On Body Odor

A few simple facts...First, we all perspire, and bacteria requires moister, and second, our bodies are warm, and bacteria requires warmth. And last, the bacteria that exists, to varying degrees, on all of us has a distinctive and often powerful aroma as it decomposes, which it must, and that aroma is Funky B.O. 

Of course, our armpits are the greatest offenders, as they are possibly our warmest and moistest part, and therefore ripe with bacteria, bacteria that will live, quickly die and then decompose on our skin, emitting that all too familiar and unpleasant odor. 

Now in America this is a particular problem, as we're continually inundated with advertisements designed to convince us that we naturally stink (which we can) and that the only way to combat that problem would be by purchasing deodorants to cover the odor or antiperspirants that attempt to stop our sweating in the first place. But there are problems with both of these options. First, deodorants are merely cover-ups and often the aroma of sweat mingling with that of the deodorant's perfume is worst than that of the sweat alone, and antiperspirants that attempt to block our sweat are simply unhealthy.

All antiperspirants that we know of contain aluminum salts which have been linked with Alzheimer's Disease. Further, when we block the sweat from under our arms, that perspiration will find another outlet...your face, neck, lower back, feet, hands or crotch. A better plan would be to use a product that reduces or eliminates the bacteria and that also allows the skin to breathe.  There is one such type of product on the market, and that is the Crystal Stick Deodorant (still called a deodorant, though it contains no perfumes). Everyone we know that uses this product reports that they almost never have body odor.

The Crystal Stick is a solid "rock" of various natural salts that is used by either wetting your skin or the stick and rubbing it under the arms. It is also helpful in controlling foot odor and may be used on other parts of the body that may offend. The salts prevent bacteria from forming, and it does so remarkably well. We recommend this product strongly, and it is easy enough to find in many drug and grocery stores as well as at health food stores (look for the roll up version in a clear pinkish container). 

If you prefer making your own products, however, you might prefer the Moontide version. We dissolve one heaping tablespoonful of sea salt and a pinch of alum (optional and available at drug stores) into half a cup of boiling distilled water, allow it to cool,  add 7 drops of tea tree or lavender essential oil, and 1/4 teaspoonful of vodka (optional, but a good ingredient, best to leave out only if your skin is very sensitive). Another optional ingredient is 1/8 (no more) teaspoonful of glycerin (to soften and soothe the skin). We put the mixture into any fine mist spray bottle and lightly spritz it on after showering. We find that this controls odor throughout even the hottest summer day. 

You may have found this an odd subject for us to cover, however, since our shop had been small and sometimes crowded, all too often, we have had the unpleasant experience of servicing a customer that really requires this type of advice. Further, after discovering the root cause (filthy, germ ridden, disease carrying bacteria) of the problem, we consider this a health issue. Using our salt method or the crystal stick is simply a healthy practice.