For years, I’ve been concerned about the aluminum in traditional antiperspirants because of possible health risks. But when I was a teen, I had “problem perspiration” and my grandmother sewed dress shields (half moon shaped fabric) into the armholes of my dresses and good blouses. Thankfully, I grew out of it, but I’ve always thought of myself as someone who needed a strong antiperspirant. These days, I really don’t perspire very much at all.
Over the past few months, I’ve read a number of reviews of natural deodorants from beauty bloggers I follow including a couple of reviews on LaVanila’s Healthy Deodorant. During the Sephora VIB event in April, I decided to give it a try. I bought the Pure Vanilla version.
It’s an easy to apply solid stick, soft enough that it goes on smoothly. Although it’s an off-white shade, it’s not white or even visible on my skin, it doesn’t come off on my clothes. It has a subtle vanilla-ish scent, and I don’t smell it when I’m wearing it.
It works by a combination of natural antioxidants, anti-bacterials and oils:
- Beta-Glucan Technology: Promotes healthy skin and fights odor with a complex of powerful antioxidants, anti-bacterial agents, and polysaccharides.
- Goji Berry: Provides powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action, 21 essential minerals, and 18 amino acids.
- Japanese Honeysuckle: Acts as a natural preservative and an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agent.
- Lichen Lemon and Tea Tree Oils: Prevent the growth of odor-causing bacteria; provide safe, long-lasting protection sans harsh chemicals or alcohol.
So far, it has kept me dry and smelling good. It hasn’t been super hot and humid here yet, so I can’t say I’ve given it the extreme heat test.
Phyrra in her recent empties post mentioned that LaVanila has a Sport Luxe version that may be “stronger”.
The regular version comes in a variety of scents: Pure Vanilla, Vanilla Lavender, Vanilla Grapefruit, Vanilla Summer, Vanilla Coconut, and Fresh Vanilla Lemon. The Pure Vanilla also comes in a travel size – if I’d known that, I probably would’ve tried out the travel size, but so far, I’m having good results.
It’s 100% natural, free of aluminum, has no parabens, and is not tested on animals.
Ingredients Pure Vanilla: Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (Aloe Juice, Water), Propanediol (Corn Derived), Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, Sodium Stearate (Coconut Derived), Silica, Carrageenan (Seaweed Derived), Stearyl Behenate (Coconut Derived), Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon Peel Oil), Inulin (Artichoke Derived), Saccharomyces Ferment, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide (Sugar Derived), Yeast Beta Glucan, Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Usnea Barbata (Lichen) Extract, Valeriana Officinalis Root Extract (Valerian), Hydrastis Canadensis (Goldenseal) Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract (Goji Berry), Botanical Fragrance Blend.
LaVanila The Healthy Deodorant is priced at $14 for 1.7 oz and the Sport Luxe is $16. The travel size contains 0.9 oz and is $8. It can be purchased on the LaVanila website, at Sephora, Macy’s, dermstore.com, Target, Amazon etc.
I have been using crystal deodorant since last year after reading how many chemicals are in the normal store bought ones. I think I’ve read about this before but it must have slipped my mind, will need to stalk Sephora now and check how much it is in $CAD.
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Is crystal deodorant a brand or a form of natural deo? So far, I’m satisfied with LaVanila but I guess I’ll see how it goes once it gets really hot!
Crystal is a form of deodorant – basically looks like a large salt hunk. It’s supposed to last for 5 years! I have tried one, and really liked it, but you can’t just swipe it on like a regular stick – you have to wet and rub it on.
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Oh yes, I’ve seen the crystals but I never knew how to apply them or how they worked. Interesting!
I love their deodorants, and I wear this scent nearly every single day!
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I have the LaVanila Sport Luxe Deo and while it smells lovely, it won’t keep me “dry” .. but I’ll use it when I know I’m having a chill kinda day .. not doing to much and it works perfectly well.
Monica.
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Good to know, Monica, that it may not be any “stronger” than the regular versions of LaVanila.
I’d be interested to know how it holds up in extreme heat. I haven’t yet found a “natural” deodorant that works for really hot days, but if this brand does that would be wonderful!
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I’ll loop back in about it, but I think stage of life may have something to do with it. As I mentioned, as I got older I don’t perspire very much. One of the few benefits of aging.
Love this deodorant, it’s one of my favorites! And funny story, I always used to misspell LaVanila and wrote it as La Vanilla 🙂
I did the same thing, Anastasia. I never noticed that it didn’t have the double ls until I bought the deo and looked at it everyday!
I love the scent but unfortunately I need something stronger.
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Everyone has different body chemistry so that makes sense. I still do have a backup Secret just in case. Frankly, I was surprised that it has worked for me, but as I said, I don’t perspire nearly as much as I’ve gotten older. But my final assessment will happen in July when it gets hot and humid.
I used the Lemon Vanilla in the winter but now I need something a little stronger.
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I’m curious to see how it goes once the temperatures and humidity really kick in. But for winter and spring, it’s been fine.
I love this deo!! I use this one and the lavender scent!
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I’m glad that I’m finding so many fans of this lovely natural deo. I’m hoping it will work as well as it does now once the hot, humid weather kicks in
I’ve wanted to try this but just haven’t taken the effort to just yet. It really sounds like a great alternative to your average deodorant.
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It took me a really long time to try it, Bailey. I was afraid that it wouldn’t be strong enough and that I’d end up wasting my money. The travel size is a really good way to test it out with less of an investment. I’ve been satisfied so far. I haven’t missed my Secret A/P at all, but I have kept it around in case the natural deo isn’t enough when it gets really hot and humid. We’ll see
I have tried this brand. It was nice and I know it is the healthier choice but one of my favorite splurges is Donna Karan Cashmere Mist deodorant. It is a guilty pleasure for me.
I’m so glad you mentioned the Cashmere Mist deo, Laura. I love Cashmere Mist. I have the perfume spray and the bath oil that makes a great, long lasting perfume. Heavenly scent! Do you know if the DK deo is natural or without aluminum??
Probably as far from natural or without aluminum as you can get but I love the scent, how well it applies and even works for me the entire next day without reapplication. I do not own anything else from this scent but the deo and even have my Mother hooked on it as well. I have read that a lot of women like the scent of the deodorant the best out of anything made in this scent. Since I own nothing else I cannot say how it differs from the perfume its self.
Regardless of the natural angle, I will have to try it because I just love the Cashmere Mist scent and it would be nice to use it when I wear the oil and perfume. I’ll be keeping my eyes peeled for sales on fragrance.net! Someday, you should try the oil. It’s amazing!
I have been a big fan of Lavanilla deodorants for years now. Good stuff.
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Glad you’re a fan too!
Oh I like Lavanilla! … which reminds me, I need to re-stock!
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I was so pleasantly surprised by this. Yes, worth repurchasing!
I like the Lemon Vanilla in the regular, but I need the Sport Luxe for if I’m leaving the house. Thanks for mentioning me!
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Thanks for letting me know about the Sport Luxe!
Mine worked really well during the winter, but like you said – the true test will be this summer!
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True, we’ll see!
I’ve heard wonderful things about this line… I can’t wait to hear from you how it holds up in the heat!!
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I’ll let everyone know!
I’ve been thinking about this a lot. I think you and I talked about it before when you got your Sephora order. I’m thinking about putting it to the desert summer test!
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So far so good for me! Let me know how it goes, Shelley
I’ve tried a few natural deodorants, and really like them – especially the nicely fragranced ones! I need to try this brand, though – I’ve heard only positives about their scents.
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So far, I’ve had good luck with LaVanila, but I don’t sweat that much and we’ve only had a few hot, humid days so far. Hopefully it’ll continue to work!