been happy with it so far. As explained on its website, "Hops: it’s not just for beer Says Fiona Russell, Category Leader for Deodorant: 'That’s right—the secret ingredient in our natural aluminum-free deodorants is hops, the same kind used in beer. Hops inhibits the growth of odor-causing bacteria, so you smell better!'" ...After I told Jay about this, needless to say he was excited.

While I have been warned by fellow classmates that the natural option for deodorant is a tough buy because most of them do not carry the anti-perspirant effect so it doesn't do the job for some people, but so far for me, so good! Jay has even borrowed it before bedtime and he has not been smelly and his armpits (which also itch from time to time) have not been bothered. My experience has been the same.

Now granted I have not worked out in the past 3 weeks which is another story...so once I get a workout in and actually sweat, I will report my findings!

For more information on Tom's of Maine products here is their website.