cruelty free deodorant that works???

After rereading the ingredients in the link I just posted I realized something.
The products containing these ingredients may not be tested on animals.
But, these ingredients themselves surely have been tested on animals.
Because when they say "some studies have shown toxic..." or " research has proven toxic...."
they sure were not studying or researching these effects on humans.
So non-toxic and safe for you, is also truly cruelty free.

I'm the one who reccomended the Natures' Gate brand, and I'm glad you posted what you did because it looks like the unscented stuff I talked about about has been/is being discontinued--I know, horrors (and pure stupidity on the part of the company in my opinion, *sigh*)!

Do you know if the Lavalin stuff comes in unscented or not? I'm going to have to find something to replace my Nature's Gate when it runs out (in about a year--hey, maybe *that's* why they discontinued it ;-), and the Lavalin sounds like it'll be just what I'm looking for. Of course I can always google it on my own....

Sorry to leave you hanging, grrlsix! :)

OK, results of test #2: good. I have been using the crystal consistently since that last post for work, dance and karate. It's been nearly a month of high-humidity Philadelphia weather. I'm not only still using the stuff, but also have no plans as of yet to switch to anything else.

The one drawback to the crystal is that you have to put it on right after showering or washing the area, which makes late day touchups a non option unless you can wash your armpits. Since the crystal is a barrier it can't be useful if applied overtop sweaty, bacteria-ridden, late-day armpits. But the roll-on option is a good portable backup if you have some wet wipes or something to clean up with first before you dry off and reapply. I think that's reasonable.

As for me, I was on a trip and can't find the roll on I bought with the crystal, so I can't report back on using it as a late day backup after using wipes (though I love the way it sounds in theory). I do have a scented body spray that I have kept handy (paranoia, you recall) to use not on my underarms but on my shoulders and torso at such times as I would typically be reapplying regular deoderant. The good news is that it hasn't really been necessary, but it does make me feel a little better just in case :p

OK, so essentially I say to anyone thinking about this, try it for a week. Why not?

How I use the crystal:
After showering I dry off, then wet a hand and wipe it on the skin to make sure my underarms are a little wet. (You can, of course, just leave them wet without drying off, but that could leave them a little too wet for the crystal to leave anything on you). I pass the crystal once under the faucet, then I apply for about 20 seconds under each arm to make sure the whole area is well-covered (paranoia finally serves me well!). I find that the crystal should move smoothly over your skin. If it stutters, your skin is not wet enough. If it's super slick, your skin is a little too wet.
As it dries it leaves a very thin film that you can juuust barely see if you really look, but then it disappears. Just wetting the crystal and applying it to a dry underarm did not work as well for me - that's what I did the first time I ever tried this crystal thing, and as mentioned, I tossed it.

Deoderant balls: gone. Ring-around-the-armpit: gone. I still feel like I'm experimenting, but again, so far so good, and no plans to switch out. Thanks to prior posters for the tips, and everyone else, keep the tips/questions/suggestions coming.

excellent info - thanks

sometimes i put a few drops of lavender oil on the crystal after i wet it; it seems to help with the anti-bacterial action and help the crystal last longer.

and it smells good. (if you like lavender, that is).