Onions. If anything (at least to me) smells like onions (besides onions) it’s smelly armpits. And did you know that whenever that goes down, the odor isn’t caused by the sweat itself? Nope, it’s actually the bacteria on your skin, mixing in with the sweat, that is the source of all of the drama.
And that’s why antiperspirants are so popular; they help to reduce sweating. And deodorants (because yes, they are different)? They help to decrease the smell without really stopping the sweat. However, the potential issue with both of these is they sometimes contain chemicals that can mess with your hormones.
And while we’re here, if you’ve heard that the chemical aluminum (which is found in antiperspirants only; folks just tend to use deodorant and antiperspirant interchangeably which is actually what I’m about to do, moving forward) can lead to breast cancer, here’s the thing. Although many researchers have said that there isn’t enough evidence to back that up, elevated amounts of it can lead to weakened bones or even an Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis — so, just to be on the safe side, if you want to go with a commercialized brand of antiperspirant or deodorant, an aluminum-free one would probably be your best bet.
And what if you want to forego the stores altogether and try something that is as natural as possible? Well, if your main focus is to reduce the smell, make sure that your armpits are clean, that there is as little hair there as possible (hair traps sweat and odor), and that you wear clothing that allows your pits to breathe (oh, and watch your stress levels too).
Beyond that, you can try the following 10 deodorant alternatives that are pretty effective — especially when it comes to eliminating that “onion” stank that none of us want to deal with…ever.
1. Witch Hazel
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Something that I will forever-and-a-day sing the praises of is witch hazel — more than anything because, for all of the benefits that it provides, it continues to be pretty inexpensive. Skin-wise, you can use witch hazel as a skin toner; a way to reduce the inflammation of your pimples; as something that helps to reduce the irritation that is associated with bug bites; an all-natural remedy that helps to protect your skin from outdoor pollution; something that works to soothe an irritated scalp or symptoms that are directly associated with psoriasis and eczema — the list goes on and on.
The reason why it works as an effective deodorant alternative is due to the fact that witch hazel contains astringent properties that can help to reduce the size of the pores that you sweat out of as well as decrease the bacteria that causes the odor that’s within your pits. If you’d like to create a witch hazel spray for your underarms, there’s a cool recipe here.
2. Coconut Oil and Baking Soda
It’s kind of wild, how many acids are in coconut oil. For starters, there’s caprylic acid (which contains antibacterial and antifungal properties); lauric acid (which has anti-inflammatory properties); oleic acid (which deeply moisturizes); linoleic acid (which strengthens your skin’s barrier), and capric acid (which works to smooth and soften your skin). All of these acids work together to soothe dry skin, unclog pores, and reduce skin inflammation.
As far as baking soda goes, the properties in it helps to exfoliate your skin; it works as a spot treatment for pimples; it can soothe your skin after you finish shaving it; it can help to cleanse and soften your nail cuticles, and if you’ve got psoriasis and you soak in a baking soda bath, it can bring relief to those symptoms as well.
This combo is a winner as far as deodorant alternatives go. Coconut oil can kill the bacteria that cause the odor while baking soda can help to absorb the sweat; plus, its antimicrobial properties can reduce some of the odor too.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar
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There are all kinds of things that apple cider vinegar is able to do; however, when it comes to your skin, specifically, you should consider using it because it’s able to deeply clean and exfoliate your skin; tone and hydrate your skin; kill bacteria that leads to pimples; lightens the appearance of hyperpigmentation that comes from breakouts, and it can help to balance the pH balance of your skin.
Since the vinegar that’s in it contains pathogens that kill bacteria, that’s why apple cider vinegar could help to get rid of the body odor that’s underneath your arms. For the record, it’s also a potent ingredient if you want to detox your pits which is a wise thing to do from time to time (check out “When's The Last Time You Detoxed Your Armpits?”).
4. Dusting Powder
Several years ago, Allure published an article entitled, “Switching to Natural Powder Deodorant Stopped My Underarm Rashes.” It wasn’t until then that I knew that dusting powders even existed. These can be a smart deodorant alternative, simply because they are designed to reduce moisture and odor without the use of harsh chemicals or the possibility of being damaging to your skin. A brand that gets pretty rave reviews is Herb & Root. You can look more into why by going here.
5. Essential Oil Blend
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Some of y’all already know that every chance I get, I’m going to shout out essential oils (check out “You'd Be Amazed How Much These 10 Essential Oils Can Give You Some Blissful Sleep,” “10 Essential Oils That Are Great For Feminine Hygiene (And A Few Other Things),” “10 Essential Oil Beauty Hacks I Bet You Didn't Know About,” and “6 Different Places To Apply Essential Oils. And Why.”).
They are bomb when it comes to this topic because the powerful antibacterial and antifungal qualities in many of the oils will not only help to fight the bacteria that cause underarm odor, but the scent of many of them is divine as well. Some to apply (along with a carrier oil like grapeseed or almond, so that the strength of the oil doesn’t irritate your skin) that will get the job done include lavender, clove, lemongrass, cinnamon, orange, patchouli, and peppermint.
6. Cornstarch
As someone who has a fungal sensitivity and has also been blessed with some H-cups (I mean…), I’ve had a few pretty nasty yeast infections underneath my breasts before (check out “What To Do For Yeast Infections (On Other Parts Of Your Body)”) — and something that has helped to heal them is cornstarch from the aspect of absorbing the moisture that yeast likes to thrive in. Cornstarch can benefit you in other beauty-related ways including being able to use it as a dry shampoo, a gentle exfoliant, or as a way to instantly turn your lipstick from glossy to matte.
And yes, cornstarch makes the deodorant alternative list because of how well it is able to absorb moisture. Plus, if you add coconut oil and an essential oil to the mix — you’ve got a DIY deodorant that should last you for hours on end.
7. Aloe Vera
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Aloe vera is a plant that benefits your skin in a ton of different ways. It’s high in hydration. It helps to increase collagen production in your skin. It helps to reduce breakouts. It soothes the itchiness and dryness of your scalp. It decreases skin inflammation (like the kind that is associated with eczema and psoriasis). It speeds up the healing process of minor skin issues. It even helps to fade stretch marks.
If you’ve got a plant in your house (or some 100 percent pure Aloe vera gel lying around), cut off a piece and rub it directly underneath your pits. The antibacterial and antiseptic properties in the plant will prevent odor while keeping your pits feeling soft and smooth in the process.
8. Glycolic Acid
Glycolic acid is a type of alpha-hydroxy acid that, skin-wise, is able to do everything from minimize the appearance of your pores, exfoliate dead skin cells, and unclog pores to even out skin tone, protect skin from damaging UV rays and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. I’ve used it in some of my chemical peels before (check out “I've Been Doing At-Home Chemical Peels. Here Are The Pros And Cons.”) and yes, it is the truth.
As far as applying it as a deodorant alternative, glycolic acid gets a bit of mixed reviews. While some skin specialists say that its antibacterial properties aren’t strong enough to fight the kind of body odor that transpires underneath your underarms (here), others say that so long as your skin isn’t super sensitive, glycolic acid has the ability to decrease odor — well, if you don’t mix it with other products (here).
That’s because, doing so, could alter the pH balance of the skin that’s under your arms in a way that actually amplifies your body odor. Otherwise, glycolic acid alone can actually lower your pH balance in a way that makes odor less of an issue. Hey, it’s worth a shot.
9. Rubbing Alcohol
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Because alcohol is so drying, it’s not really something that you should apply to your skin on a consistent basis; that’s probably why it’s used more as a cleaner and disinfectant for tasks around the house than anything else. That’s not to say that it can’t help you out if you happen to be in a bind as far as your underarms are concerned, though.
Since it is such a potent astringent, rubbing alcohol is something else that can (temporarily) make your pores smaller and reduce the bacteria in your pits. Just make sure that you don’t use it right after shaving unless you want your skin to STING sting.
10. All-Natural Deodorant
And then there’s all-natural deodorant which is simply a deodorant that doesn’t contain harsh chemicals like talc, aluminum, parabens, phthalates, and fragrance. And although, again, the American Cancer Society still maintains that there is not enough scientific evidence to link breast cancer with antiperspirants or deodorants, if you want to be on the safer side, chemical-free deodorants are the way to go.
If you’d like to see some options that you are able to choose from, check out Allure’s “15 Best Natural Deodorants That Actually Work,” Byrdie’s “The 10 Best Natural Deodorants I Tested That Truly Keep Odor in Check” and Independent’s “18 best natural deodorants that are kinder to your skin.”
BONUS: Hand Sanitizer
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If you’re really in a jam, believe it or not, something that can help you out is hand sanitizer. Since it’s loaded with alcohol and is literally designed to kill bacteria on contact, that’s why you can trust it to work if you happened to run out of the house without putting deodorant on — or you forget to apply one of these deodorant alternatives.
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Onions. When it comes to smelling like them, now you know what you can do that is safe, holistically beneficial (as far as your skin is concerned), and will get you through those rough days. I mean, at the very least, keep some sanitizer in your purse.
Life comes at you fast. Always be prepared. Pits ‘n all, chile. Pits. And. All.
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While speaking to xoNecole, Eva shares that she’s a lot like the beloved 1994 character in many ways. “Lyric is so me. She's the odd flower. A flower nonetheless, but definitely not a peony,” she tells us.
“She's not the average flower you see presented, and so she reminds me of myself. I'm a sunflower, beautiful, but different. And what I loved about her character then, and even more so now, is that she was very sure of herself.
"Sure of what she wanted in life and okay to sacrifice her moments right now, to get what she knew she deserved later. And that is me. I'm not an instant gratification kind of a person. I am a long game. I'm not a sprinter, I'm a marathon.
America first fell in love with Eva when she graced our screens on cycle 3 of America’s Next Top Model in 2004, which she emerged as the winner. Since then, she's ventured into different avenues, from acting on various TV series like House of Payne to starring on Real Housewives of Atlanta.
Je-Caryous Johnson Entertainment
Eva praises her castmates and the play’s producer, Je’Caryous for her positive experience. “You know what? Je’Caryous fuels my audacity car daily, ‘cause I consider myself an extremely audacious woman, and I believe in what I know, even if no one else knows it, because God gave it to me. So I know what I know. That is who Je’Caryous is.”
But the mom of three isn’t the only one in the family who enjoys acting. Eva reveals her daughter Marley has also caught the acting bug.
“It is the most adorable thing you can ever see. She’s got a part in her school play. She's in her chorus, and she loves it,” she says. “I don't know if she loves it, because it's like, mommy does it, so maybe I should do it, but there is something about her.”
Overall, Eva hopes that her contribution to the role and the play as a whole serves as motivation for others to reach for the stars.
“I want them to walk out with hope. I want them to re-vision their dreams. Whatever they were. Whatever they are. To re-see them and then have that thing inside of them say, ‘You know what? I'm going to do that. Whatever dream you put on the back burner, go pick it up.
"Whatever dream you've accomplished, make a new dream, but continue to reach for the stars. Continue to reach for what is beyond what people say we can do, especially as [a] Black collective but especially as Black women. When it comes to us and who we are and what we accept and what we're worth, it's not about having seen it before. It's about knowing that I deserve it.”
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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Thinking about them kinda-sorta inspired this piece because they caused me to reflect on the times when some of my clients have come to me, semi-freaking out, and it was because their thoughts about someone had gone beyond “Hey, she’s pretty” or “Hey, he looks good.” Instead, they were starting to fantasize about certain folks, and they weren’t sure what to do about it, especially when some of those fantasies were transpiring while they were engaging in sex with someone else.
You know, it’s been reported that somewhere around 50 percent of people do indeed have fantasies about other people while having sex with another person. And that is definitely a high enough number to tackle some things about the topic here.
If you’re someone who fantasizes about other individuals, especially sexually, here’s some intel into why that could be the case, along with when it gets to the point and place where you might want to consider actually doing something about it.
What’s a Fantasy and What Exactly Causes Them?
GiphyWhenever you think of the word “fantasy,” what immediately comes to your mind?
Personally, what I find to be interesting is the fact that the dictionary says that there are actually a lot of things that can be considered a fantasy: your imagination, hallucinations, visions, ingenious inventions, illusions — I mean, there is even a genre of fiction that falls into the fantasy category. However, when it comes to what we’re going to discuss today, a psychological term for fantasy is “an imagined or conjured up sequence fulfilling a psychological need; daydream.”
And yes, before we get to the end of all of this, that definition is going to answer quite a few questions as it pertains to the topic of this particular piece. But first, more about the origin story of fantasies.
Apparently famed neurologist, Sigmund Freud spent some time analyzing fantasies and came to the conclusion that, more than anything else, a fantasy represents something that is either a suppressed urge or desire and when you stop to think about what you imagine, what your visions are, what you may long to invent — that certainly tracks. However, something that you should also keep in mind about fantasies is that, oftentimes, they are rooted in few boundaries and can even go well beyond what is considered to be reality (which is something that is based on facts and truth).
Oh, something else that needs to be kept in mind about fantasies is that they are typically relied on as a mental form of escape from something or someone (bookmark that).
And now that fantasies are more clearly defined, if your immediate question is, “Is it wrong to fantasize?” — no, I certainly don’t think that. What I do believe, based on what a fantasy is, though, is if you are fantasizing a lot about a particular person, place, thing or idea, it would be a good idea to ponder why that is the case — why is that a suppressed desire for you, why are you using that as a mental escape and perhaps, the most important question of all, does your fantasy come with any limits?
Now let’s build on top of this…
Now What Causes Folks to Fantasize About Other People?
GiphyAs I was doing more research on the topic of fantasies, I came across an article entitled, “What Happens In Our Brains When We Fantasize About Someone.” The author of it started the piece out by talking about a cool connection that she made with someone on a plane, only for her to find herself fantasizing about him once they parted ways. As she went deeper into her story, she mentioned a word that definitely needs to be shared here: heuristics.
If you’re not familiar with it, heuristics is simply a mental shortcut. For instance, if you find yourself needing to make a quick decision (check out “Before You Make A Life-Altering Decision, Read This.”), you may rely on heuristics to do it (even if it’s subconsciously). The challenge with that is oftentimes heuristics will only provide you with a limited amount of data and information, and relying only on that could cause you to not make the best choice, if you’re not careful. And boy, when heuristics jump into your fantasy space — well, something that immediately comes to my mind is celebrity culture.
Ain’t it wild how people will be on social media, speaking so confidently, about someone—or someone’s relationship—as if they personally know them (when they absolutely don’t)? I mean, just because someone is attractive or you’ve seen them carry themselves well in an interview or two, that doesn’t automatically mean that they are the ideal person or that they are someone to set your own dating standards by. If you’re not careful, though, heuristics and fantasies may encourage you to think otherwise.
That’s because the combo will try and get your brain to jump to all sorts of conclusions and, if you don’t keep that in check, it could result in you making premature, counterproductive, or even straight-up reckless decisions — because remember, a fantasy tends to be about suppressing an urge or desire.
Honestly, whether you are in a relationship or not, if you are fantasizing about a particular individual, understanding why you are doing that should definitely be explored.
However, if you are with someone and you’re fantasizing about someone else, you really shouldn’t ignore what is transpiring because, although by definition, there’s a good chance that whatever and whomever you are fantasizing about will never come to pass, the fact that it’s taking up some of your mental and emotional space, that needs to be acknowledged. Because if there is something that you want or need, and you seem to believe that your fantasies are better at supplying that for you than the reality of your relationship, why is that?
Let’s keep going…
What Does (or Could) It Mean If You Fantasize About Someone Else During Sex?
GiphyIt’s pretty common that a random song will come to mind whenever I’m writing an article. Today? It was Guy’s “My Fantasy.” Then a sitcom did — King of Queens, and the episode when Doug and Carrie were talking about his sexual fantasies. The song is about images that the fellas randomly have about beautiful women. The episode was about Carrie wanting to dictate to Doug what and whom he could fantasize about because some of his sexual fantasies made her feel uncomfortable or intimidated.
And both of these are a pretty solid intro into whether there is something wrong with sexually fantasizing about someone, especially while having sex with someone else. Well, before getting into all of that, I think another article that I read on the topic brings up a pretty good point — that it’s important to think about where your fantasies are coming from: your imagination, things you see on social media, porn that you may have watched, people who you actually know…and if it’s the latter, is it someone from your past or someone from your present?
Yeah, knowing the source of your fantasies can definitely help you to understand how “deep” into your fantasies you might be.
What I mean by that is, seeing a beautiful man one time and randomly thinking about what it would be like to have sex with him on some beach vacation is quite different than constantly thinking about your ex, the sex you used to have with him and then fantasizing about it For one thing, the beautiful guy, you will probably never have access to. That ex, though? Well, at the very least, that is a bit more realistic, right?
Then there’s the fact that, again, a fantasy is a suppressed urge or desire. When it comes to the beautiful man, is it his looks that you long for, or is it something deeper? And that ex of yours? Lawd, now why, when you have your own man in your own bed, is your ex “scratching some sort of itch”? Because we all know what they say — “he’s your ex for a reason,” so why is he creeping up into your intimacy space now that the relationship is over? Is something unresolved?
Are there sexual needs that he met that your current partner isn’t (check out “You Love Him. You Prefer Sex With Your Ex. What Should You Do?”)? Is something currently transpiring in your current relationship that you are using fantasies about your ex to escape from?
You see, although when it comes to the topic of fantasizing about others when you’re having sex with someone else might seem like the a cut-and-dried, “Don’t do it, end of discussion” — as someone who works with couples for a living, I think the bigger concern isn’t if another guy comes into your mind during sex with your partner…it’s more about WHY is that happening to begin with. Because if you need to escape from where you are, if you can’t be present with your partner, something is definitely up.
When Should You Be Concerned About the Fantasies You Are Having?
GiphyDuring the last several months of breaking up (because we all know that sometimes breaking up is a process) with the last boyfriend whom I will have in this lifetime, I recall fantasizing about other people while having sex with him. It’s because I really wasn’t attracted to or interested in him, sexually, anymore — but I was a bit fearful of what it would mean to let the entire relationship go.
And boy, is that a huge red flag because I wasn’t fantasizing about some random famous person one time during sex — I was relying on images, my imagination, and previous experiences with other people to literally get me through the act. NOT. GOOD.
Y’all, one of the greatest and most profound forms of communication and connection between two people is sexual intimacy, and so, when it transpires, it really should only be about the two of them. That said, should you freak out over a thought about someone who creeps up into your mind every once in a while? Chile, more people have that happen than they will ever admit out loud.
On the other hand, should you worry if you’re like I was? I’ll put it this way — you should definitely be concerned because the last thing that you should be feeling during sex with someone is like you are suppressing what you need and/or that you want to escape from the moments that you are experiencing with them.
And yet, if that is indeed the case, though, what should you do?
Start with doing some sex journaling. Write down your fantasies, the sources of them, and why you are leaning on them in this season (check out “The Art Of Sex Journaling (And Why You Should Do It)”). If they are tied to unrealistic situations, be real with yourself about that. If they are rooted in potential possibilities, do some journaling about how much you are “feeding into” that reality and what you think would be the wisest way to move forward, both for your sake as well as your relationship.
Talk to your partner. Each relationship is different, and so, while I’m not going to recommend that everyone just blurt out that they’ve been thinking about having sex with their co-worker or college sweetheart while having sex with their partner, I do think that the suppressed urges and desires (in general) should be mentioned. Sometimes, fantasies are birthed out of boredom (check out “If You're Not Having Great Sex, This Is (Probably) Why” and “Common Sex Problems Couples Have (& How To Fix 'Em)”) and doing something like creating a sex bucket list (check out “This Is How To Create The Best Kind Of ‘Sex Bucket List’”) can breathe new life into your bedroom.
Plus, sharing some of your deepest thoughts, feelings, and needs (in a kind, thoughtful, and mature way) can cultivate more emotional intimacy with your partner, and that can definitely be a good thing.
Consider seeing a sex therapist. If, after doing both of these things, the fantasies seem to be getting stronger and louder, you might need to make an appointment with a reputable sex therapist (check out “Have You Ever Wondered If You Should See A Sex Therapist?”). They may be able to help you to “connect some dots” about what’s going on that you wouldn’t have considered without their help, because sex therapists are trained in helping individuals sort out the mental and emotional sides of intimacy, not just the physical ones.
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Are fantasies bad? They aren’t. However, when it comes to sexual ones, a quote by Benjamin Franklin absolutely comes to mind: “If passion drives you, let reason hold the reins.”
And that, right there, should be a guiding message for how you should process the fantasies that you do have.
Amen? Sho’ you right.
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