Crystal deodorant is a unique natural deodorant. It uses the natural mineral salt, potassium alum, to inhibit the growth of odor-causing bacteria. Unlike traditional deodorants and antiperspirants, crystal deodorant does not contain potentially harmful aluminum compounds or Parabens. The deodorant provides 24 hour hypoallergenic protection, and does not stain your clothes or leave a greasy residue on the skin.

“This expansion with Walmart allows us to provide our customers with our easy-to-find natural deodorant without the sticker shock,” said Ted Alflen, CEO and founder of Naturally Fresh Deodorant Crystal. “Our goal has always been to provide effective products without harmful chemicals at consumer conscious prices.”

A percentage of Naturally Fresh Deodorant’s proceeds go to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation for the Cure, and all products are cruelty free. According to Naturally Fresh Deodorant Crystal, their presence in Walmart will hopefully expand their reach to a broader group of customers.

Traditionally, crystal deodorant has been a niche product in the U.S. due to its uniqueness and rarity. In contrast, the European market has proved more accepting to crystal deodorant where popularity and sales are much stronger. However, the natural personal care market in the U.S. is burgeoning and crystal deodorant is experiencing a significant growth in acceptance and popularity.

As consumers become more health conscious and aware of the chemicals in their personal care products, they are looking for ways to eliminate potentially harmful ingredients from their daily lives. Crystal deodorant is a great way to help achieve their goal. With its ease of use, safety, effectiveness and all-natural ingredients, crystal deodorant is a product that has gone from niche to mainstream, and Walmart confirms this with their immense retail presence.

Furthermore, private label crystal deodorant is experiencing a growth in sales. The increased recognition of private label health and beauty products has allowed companies to cost effectively compete against national brands with an equally effective product. According to independent clinical efficacy tests, crystal deodorant is just as effective as chemical laden deodorants, and retail stores are now able to pass on the natural benefits to their customers.

To answer bluntly, no. Consumers are demanding more than just a natural deodorant, and are unwilling to sacrifice efficacy for natural ingredients. Companies are listening to consumers’ demands. They are now heavily investing in green chemistry and are creating natural deodorants with equally effective results as the strongest chemical deodorants. Consumers no longer have to make a sacrifice to avoid harmful ingredients.

One such natural ingredient allowing deodorants to be both natural and effective is potassium alum, a naturally occurring mineral. Deodorant companies are replacing their harmful or toxic chemical ingredients used to prevent odor with the natural mineral. And if they aren’t, they should. Potassium alum is a natural deodorant ingredient that provides very effective odor protection, and best of all, it is an equally effective alternative to synthetic active ingredients.

A common type of deodorant made from potassium alum is crystal deodorant. The name stems from the fact that the naturally occurring form of potassium alum is a crystallized mineral. In its raw form it looks similar to quartz whereas it is a colorless translucent crystal that forms in clusters. However, the preferred form of potassium alum for the commercial production of natural products, other than crystal deodorant stones, is potassium alum powder. Potassium alum powder makes it possible to formulate a variety of products that have natural odor protection, such as soaps, lotions and body sprays. The ideal choice is micronized potassium alum, because the potassium alum powder is so fine it dissolves in liquids. Potassium alum powder is obtained by crushing, grinding and milling the naturally extracted mineral crystals.

Potassium Alum Deodorant Benefits

Potassium alum deodorant can provide benefits that are unmatched by leading traditional deodorants. Potassium alum, when used in its pure state, will provide 24 hour odor protection by inhibiting the growth of odor-causing bacteria. Additionally, it is hypoallergenic, and does not include fearful ingredients like Parabens or aluminum chlorohydrate. Also, an added benefit of potassium alum deodorant is that when it is applied to the skin it is totally invisible and leaves no white streaks or oily residue.

Furthermore, potassium alum can act as a great aftershave. It provides astringent and antiseptic effects which allow it to stop the bleeding of shaving cuts and nicks while toning and firming the skin.  And, a little known secret of potassium alum is that it can also prevent razor bumps or even help remove pimples.

So, if you feel like avoiding all concern of harmful ingredients or spending your hard earned doe on natural products, try making your own. I have compiled a list of some of my favorite natural homemade recipes, and now you can be in total control over what you’re putting on your body. Have fun, try them out, and let us know what you think.

1. Toothpaste

When buying toothpaste you may want to avoid fluoride or sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and other ingredients. The majority of traditional brands contain these, and the ones that don’t often carry a higher price tag. The other and cheaper option is to make your own toothpaste.

Here are instructions for making your own toothpaste

Mix together:

• 2 Tablespoons of Coconut Oil
• 3 Tablespoons of Baking Soda
• 5 drops Peppermint Essential oil
• 5 drops Spearmint Essential Oil
• a pinch of Stevia powder

2. Perfume

Fragrances, perfumes, colognes, you name it; they all contain chemicals. Not all chemicals are bad, but what is disturbing is that the Environmental Working Group found that 66% of the chemicals in fragrances are not even tested for safety.

So, instead of wondering if the fragrances you use are toxic or harmful, why not make your own with scented essential oils?

It’s easy. You just need a few simple supplies:

• A 2 oz. spray bottle. You can clean and reuse one that’s already in the cabinet, or buy a travel size one from any drugstore.
• Rubbing alcohol
• Your favorite essential oil, such as Egyptian musk or a rosemary and lavender blend. Perfume oils usually come in floral, woodsy, earthy, spicy, Oriental and citrus. Mix and match and try to find one that works best for you.

Put 40-60 drops of oil into your spray bottle, top off with the alcohol and give it a good shake to combine.

3. Deodorant

Deodorants are a hot topic these days. There are major concerns of the link between aluminum in deodorants and Alzheimer’s, as well as the threat of Parabens causing cancer. The research has shown conflicting results, but just the idea of such risks is frightening.

Store bought natural deodorants do exist that are both safe and effective, but some come with a hefty price tag. The prices range from $4 to $23. So, if you want to avoid purchasing any at all, and would like to try making your own natural deodorant, then here is a recipe that you can try.

Mix together:

• 3 Tablespoons shea butter
• 3 Tablespoons baking soda
• 2 Tablespoons corn starch
• 2 Tablespoons cocoa butter
• 2 vitamin E oil gel caps (puncture and squeeze out the oil)
• Essential Oil (I used ylang yang and orange)

Melt all the ingredients (except the oils) and stir well. Then add the oils and stir again. Pour the mixture into a ¼ pint jar and place in the refrigerator until it hardens.

The deodorant goes on white-ish and gets clear-ish later. It does not prevent sweating, but does a great job of eliminating any bad odor, and adds a nice, fresh smell.

4. Facial Scrub

Often the most popular facial scrubs are quite costly and full of chemicals. That is why making a natural scrub is great. You eliminate the toxic chemicals and save some money.

There are many different types of facial scrubs, and different skin types tend to require different facial scrubs. That is way I have listed some of my favorite, easy-to-make recipes.

Basic Baking Soda Scrub
Perfect for everyday use.

• 2 to 3 Tbsp. Baking soda
• Small amount of water
• Mix the ingredients into a paste.
• Using a circular motion, apply to face and gently scrub.

Rose Almond Face Scrub
To brighten and soften skin.

• 1 tsp rosewater
• 1/2 tsp almond flour or finely ground almonds.
• Mix into paste and apply.

Oatmeal Scrub

A stimulating, thoroughly cleansing 3-in-1 scrub!
Smooths, tones, and hydrates.

• 1 Tbsp. ground oatmeal (use steel cut oats, not instant)
• 1 tsp. lemon juice
• 2 tsp. yogurt
• Combine and apply.

Optional: let your scrub double as a mask. Let it sit a few minutes before scrubbing and rinsing.

For more natural homemade facial scrub recipes and the source of the ones above check out this article by Sassy Bella.

5. Shampoo

Here is a great natural shampoo recipe that you can make at home. It not only cleans your hair, but also contains nutrients and many more benefits, like helping prevent premature baldness and flaky scalp conditions.

First collect the following items:

4 oz of castile soap with any scent is that available – plain, peppermint, eucalyptus.

½ oz of rosemary – stimulates the hair follicles and helps to prevent premature baldness

½ oz of sage – has antioxidants and keeps things from spoiling and is antibacterial

½ oz of nettles – acts as a blood purifier, blood stimulator, contains a large source of nutrients for hair growth

½ of lavender – controls the production of sebaceous gland oil and reduces itchy and flaky scalp conditions

2000 mg of MSM – provides organic sulfur to your scalp, which improves the health and strength of your hair. It also helps to drive herbal nutrient into the skin and follicles where they can do the most good.

One empty 8 oz plastic bottle or any other empty shampoo or soap bottle.

Mix the herbs in a mason jar, which has a lid. Boil 2 cups of distilled water. Add 3 heaping tablespoons of the mixed herbs into the boiling water. Pull the boiling water and herbs off the stove. Let the herb mixture sit for 30 – 40 minutes. Put the 2000mg of MSM into the herb mixture after 30 minutes of cooling. After 40 minutes and the MSM is melted, strain the herbal mixture into a bowl.

Pour 2 to 2 1/2 oz of strained herbal tea into the 8 oz plastic bottle. Now, pour the 4 oz of castile soap into the 8 oz plastic bottle. Cap the bottle and shake to mix the ingredients.

The shampoo is now finished and ready for use. Use this as a base for all of the shampoos you make. You can add different herbs as you learn what these herbs do and how they help your hair. You can vary the ingredients according to your taste. But now you have a shampoo that has no additives that can harm you.

The source of the natural shampoo recipe is Pioneer Thinking.

If you have any of your own natural personal care or cosmetic recipes we would love for you to share them with us and our readers.

To begin understanding natural crystal deodorants, first it is necessary to explain why I say ‘natural crystal deodorants,’ versus just ‘crystal deodorants.’  Due to the rising demand of crystal deodorants, companies have been searching for ways to produce more with as little cost as possible.  This has led to the creation of synthetic crystal deodorant, because it is cheaper to chemically manufacture synthetic crystal deodorant than it is to extract the natural potassium alum crystal from the Earth.

For all tense and purposes this post will only focus on natural crystal deodorants.  If you would like more information regarding the difference of natural crystal deodorants and synthetic crystal deodorants, you can read the post:  What Everyone Ought to Know About Crystal Deodorant Stones.

What is it?

Lets begin by explaining the raw material of natural crystal deodorants.  Natural crystal deodorants are made from potassium alum, which is a naturally occurring sulfate mineral which typically occurs as encrustations on rocks.  It is derived from the oxidation of sulfide minerals and potassium-bearing minerals; and appears as a white to colorless translucent crystalline stone.  When it is extracted from the Earth large blocks of potassium alum crystal are shipped to crystal deodorant manufacturers, where the blocks are then cut, shaped, polished and packaged to form what we know as crystal deodorant.

As the name implies, the potassium alum stone, otherwise known as crystal deodorant, looks like a crystal, such that it is translucent, colorless and contains small fracture lines, or veins.  Below you can see a picture of a natural crystal deodorant stone made from potassium alum:

Crystal Deodorant Stone (potassium alum crystal)

What does it do?

Potassium alum has a variety of commercial applications, such as for the use of oral care products used in dental hygiene, water purification, food preservation, and as the sole ingredient of natural crystal deodorants.  Potassium alum is originally extracted from the Earth as large blocks, but it is also sold in a small crystal forms and powder to be used in a variety of commercial applications and cosmetics.  Since all forms of potassium alum are soluble in water, when the stone is wet or applied to wet skin, an invisible, fine layer of the mineral is rubbed off the stone and applied to the skins surface.  The mineral layer quickly dries, and rests on the skin as a completely topical layer.

How does it work?

When the human body sweats it is basically just releasing salt and water through sweat glands in the skin. Contrary to popular belief, sweat does not have a distinctive smell of its own. The smell associated with sweat is actually caused by bacteria on the skin that eats sweat and excretes waste; and it is the bacteria waste that produces a foul odor.  And, yes, everyone has bacteria on their skin, and it is perfectly normal.  The bacteria on our skin ordinarily does not produce a noticeable smell, but when sweat is present the bacteria begins to rapidly grow and produce an increasing amount of odor.

Potassium alum is a natural anti-microbial that inhibits the growth of odor-causing bacteria.  As an anti-microbial potassium alum adjusts the pH of the skins surface and creates an environment where bacteria cannot grow.  Therefore, odor is prevented, and the body is able to maintain its proper course of eliminating toxins through sweat, as well as controlling body temperature, all without odor.

How it differs from traditional deodorants and antiperspirants?

Firstly, natural crystal deodorants are just that, natural.  And that is the main difference.  There are no added chemicals or fragrances.  And, as previously mentioned, natural crystal deodorants allow the body to sweat, but without odor.  Traditional deodorants use chemical rich fragrances to mask odor and cover up the bad bacteria smell.  Antiperspirants block the skin from releasing sweat, thereby inhibiting the bacteria growth process. All antiperspirants have an aluminum-based compound as their main ingredient, such as:

• Aluminum chloride
• Aluminum zirconium tricholorohydrex glycine
• Aluminum chlorohydrate
• Aluminum hydroxybromide
• Aluminum hydroxide (ATH)

The aluminum ions are drawn into the cells that line the sweat gland at the top layer of skin. When the aluminum ions enter into the cells, water passes in with them. As more water flows in, the cells begin to swell, squeezing the sweat ducts closed and preventing sweat from escaping.

30 years ago it would be very difficult for even the most scrupulous natural product consumer to find crystal deodorant. The market was in its infancy, but the potential was clear. Crystal deodorant packs a mean combo of benefits. When applied to the skin it is entirely invisible and leaves no sticky or oily residue on the skin. Furthermore, it provides 24 hour protection and is fragrance free.

The impressive list of benefits matched with its 100% natural origin led to the transformation of the crystal deodorant market and created what most consumers today know as crystal deodorant. Companies were simply unwilling to endure the costly mineral extraction process, and through scientific advancements and thorough R&D, manufacturers discovered that potassium alum can be synthetically manufactured.  However, the synthetic mineral that is more commonly used in mainstream crystal deodorant is actually more closely associated to ammonium alum.

This is not to say all crystal deodorants are made with synthetic minerals, but there remain some clear visual differences in the product choices available.

Crystal Deodorant Appearance

Potassium alum is found in deposits in the Earth’s crust typically in the South American Andes and near the Mediterranean Sea. When potassium alum is extracted from the earth it is a colorless, translucent crystalline stone, also known as a mineral crystal.  Another more common mineral crystal that shares a similar appearance is quartz. Therefore, a truly natural crystal deodorant stone or stick that is made from unaltered potassium alum appears the same as the day it was extracted – colorless and translucent.

Below is a picture Natural Cosmetic News took comparing two crystal deodorants we found that were both labeled natural and listed the same ingredients. The one on the right is clearly colorless and translucent, and the one of the left is obviously opaque and white.

So, how is it that supposedly both products are natural and made of the exact same ingredient but appear different? Well, it is probably because the actual source of the ingredient is different, or at least the quality. It is quite simple to identify unaltered natural potassium alum due to its translucency. And the white opaqueness of the crystal deodorant pictured above is most likely a result of a key ingredient used during the manufacturing process of synthetic ammonium alum. Aluminum hydroxide, a white cosmetic opacifying agent, is used to make ammonium alum.

If the quality or the original source of the deodorizing ingredient is compromised the efficacy is too. Only 100% pure crystal deodorants, which have been clinically tested, provide the aforementioned benefits, but what about the impure ones?  Until the term “natural” becomes more regulated with stricter standards that eliminate synthetic replicas, the best judge for the true origin of the crystal deodorant is your own eye.

Natural crystal deodorants have become very popular in the last few years. The natural deodorant is made from potassium alum, which is a naturally occurring mineral salt found in quarries throughout the world. Potassium alum’s appearance can be described as a translucent crystalline stone that contains veins like those found in marble.

Potassium alum has many commercial applications, as well as varying natural benefits, but for the purpose of crystal deodorant, it prevents odor by stopping odor causing bacteria produced in sweat from growing. Therefore, it is quite different from traditional deodorants which use heavy fragrances to mask odor, or antiperspirants which use chemicals to clog pores and block sweat.

When potassium alum is used for deodorants it is commonly referred to as alum stone, crystal deodorant or deodorant stone, however they remain one and the same. And, it acts as a very effective odor preventing deodorant.

However, many people don’t know that synthetic deodorant stones do exist. Synthetic (non-natural) deodorant stones are chemically manufactured by synthesizing aluminum hydroxide with acid. And the final product looks very similar to the natural potassium alum stone. But, you can observe the difference between the synthetic stone and the natural stone – the synthetic stone is almost completely opaque, due to the presence of aluminum hydroxide, and the natural stone is translucent.

Natural Crystal Deodorant Test

Remember, just cause the label says it is natural, does not mean that it really is. The term natural is unregulated and over used. So, be careful what you believe. The best judge of crystal deodorants is your own eye.

Here’s a quick way to test if the deodorant stone is natural. Examine to see if the stone is translucent or opaque. Before purchasing, hold the stone in your hand, and if you can see your fingers and colors on the other side, then it is mostly likely natural. If you cannot make out objects or colors when holding the stone, it is most likely synthetically made.

Now, lets put what we now know to use. Take for example the crystal deodorant made by L’Occitane; it has a high price tag, listed at $21, and claims to be made from natural mineral salts, but when I closely looked at the product I was left unsure. The crystal deodorant stone appears very opaque (shown below), compared to the Tade crystal deodorant previously reviewed. So, in my eyes there is clearly a big difference.

L’Occitane Crystal Deodorant:

In a previous post, the Tade deodorant stone passed the natural test, and you can compare the visual difference of the two stones.

In conclusion, just cause the label claims to be natural, or made from potassium alum, it in fact does not mean it actually is 100% natural. I will continue to review crystal deodorants, and try my best to inform the reader of my investigation. In future posts, I will compare products side-by-side, examine benefits, and test their natural claims.

• Is natural deodorant truly natural, whereby not containing any synthetic ingredients or additional chemicals?
• Does it work?

For the purpose of this post, I am going to focus on one deodorant stone that I have personally tried and researched, Tade Natural Polished Alum Stone.  As for all the other crystal deodorants on the market, I am going to do my best to create a series of posts related to the above questions and attempt to review them all.

Tade Natural Polished Alum Stone

Tade Natural Polished Alum Stone claims to be 100% natural alum, and act as a body deodorant by reducing sweat causing odor, also relieving razor burn and tightening and lifting skin.

To begin, alum, which is what natural deodorant stones are made of, does occur naturally, and is mined in quarries throughout the world.  The difficulty in verifying whether it is natural or not lies in the fact that alum can be synthetically manufactured to form the identical chemical composition as its natural counterpart. However, synthetic alum is far from natural as it is made by reacting Aluminium trihydroxide (ATH) and acid.

So, I based my findings not on the chemical composition, which however is very important, but on the visual appearance of the stone, which my skill set is better suited for as I am not a chemist.

Is Tade Natural Alum Stone Actually 100% Natural?

I have discovered that natural alum appears as a white/clear, translucent, crystal stone that contains veins like those found in marble. And, the synthetic alum is visually very similar, except that it completely opaque, and does not contains veins.

The Tade alum stone clearly contains veins, and when I compared it side by side with other crystal deodorants it was significantly more translucent.  Therefore I conclude that it is in fact natural.  You can see below in the image the high level of translucency, and the clearly visible veins. Additionally, I contacted Tade directly, and they guaranteed me that it is 100% natural and made from pure, natural alum stone, not from synthetic alum.

Do Natural Deodorant Stones Work?

Well, speaking from my experience, and from the culmination of surveys, the answer is quite plainly – yes.  In fact it works very well.  However, it is not your traditional, mainstream fragrance loaded deodorant, or your chemical rich antiperspirant.  It allows your body to sweat normally and therefore control body temp, but it prevents the bacteria causing odor found in sweat from developing.

I live a very active lifestyle, always moving around in relatively hot climates.  I applied the Tade stone to my underarms in the morning after showering, and I remained odor free all day and well through the evening.  To say the least, I was very satisfied with the odor preventing effects.

I also have very sensitive skin, and have had frequent allergic reactions to mainstream deodorants.  However, the natural deodorant stone did not create any skin irritations. I even applied it to my face as an aftershave and it seemed to relieve razor burn. In addition, I was told first hand by women, and it is mentioned in AfroLatinas Blog, that if you rub the natural deodorant stone on your skin after waxing or shaving it is a great way to avoid razor bumps and/or irritation.