Being allergic to propylene glycol (especially PG) and other common chemicals makes it difficult to find a deodorant that actually works. Every deodorant I see being advertised has PG in the ingredients as well as who-knows-how-many other chemicals. Propylene glycol is used as a vehicle to dissolve other substances into and it can make products last longer as well.
The products that are free of most chemicals, like Crystal Deodorant or just plain baby powder… don’t seem to work. At least not on their own.
I’ve found that the combination of three products can get me through the day, though.
Here’s my current solution:
Wash underarms with Dial Deodorant soap in my morning and after-work showers:
I only use it on my underarms and feet because the active ingredient, Triclocarban, is kinda strong and there’s a lot of stuff in it (including PEG, but I’m not allergic to that). Read more about the active ingredient in the soap here.
Then I touch up with Thick N’ Kleen wipes during the day as needed. I even keep some in a ziploc bag in my purse.
After using the wipes, I pat under my underarms dry and apply some CVS baby powder:
And voila! All set!
Granted, “fragrance” doesn’t tell us much of anything, but this one doesn’t seem to bother me.
What’s your solution?
I’m also allergic to PG, and I use the Dove invisible dry roll-on deodorant which seems to work fine for me (for like 7 monhts now). This is the list of ingredients, could you check if its indeed free from PG?
Aqua, Aluminum Zirconium Pentachlorohydrate, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Steareth-2, Parfum, Steareth-20, Tocopheryl Acetate, Citric acid, Potassium lactate, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Benzyl alcohol, Benzyl Salicylate, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Citronellol, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hydroxycitronellal, Limonene, Linalool
http://www.nl.dove.com/nl/Producten/Deodorant/Roll-on/Invisble-Dry-Deodorant-RollOn.aspx
Aw, thanks for much for the suggestion! I’m supposed to avoid all oils that aren’t extra virgin or expeller pressed, so I’d have to find out about that oil… I’ll look it up on the chart I use. I think I remember that the Dove roll-on was a no-go, but now I want to double check
The chart isn’t loading up right now, but here’s what I’m talking about: http://scheman.com/images/Brochures/acag.pdf
I saw that the wipes have that ingredient, phenoxyethanol. Any thoughts on that chemical? I shared an article on it in the Propylene Glycol list of products post. I’m seeing phenoxyethanol in lots of products as well. I’m not sure how avoidant to be with it but I think it was problematic for me in one of my make-up products.
You know, I still need to do research on that one, so I don’t have an answer
I also wondered if you could help me to understand the chart of allergens on Dr. Scheman’s website. I’m a little confused between the two types of allergens and they play into selecting products. Right now, I select products based on what I know from patch testing and experience with reactions but I know that I have only had limited testing and am concerned about what to avoid.
Are you talking about the spreadsheet with all the different products? I’m confused about what you’re asking exactly. The two types of allergens?? If it’s easier, send me an email and we can figure this out! theallergista@gmail.com
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