<p>Well, it does seem that just about anything and everything is discussed on this board so here goes…years ago I’d heard that aluminum zirconium (the active ingredient in anti-perspirant) might be correlated with memory function. I’ve never had a great memory and it’s definitely getting worse as I age. I have read that the correlation was never proven. Still, it occurs to me that using the exact same (very effective) product on my body daily for over 30 years now, it could have some effect (memory or other). I really was getting worried about my memory and three months ago decided to stop using my anti-perspirant. Whether it’s psychological or actual, I feel like my memory (or that feeling of not being able to think of a word or saying the wrong word) has actually gotten better or, I seem to not have these problems as often.</p>
<p>Well, the warm weather’s coming and the “shower to shower” powder I’ve been using won’t cut it for much longer. I’ve tried about 3 different ‘natural’ products such as Tom’s and find them ineffective. If you’ve read this far, my question is, do you use an anti-perspirant alternative that doesn’t have aluminum zirconium in it that is effective?</p>
<p>Rubbing alcohol with a bit of lavender oil mixed in. Kills the bacteria that cause the odors. Works best if you don’t have a lot of underarm hair.</p>
<p>No underarm hair = shaving. Shaving then rubbing alcohol - sounds like a recipe for a big ouch.</p>
<p>Interesting though. Does it really work. We have family members (my Mum and my husband) who can get away with not wearing anti antiperspirant and deodorant and don’t get BO. Then there are the rest of us. I can’t even get away with it the winter without getting embarrassing major BO. Does rubbing alcohol and lavender oil really work?</p>
<p>I like L’Occitane products. The verbena stick is aluminum free and it works fantastically well. They also sell a crystal stone, which I haven’t tried. The products are a bit pricier, but they last so much longer than grocery store products that the product use cost is about the same. The verbena scent is wonderful.</p>
<p>My sister has had luck (for 40 years) by not eating a lot of beef. In high school she really smelled, but hasn’t worn deodorant/anti-perspirant in years.</p>
<p>dmd - isopropanol does work great as a deodorant (by killing odor-causing bacteria)! I use a paper towel soaked in IPA to lightly wipe my dog’s coat to get rid of that infamous wet dog smell.</p>
<p>Don’t use any of the crystal products if you want to avoid aluminum. The crystal/rock/stome products that you rub under the arms are natural, problem is they are natural alum–which is an aluminum salt. There are many brands of the crystal type product, Crystal brand is one.</p>
<p>Yes, it does contain aluminum salts, but the chemical composition of the salts is different. I do not buy into this aluminum hysteria, I just like to use something that does not have a scent and works :)</p>
<p>There were studies done many years ago linking aluminum and Alzheimer’s, but recent studies suggest that it is unlikely that aluminum contamination plays any role in Alzheimer’s. [Aluminium</a> and Alzheimer’s disease - Alzheimer’s Society](<a href=“http://alzheimers.org.uk/factsheet/406]Aluminium”>http://alzheimers.org.uk/factsheet/406)</p>