Traveling without Deodorant

You can be the greatest packer in the world yet somehow forget to bring that one body essential along with you on a trip: deodorant. How can you forget deodorant, you ask? Let’s just say it can happen. Even when it’s packed, you might find yourself in need of new deodorant if your deodorant fails to function the way it should once in a different environment. So, if you find yourself in need of deodorant but the country you’re in doesn’t sell the deodorant you need or worse, doesn’t even have it in stock, this blog post is for you.

Let’s get into some deodorant alternatives, shall we?

Limes

Afraid that your armpits will get super stinky without deodorant? Fear not with the help of limes. All you need to do is rub a lime slice under your dry armpits. Use some water to get rid of any residue and potential stickiness. Dry the area with a paper towel or washcloth and you’re set for a day of adventure.

While it can be assumed that limes can be bought at the market, the ugly reality is that not every market in the world will sell limes. Sometimes, instead of the market, you can get lime slices from a restaurant. Depending on what type of food is served, you might get lime slices this way. (I’ve gotten a few slices before from a taco/burrito joint.)

Note: If you recently removed any of your armpit hairs or cut yourself in that area, you might experience some stinging with the lime. You might want to try my soap alternative mentioned below instead.

Listerine

Okay, so you packed both deodorant and Listerine to keep you smelling fresh. You are out of deodorant but still have some Listerine around. What should you do? You should use that Listerine on your armpits. Yes, I’m serious!

Mix a Listerine cap with both Listerine and water. The concentration of Listerine should always be higher. 60 – 70% Listerine seems to be ideal but you can adapt it depending on how stinky your armpits can get.

Since Listerine often has alcohol in it, your skin may feel a tingle or worse, a burning sensation. Be quick and cautious if using this method as a deodorant alternative. You’ll want to use a cotton ball (or cotton pad) to dab a bit of the mixture under your dry armpits. (Tissue paper or toilet paper will also work if you don’t have cotton on you.) Use a bit of water to dilute your armpits from the deodorant alternative and dry your armpits with a paper towel.

While it’s not necessary to dilute your armpit area, your skin may feel very irritated once the Listerine mixture comes in contact with it. So, you might want to consider diluting it a bit.

I recommend the amber colored Listerine to be used for this deodorant alternative to be effective. The other Listerines (or mouthwash brands) might not be as effective since they’re scented differently, more sticky or simply just absent of alcohol.

Note: As with the lime deodorant alternative, if you’ve removed any armpit hairs or hurt yourself in this area, you may be better off with the soap alternative.

Soap

Soap as a deodorant alternative can be a hit or mess but might be a safer alternative for you to try if you have super sensitive skin.

I say it’s a hit or miss because there are so many soaps out there and some soaps are going to be less effective.

If you have access to bar soap, opt for the bar soap. If you’re staying in a hotel, the hotel might be nice enough to already include a tiny bar soap in your room. Use this.

All you need to do is dab water onto two of your fingers to wet a portion of the bar soap and apply what your fingers picked up onto one of your dry armpits. Rinse your hands and repeat with the other two fingers for your other dry armpit.

No need to wash up your armpit afterwards. Since most bar soaps have a drying effect, your armpits should stay dry for some time.

Note: You can try something similar with a tiny dab of liquid soap but these soaps are oily and can encourage your armpits to get sweaty faster than necessary. You’ll also want to rinse and wipe off your armpits if going the liquid soap route. Honestly though, you are better off just buying a bar of soap somewhere, which shouldn’t be too difficult to find in most countries.

I hope my deodorant alternatives will come in handy for you when you are in need of an alternative. If you tried any of the alternatives, let me know about your experience. Also, feel free to share of other effective alternatives you may have tried before.