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Saturday, July 14, 2012

Testing: Deodorant

Disclaimer: I purchased the Pure Mint Deodorant. I received no compensation or free products for this review.

The Pure Mint Deodorant is a brand new product in the Pure Mint line that Arbonne introduced at the beginning of July 2012. Per the Arbonne website, the deodorant is:
An aluminum-free, paraben-free deodorant infused with mint and extracts from white tea, ginger, lemongrass, sage, and tea tree that ¬fights bad odor and helps you feel fresh all day. Baking soda and vegetable enzymes help neutralize odor, blocking the effects of odor-causing bacteria and delivering gentle, effective protection. (Arbonne)
I was super excited when my product came in the mail. I ordered it alongside the new toothpaste that was released on the same day (sadly, I forgot to order the mouthwash and will have to wait until pay day to order it). I've been slowly trying to "go green" for several months now, and this was the next step for me in trying to eliminate some of the nasty chemicals I put on my body (because let's be honest, no one really wants to put aluminium on their skin; it's just not good for you). The deodorant has a very pleasant mint smell as soon as you take the cap off the stick. I think even a man can get away with wearing this one without feeling like he smells like a girl since the scent is not overpowering once applied. It's also a clear stick so there's no messy residue that's going to get on your clothes. It glides on smoothly and feels pretty soothing on my skin (I usually get razor burn since I have sensitive skin).

Full disclosure: I normally need the clinical strength deodorants that some of the big name women's brands make. To be blunt, I stink. Bad. I also sweat a lot. The first couple of days, I didn't do anything out of the ordinary. I worked in my air conditioned office for eight hours and played with my 17-month old son. The only time I spent in the 105degree heat was the short walk from my house to my car and back. I was relatively impressed that I didn't stink by the end of the day, especially considering that if I were using just a regular deodorant that wasn't a clinical strength one, I would have been starting to smell a bit.

Fast forward to today. I spent the morning fighting with my very cranky toddler. Then I fought with some fabric while making a tutu for my sister. I then spent a couple of hours in a crowded church celebrating the life of a dear friend's husband. It was an emotional and sweaty day. And my deodorant failed me. To be fair, it was another scorcher of a day, and you can't expect a miracle with a product that uses a minimal amount of chemicals. I've got one more test I'd like to try on this stuff before I make a final decision on how I feel about this one (I'll reapply throughout the day as I get hot or do more activities). But, yes, I reeked. Or at least I felt like I stunk, and I just was not comfortable until I was able to take a shower.

With that being said, I would recommend this to someone who is not a candidate for using either a prescription or higher strength deodorant. It smells good and goes on nicely and works if you're either not running a marathon or just not a sweaty beast (like yours truly). If you're like me though, you may want to go ahead and stay with your normal stick for now (check back here after I finish my final test to see if I've changed my mind). I'm holding out hope that reapplying when necessary will change my opinion, although I'd rather not have to carry around a stick of deodorant any time I think I'll be getting a little too warm.

Rating: 6/10

26 comments:

  1. great idea to start blogging on the products! Looking forward to the final decision. Thanks for sharin.

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  2. I have to say, I tried to Arbonne deodorant and I did not like the product at all. I was so hoping it would be excellent since I enjoy the thought that it's all natural. But I gave it a good week and used it daily and every day I had to either reapply or I stunk very badly by the end of the day. I work in an office setting that I do not do physical labor and I still did not care the product. Hopefully, they will improve it over time.

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    Replies
    1. Try drinking water occasionally

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    2. When I switched to natural deodorant, it took my body about 6 months to really get used to it and stop stinking so much. Although I didn't do an armpit detox (google it) which would probably have helped.

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  3. Thanks for reviewing this! I'm in the same boat as you with regards to being stinky, so far a deodorant I made has been helpful but I find I have to wipe my pits with apple cider vinegar in the am before I put it on to give it the extra boost to last the day.

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  4. what is the full ingredient listing?

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  5. i am so disappointed to read these comments. I tried it--trust me when I tell you I stink to high heaven if I don't use something--I wanted to go green. used this and found it remarkably good. will keep trying it and re-post.

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  6. Alba Botanica™ Deodorant Stick Clear Enzyme Tea Tree ... Monitoring & Testing; Pain Relievers; Sexual Health; Sleep Support; Vision & Eye; Women's Health. Marijuana Rehab

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  7. I'm a dude, my wife recently became an Arbonne Independant Consultant and the Deoderant is one of the things I was most interested in trying. I have tried other natural deoderant products in the past to try to get away from putting aluminum under my arms, only to get much irritation. I have been using the Pure Mint deoderant for 2 weeks now and I have not had any issues with stink or with irritation. I work in a job where I spend equal amounts of time on the shop floor and in the office, and at home time I am still confident the the deoderant did its job. I love this product.

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  8. I am an Arbonne Consultant and like the deodorant but don't absolutely love it. On the other hand I have been using the Arbonne SeaSource body gelee as a deodorant now for about a month and am in heaven!

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    1. I am a consultant too! I like the deodorant but don't love it either, only because I have to reapply it if I start to stink ;) but that is the price I pay for not wanting harmful chemicals. Also, I am a very large lady and I don't get pit stains or the arm pit floods that I thought I would switching to a deodorant from an antiperspirant - I'm kind of shocked about that really... And, I think I got it on one of my host rewards so maybe paid $5?? at most... anyhow, I have the gelee at home and am going to try that.

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    2. your deodorant should last you all day. One shouldn't have to be reapplying a product-if you do then obviously it isn't a very good product! $17 US and $21 Canadian for this product!! A bit pricey...there are other aluminum free deodorants on the market that work and are not this costly

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  9. This product was effective for me during the winter months. By spring, once the weather became warmer, no longer effective. I by no means sweat heavily and was extremely disapointed with this deoderant considering competing brands (Jason & Kiss My Face) are not only much more effective yet cost less and more easily accessible.

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  10. Of course everyone is an Arbonne consultant. You need a lot of salespeople when you make a lot of one time sales. It's Amway with makeup. For what this stuff is it should be in the $4-$5 range max, not the $18 range.

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    1. For what this stuff is it WOULD be in the £100-£500 price range. Ok so maybe the deodorant is just chemical free but there are so many formulations in our skincare and makeup that major companies have tried and failed to formulate and we now have patents over (eg fresh cell technology and optilight technology). Our formulator has more patents to his name than any chemist in the world, think that's pretty awesome. Please do your research and open your mind. Also I paid £20 for my facewash, that was back in February and 6-7 months later of using it twice a day I'm still using that first one. If that isn't fantastic value for money on top of how my skin has changed and how much safer they are for my skin I don't know what is. I would say £3.33 a month is pretty average price range for what I was paying in drug stores before, and that's how much it divides in to. Oh no wait I was paying even less than that as I get a 35% discount and all my clients are using a 20% discount, who by the way do make repeat orders because they love the products and you aren't going to just stop buying shampoo and facewash are you? That's why selling consumable products works because we aren't selling Tupperware are we?

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  11. $18 for deodorant??? Am I the only one who thinks this is crazy expensive... plus shipping of course!

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    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  12. I am a wholesale buyer with arbonne and 2 of my friends tried the deoderant and said it was awful! They said that about 2 minutes after application there pits we're on fire! I've worn it with no problems...all though even with my discount I feel the price is far to high for the quality. Has anyone else had this burning reaction....and any ideas why? Thanks

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    1. I purchased the 30 day fit package and the deodorant came with it. I figured I'd try it on the weekend, to see if it really worked. I was surprised that it does work for me. The only issue that I do have, is when I first apply it, I do feel a burning sensation in my arm pits, but it's definitely a mild burn (tolerable) and after a few minutes it goes away. The reason I really like this product, is because I usually use dove and when you start to sweat it leaves a perfume like smell, which arbonne does not. I also noticed, that I haven't had any white deodorant stains on my clothes. Since it was in my package, not sure how much it cost, but I might buy it again.

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    2. I had the same problem too. My skin was on fire for half the day. Whatever is in it can not be natural. I have had other Arbonne products scorch my skin too.

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    3. Peppermint oil will cause a temporary burning feeling for some, that's what you're feeling, not a harsh chemical. Just read the ingredient list on the website.

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  13. I purchased this deodorant out of desperation as my husband has very very sensitive skin. What he had been using was discontinued and he had tried everything. He literally got scabs on his armpits from all other products he tried to the point where he was getting infections.
    He is through his first container of Arbonne deodorant and no issues or redness whatsoever. He works as a mechanic and spends most of his days outside and I can honestly say that I have never once smelled him to the point that he reeks.
    I am thankful for this product as it has saved making a trip dermatologist and perhaps months of waiting to get an appointment.
    I just ordered 3 more for him $19 each is pricey but if it works what do you do.

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  14. One day is a bit short to be recommending and testing a product. I too was a little sceptical about the Arbonne pure mint deodorant and decided to put it to the test during the school holidays - I am fairly active and chose the holidays to undertake some revamping of a back yard. Yes for the first week or so I was conscious that I had some body odour (BO) as my body dispelled the toxins that were present in my under arm due to the antiperspirant deodorants I had been using. Once these were gone I no longer have that issue and as others have commented there are no longer stains building up. I am a convert and will keep using the Arbonne Pure Mint Deodorant.

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  15. Two thumbs down on this deodorant. First of all it smelled like chewing gum, not a scent I care to wear and secondly it didn't work. I shower daily, drink lots of water, refrain from eating sugar, and generally do not sweat much so I usually only need a light deodorant. I can't believe I spent twenty buck on it. I have stopped purchasing Arbonne products because I usually end up with buyers remorse. I'll stick to my homemade beauty products, at least I know what goes in to them.

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  16. The temporary burning some may feel when using the deodorant is from the all nautral peppermint oil in the deoderant. If you have any experience and knowledge of peppermint oil you'll understand this. It's not a harsh chemical at all. Yes, you may have to reapply, but isn't it better to know your body is doing what it's naturally designed to do, which is ridding itself of toxins through the pores of your underarms via sweating?!

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  17. I don't like deodrants much but i read this article and thinking of trying this product. I hope Its wonderful to have this experience. Thank you for your blog.

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