body odor, deodorant alternative 1/2
my armpits got real funky-smelling these past few months, for hormone-related reasons. I've been using crystal deodorant (ammonium alum) for decades with no problems, but it just wasn't working anymore. (I dislike conventional deodorants, & antiperspirant is a no-go for me.)
the solution I found was milk of magnesia! it's cheap, effective, has no odor of its own, & is available at all drug stores in the US. it reduced my stank to manageable levels right away!
body odor, deodorant alternative 2/2
it works by changing the pH of your skin to something the smelly bacteria can't thrive in.
(note that one of its other uses is as a laxative, so don't ingest it if you just want to stink less. shake it up, dip your fingers in or pour a little in the palm of your hand, and apply directly and generously to your clean pits.)
body odor, deodorant alternative 2/2
@twistylittlepassages oh thats a neat trick! & your skin wasnt bothered by the pH change?
body odor, deodorant alternative 2/2
@twistylittlepassages good to know!
body odor, deodorant alternative 2/2
@Satsuma it hasn't been so far, and I've been doing this for 2+ weeks now!
the website where I found the suggestion (earthclinic.com, which is semi-sketchy for serious health matters but useful for minor home remedies) mentioned you might occasionally get a red bump from a swollen sweat gland, but that it'll go away if you just skip a day. this hasn't happened to me yet though