The London Lounge

Greetings...

I wonder what everyone recommends for deodorants. I have tried all sorts of designer deos but have yet to settle on one.

Do any of you use the same cologne and deodorant?

Thanks!

For over a decade I have avoided antiperspirants because of concerns about deleterioius health effects of retained aluminum salts in the body. I use potassium alum "crystal" deodorant stones, which have been completely effective against odor, leave no white residue, and have never stained any clothing. I prefer unscented deodorant (why invest in a good cologne if it has to fight your deodorant?) and alum meets this criterion as well.

These do not impede perspiration (a healthy thing on the whole), just odor. I don't usually perspire heavily, so it's seldom an issue. In winter, oddly, when wearing a topcoat, I generate enough core heat that my shirt sometimes becomes pretty damp in the armpits. This has caused a problem with my oldest bespoke jacket, whose lining bled onto a white shirt--the salts apparently released some dye. I plan to have the jacket relined. My jackets from the last ten years have never bled, but now I always ask for a sample of the lining and test it to be sure before the tailor makes itt up.

Mitchell is only one that really works

And even that leaves a stain

i have found that ether adidas or origional source are bith quite good

also clinques too! stay away from linx

Give the Rock Salt Thai Crystal Deodorant or any of its competitors a try, it really works.

i think it is best not to have a deoderant the same as you aftershave as you will end up with about 20 different deoderants - just choose 1 with a plain or unfregrent

I prefer to use unscented but the one I am using now has a mild scent that is barely noticeable after it has dried.

I am using Nivea no residue roll-on. I tried alum once but it irritated my skin. My dermatologist told me alum can irritate the skin.

GB

Anonymous wrote:I I tried alum once but it irritated my skin. My dermatologist told me alum can irritate the skin.

GB

Just goes to show. As I mentioned above , I've used the moistened-rock style alum (like Thai Crystal, etc.) for over a decade with far less irritation than I ever had with antiperspiranats. It's another reason I like it. Usually I have pretty vulnerable skin, too. I guess as with colognes the reactoin varies among individuals.

I'll have to try that crystal although I was always skeptical. But not controlling perspiration is a real downside when wearing a tight fitting suit coat.

But I got a chronic irritation from the store bought deodorants that is driving me mad and refuses to go away no matter how much topical steroid I apply. Jeez.

If you switch from an antiperspirant, give the stone a week or two befrore you evaluate results. Some people find they perspire more for a few days after stopping antiperspirant use--a kind of "rebound," I guess; and it takes a few days for the altered skin environment to stop supporting bacterial populations. We're not talking heavy-duty bactericide here, just conditions that inhibit growth. So it takes a few days to eliminate the existing colonies. The good news is that if you use it regularly for some time, you can miss a day and not notice any difference.

where can one buy the thai crystals? outlets in London would be most convenient if there are any.

I use an organic doedorant since have found that a chemical anti-perspirant will tend to leave a white stain after sweat which can't be removed.

Anonymous wrote:where can one buy the thai crystals? outlets in London would be most convenient if there are any.

any health store should carry them.

The previous poster is correct, but to add specificity for convenience: most Whole Foods Market locations carry several brands, both the solid "rock" form that one dampens under the faucet and then rubs on the skin and the "roll-on" version that has the salts suspended in water mixed with something to keep them in suspension. I prefer the solid variety, which has the newly relevant advantage for U.S. fliers of not counting as a "liquid or gel" that requires separate packing for airport security. Sorry not to be able to recommend an English supplier. I'll check in a few months when I'm next there.

Update for the poster requesting a UK source: This UK online site carries the brand I use. I've started getting the travel size only--it's easier to handle and still lasts quite a long time. Note that at some point the crystal will shrink enough that the plastic base/holder no longer grips--just remove the stone and grasp it directly in your hand for use, and then replace it. It may be obvious, but it's probably worth saying that one should allow a couple of extra minutes for the moisture to dry before dressing. Once dry, there's no feeling of residue on the skin.

http://lemonburst.co.uk/acatalog/Lemonb ... nt_12.html