The Vine: January 9, 2009
Those bastards at Proctor & Gamble have discontinued my deodorant.
No more for the Secret Platinum Soft Solid. I tried their new product the “Flawless” and it’s ill-named. It never quite, I don’t know, dries like the Platinum Soft Solid did, so I walk around all day with this creaminess feeling in my armpits. Yick.
And it’s not as “unscented” as my old unscented was. And it doesn’t ward off the BO as well. And, when I wash my pits it balls up before I scrub it off, which is just flat-out weird.
FYI, I sent the angry email to P&G and they confirmed that they’re discontinuing the entire Platinum line. So if that’s what you use and like, stock up now.
Meanwhile, I’m looking for recommendations for something like what I used to use, but from a different brand. I don’t want something that takes too long to dry after application, and I want “unscented” to really mean without scent. Oh, and it should keep me from being stinky.
My coworkers and I all thank you.
Amy
Dear Amy,
This isn’t really on-topic, but next time, write a physical letter and mail it.It may not get the product reinstated, but it does tend to get you freebies, or at least coupons.I know how grannyish that sounds, but companies will try to retain your goodwill by responding to complaints in that way.
I’ve used the Secret Invisible Solid for so long that I really don’t have any alternatives to suggest (and their “unscented” does have a scent; it isn’t bothersome to me, but everyone’s different with that stuff).
Readers, anyone had to switch from Secret’s Platinum Soft Solid and found another brand they like?
Tags: Ask The Readers health and beauty
I used to be a big fan of Mitchum’s roll-on. You really could skip a day.
I also find that my deodorant/antiperspirant typically becomes less effective after I use it for a long time, and switching brands every once in a while helps. So maybe this is a good opportunity for Amy.
I quite like Trader Joe’s unscented deodorant with cotton – it’s clear, it dries quickly, it’s truly unscented, and it’s affordable. It’s also paraben and aluminum free. Hope this helps!
I had a hard time after Arid XX dropped the baby powder scent finding one that I liked. I finally settled on Dove. I’m not sure if they have unscented though. My husband does use Arid XX Unscented and since I used to use Arid XX, I don’t think it’s exclusively a men’s deodorant so it might be an option. Good luck.
A while ago I was a Secret Platinum user, but it was never strong enough.
Mitchum unscented is truly unscented, and it’s pretty good stuff in the stink-stop department, as well. I actually used the men’s for a while, before I traded up for Certain Dri.
My biggest problem with deoderant/antipersperants was that I pit-stained out all of my shirts. All of them. No matter how I applied that crap, if I even sweat a little, it would get on my clothes, clothes would stain. I wasn’t stinky, just…I’m a dewy lass, and that would shine on through.
With the Certain Dri, I apply it anywhere from once to three times a week, at night, and I haven’t ruined a shirt since. It is amazing. Bonus, I also have far far fewer ingrown hairs in my pits, and I not only don’t sweat from my arm pits, I also don’t stink. It’s not for everyone, and we might even get a Certain Dri-phobe in the comments, but it has saved me a lot of tops, plus the annoyance/embarassment of always having pit sweat rings.
I’m a fan of Mitchum. It helps with the sweatiness, and I’ve never had a BO problem with it on. Dries quick, no messiness, I love it.
Dove. Pretty much all their stuff.
I use their solid for sensitive skin (after Secret gave me a rash) and damned if it’s not the best I’ve found. It smells lightly of baking power and I know what you mean about the beading up in the shower. This doesn’t do that at all.
@Stephanie : I have to know “with cotton”?? Is there cotton in the actual deodorant? Or is that a roll on?
I am using the Dove unscented invisible solid for sensitive skin. I like it quite well – don’t feel it in my ‘pits after I put it on and it doesn’t smell any more than my unscented body lotion does.
I really like dove’s unscented invisible solid. I’m a wet-armpit girl, and it deals with that without too much trouble. It isn’t like supah-strong workout girl stuff, though, so if that is what you are looking for, this ain’t it. This is normal girl who is vaguely active in her office, and maybe occasionaly dashes down the stairs like a madwoman to catch her boss before she leaves.
I switched to this stuff from the amazing adidas deo with cotton, which was discontinued.
I used to use the Secret line, but recently switched to Dove’s Ultimate Clear. I know they have a sensitive skin one that is most likely unscented. I like it much much better.
I’m of no use in the way of suggestions, as I currently use the Secret Platinum Soft Solid myself, but I’m starting to wonder if there’s some sort of deodorant conspiracy against the hyper-sweaty or something, because I switched to the Secret Platinum after the last awesomely effective deodorant I used got discontinued a few years ago. I am now going to be that crazy girl at Target buying 15 things of Secret Platinum before it’s gone forever. Thanks for the heads up.
I agree with Mary about the brand switch. I switched from Secret to Dove a little bit ago and it was magical. Dove isn’t working quite as well now–or I’ve started to sweat more overall, whatevs–but I’m still in love. I use the Invisible Solids Sensitive Skin–no scent (to my nose), and actually invisible, which is rare to find.
I use Suave brand, which always struck me as the less expensive version of Secret – by packaging design and use/smell. I use the baby powder, but they do have a Soft Solid Unscented, so that may be worth a try at least.
I’ve also used and liked Dove solids, but I don’t see that they have an unscented version.
I switched from Platinum to Clinical Strength and haven’t looked back once. They have a “powder” scent that goes away after about a minute, and then I smell nothing the rest of the day.
If you’re stocking up on Platinum, check drugstore.com, they appear to have some coupons/specials going on.
I’m a big fan of Dove, but I don’t know if they make an unscented…
I’ve had pretty good luck with the original Dove deodorant. They have a new one that does that squicky balling up thing and I didn’t like that one too much, so I went back to the old version. I don’t use the unscented, but the one I do have is very mild (I think I have the ‘shower fresh’ version). I hope that would point towards the unscented being truly scent-free.
I was also a fan of this discontinued Secret product. Since I was forced to change it up, I tried several before I found a good replacement. I’ve had a good experience with Secret Clinical Strength–it’s a soft solid and it truly does last all day with no grody residue. The only downside is price; I usually have a cupon when I buy it, but it still costs $5-7.
I like the Avon Skin So Soft anti-persperant. It’s a bit wet going on, but it dries in under a minute. No whiteness, doesn’t give me a rash (like everything else does), survives through a workout, and doesn’t do that little balled-up thing. It does have a scent, but I don’t find it very strong (I can’t smell it right now). Not sure if Avon has unscented.
Oh, and the Avon Skin So Soft is crazy cheap! Like, $1.99 cheap (in Canada anyways).
Just wanted to commiserate a bit. Secret Platinum was seriously the only deodorant that worked for me. Fortunately the Flawless seems to be doing okay as well on the odour-fighting front, but the texture is weird and the “unscented” really does have a noticeable perfumey smell.
I really want to try the Mitchum now because I also have that lovely stained-shirt issue…
Agree with above — I switched from Secret Platinum to Secret Clinical Strength and I really like it. It is a stronger anti-perspirant than the Platinum, so may perhaps irritate sensitive skin. I’m pretty sensitive, normally, but since I also use Certain Dri in the evenings for the one-two punch to my excessive underarm sweat, my underarms have had to toughen up.
Count me as another vote on the Dove. My old deodorant literally stopped working (Suave baby powder; used it for years) and I tried a couple of different kinds before finding the Dove and being very happy with it. I sometimes get a little damp if I’m really exerting myself, but I’ve never had stinky. Well, that I know of, anyway.
I third the Clinical Strength vote. I was in the same boat and was totally grossed out by the new Flawless – I was a soggy mess for a week after switching, so I decided I had to try something else. The problem is that no one else seems to have that “soft solid” delivery method to which I have become accustomed, so I bit the bullet and gave the Clinical a shot. There is a hypoallergenic version which has NO scent (to me, anyway). I have been using it for three days now and am very impressed. Mostly it just treats me the same as the Platinum did, but now I have to shell out more money for a smaller applicator full. Bastards is right. I hate to continue to give them my money, but the Clinical seems to be my best option.
I’m a guy who’s used Speed Stick Unscented for honks. Available everywhere and goes on sale gratifyingly often.
Count me in as another Dove ltimate Clear sensitive skin formula user. It works really well for me, and I always thought I was a super sweat-er. I definitely like the sensitive skin one better than the regular.
I recommend getting a crystal deoderant. It might not work for you — my sister is still stinky when she tries to use it — but literally everything else I used gave me a horrible, horrible rash, to the point where I stopped trying new things at all, because it took so long for each new rash to go away, and I couldn’t wear deoderant at all while the rash was going away, which was unpleasant to say the least… So, yeah. Crystal deoderant. Completely odorless, because it’s basically just some sort of salt. Lasts forever. Keeps me from being stinky. Doesn’t keep me from being sweaty, but I don’t care. Don’t put it on right after you shave, or it will sting, and it might give you a rash. I know, I’m a dirty hippie. :)
Holy crap! I did NOT KNOW they were discontinuing the line. Thank goodness I have a couple of backups at home already…I bought them the last time they were on sale. I hate having to find a new deodorant! Grrr…
No suggestions for a new one from me. Not yet, anyway. I just wanted to thank the writer (and Sars for posting the letter) for the heads up on the sitch. Stupid P&G…
I’ve used Secret’s clear gel deodorants for years, and I love it. It should have more-or-less the same effect as the invisible solid. In fact, the clear gel’s success may have caused the solid to be discontinued. The sticky white stuff isn’t a problem because the gel dries in a few seconds, and I never have had sweat stains or odor problems. I have sensitive skin and it hasn’t caused problems with that.
@ tulip: I think that there are cotton fibers actually in the deodorant itself to aid with absorption (it’s a smooth clear solid, you can’t actually see the fibers).
Good luck, Amy and others! Hope you find a deodorant that is just as good as the soon-to-be-discontinued one.
I’m a Mitchum fan. That “so effective you could skip a day” thing? I’ve (accidentally) found it to be true.
@tadpoledrain – WRT crystal deodorants – if you have access to any sort of southeast asian supermarkets, go to the personal care section and get yourself a sack of “alums” – big chunks of the same stuff in the crystal deodorant. The (I think) Balinese and Thai people use them. They cost about $1 per pound, as opposed to the $6 per 4oz. or whatever they charge in the drugstore.
@tadpoledrain: Oh my god, me too with the allergic reaction, and I HATE IT SO MUCH. And you know what kicked it off? SECRET PLATINUM, no joke–I had no problem with deodorants until I tried Secret Platinum and it gave me a horrible rash, and from then on, all anti-sweaty deodorants (and most all conventional deodorants) have given me a rash. I use Tom’s Useless Crap Stick which kind of sort of addresses odor and doesn’t do a thing for sweat. Die, Secret Platinum, die!
I’m glad I saw this. I, too, use the Secret Platinum line. Guess it’s time to stock up while I can!
The nice thing about the soft solids is that they really seem to work for sweaty girls like me. But with the Platinum I would always get the little balls of deodorant in my pits, and that’s just weird. I also like everything to be unscented, and I’ve now been using BAN solid unscented for a while. Works great, is strong, and not clumpy or wet. I also use Certain Dri a few nights a week, but I was doing that when I was using the Platinum too.
I use Degree Ultra Clear – it really IS “little black dress approved” and doesn’t mark up your clothes. I’m a stinky pete, so the deodorant part is way more crucial to me than the antiperspirant part, and this stuff holds its own, even in August in a 35% polyester shirt. Free sample! http://tinyurl.com/fat37
(Djt, I was desperate enough to try the SpeedStick & I stunk my way right through it in less than three hours! It got mega-fonky, too. I had never smelled so – WEIRD before! PeeeeYeww!)
I use Dove’s unscented solid deodorant when I need a serious antiperspirant, and it is truly unscented… BUT, I had a very hard time finding it last time I bought, so I’m worried it might be discontinued, too.
Most days, though, I use the all-natural JASON brand Tea Tree Oil kind, which I love the smell of, doesn’t cause an allergic skin reaction in me like most deodorants, and has no Aluminum Chloride. It’s great, but not quite strong enough for a hot summer day or a workout. I expect to sweat in those situations, though, and only use the Dove if I have a meeting or a work function where I can’t afford to look all sweaty.
Krissa, it’s the active chemical ingredient in antiperspirant–Aluminum Chloride–that actually causes yellow pit stains. Sweat itself will not cause them. Basically, the only way to not get pit stains is to not use antiperspirant (you can get just deodorants or ones without Aluminum Chloride like the natural one I use in colder months), but then you will still get the moisture, though not the stink if you find the right one.
I can third or fifth or whatever, the Dove deodorant. I use the regular unscented and I don’t find the scent overpowering.
@Stephanie, thanks for the explanation! I might try that next time I’m at TJs. I would love a cheaper alternative to the Dove.
I also am a Degree fan.
@amber – actually, it’s Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex Gly that’s the active ingrediant in antiperspirant that stains your clothes. Aluminum Chloride is alum and is what the crystal deodorants are made of. Alum is used in food preparation and in the miniscule doses you’re exposed to in deodorant is absolutely harmless to you or your clothes.
I use regular Degree for men…it doesn’t have that strong cologne smell so I’m not self-conscious about smelling like a dude during the day. And for those times when you work an 8 hour day, go straight to the bar, miss the last Metro train home, decide to stay out, go to another bar, sleep on a friend’s couch, go to work the next day in yesterday’s outfit that smells of a bar in a state without a smoking ban, and then work another 8+ hours…Degree deodorant doesn’t need re-application.
Not that I endorse such behavior. But, you know. If you needed it to be there for you, it would be. Just sayin’. I tested it so you don’t have to.
Oops, correction: alum is hydrated aluminum potassium sulfate; aluminum chloride is not safe at all and is not used in cosmetic or food preparations at all.
Sorry, more information: aluminum chlorOHYDRATE is the ingrediant in Certain-Dri, which is derived from aluminum chloride but is not technically the same. Chemistry lesson over.
Dove all the way. There is nothing better.
I’m on Mitchum too now. It doesn’t stain my shirts (or react weirdly with my sweat to stain my shirts like the clear Secret Platinum did) and my armpits are staying dry. It also leaves less, I don’t know, gunky buildup? in my armpits, i.e. I don’t have to exfoliate my armpits as much. I do find that it’s just a teensy bit more irritating – like once in a while it bothers my skin right after I shave, but most of the time it’s fine – so if you have more sensitive skin Dove is a better bet.
If I remember correctly Clinical Strength works like Drysol, i.e. hardcore application at night then wash off in the shower, so that’s fine if you can get away with just that. But if you’re like me and need something in the morning too then Mitchum or Dove.
I enjoy a variety of anti-perspirants, since they seem to stop working as well sometimes. I really like the Adidas triple-method stuff…it also has the cotton in it, which really does make a difference. I also have Dry-Sol, which is an over the counter thing you dab on your pits before bed. After a few times, you don’t sweat at all (can’t be necessarily healthy, but worth it for me), and then I use a crystal spray in the mornings. I’ve had varying degrees of success with Dove, Secret, Degree and Mitchum, but all are pretty decent. I always buy invisible applications whenever possible.
Ah, deodorants.
@JS, I too have had problems with every type of aluminum salt (even the crystals that you just dampen and rub on) causing a rash. Like you, I had no problem for years and then started having reactions. Unlike you, I can’t identify a trigger.
For about 10 years, I used non-antiperspirant deodorants, and the one I love is Alvera Aloe Herbal Roll-On Deodorant. Unlike just about everything else, it actually works and keeps you from getting stinky, and it never stings after shaving. You can find it in Whole Foods stores in Texas and in some HEBs, but I’m not sure about out of state (it’s a Texas product). But if you Google “alvera deodorant” there are lots of places to buy it online. It also comes in unscented. While it’s not strictly an anti-perspirant, I swear it also makes you sweat slightly less in addition to preventing odor.
If you can’t find Alvera, Avalon Organics deodorant also works, but it can sting a little after shaving. Their lavender scent is nice.
The odd thing is that, after a decade or so of using my granola all-natural deodorants, I’ve been able to switch back to conventional anti-perspirants, which are vastly superior for moisture control. It’s been a couple of years now, and no reactions, as long as I use my Alvera for the first 24 hours after shaving.
I’m going to have to try this Mitchum y’all are talking about.
For a second I wondered if I wrote that Vine letter while asleep or something! I’m also an Amy, and that was my favorite brand of anti-perspirant, as well. I, too, tried the new Flawless one with Olay, but the scent really bothered me — the Platinum unscented was truly unscented, and Flawless is not. I haven’t found a new brand I like as much yet, so I appreciate all of these replies!
Love, love, love Mitchum. I use the “for women” sensitive skin. It’s truly unscented and while I can’t skip a day since my family sweats like Niagara Falls in 60 degree weather, I don’t ruin shirts or offend coworkers either. I tried the clinical strength Secret and wound up with rashy pits and an ingrown hair that took 6 months to heal up completely. If you’re sensitive or cheap, not a good way to go.
Wait! Wait! (Sorry about the double post, but I didn’t think of this originally.) One more thing.
If you have bad reactions to deodorant and you shave, try switching to an electric razor instead of using a blade. I absolutely cannot shave my underarms with a blade without HORRIBLE rashes, no matter how sharp the blade or lubricating the shaving cream, but have excellent results using the Lady Remington on dry skin. The skin is still sensitive for 12-24 hours afterwards, but no rash. It took me YEARS to find this out. I don’t know if you’ve tried being a straight woman in the southern U.S. with armpit hair, but it’s less than ideal; I have to share in case anyone else is in same boat.
@JS–Ha! Tom’s Useless Crap Stick is so true! I never had a BO problem until I tried that kind; my attempt at being “organic” by using their product lasted three days. I use some Dove deodorant that I’m not ecstatic about; all these recommendations are useful.