Cruelty Free Stinky Underarms

Since a teen, I've been a big fan of Secret Antiperspirant from P&G.  It stops the sweat and so stops the stink.  I'm nothing if not loyal.  Forty years later, I'm looking for something else to keep me smelling fresh that hasn't been tested on animals.

I'm a professional who works in an office and is frequently in meetings working closely with other people.  It is important that I don't distract my colleagues with an unpleasant scent.  This is non-negotiable.

Consulting the PETA site:  Cruelty-Free Deodorant, we found a number of options:
Antiperspirants - use an aluminum chloride to block your pores to stop the sweat.
Deodorant - perfume to mask the smell of sweat-eating bacteria.
Deodorant Stone - a combination of mineral salts that control odor-causing bacteria.

PETA even has a recipe for a homemade deodorant.

Not all of the options were available in my area but I found that my local Walgreens carries several.  I chose Crystal deodorant.  I liked that it didn't plug up the pores like antiperspirant (not that I had a problem before I just like the sound of that).  I also liked that it actively prevents the bacteria from growing rather than just try to mask the scent.  Crystal says that one "stick" will last a whole year so it's very economical.

I have been using Crystal for about a month this summer.  I live in Atlanta so we have plenty of heat and humidity.  I find that I get wet under my arms now but not usually stinky.  Keep in mind that I'm usually indoors.  However, even outdoors, I don't get smelly very often with Crystal.  I am a little aware that if I get wet under my arms it may show through my clothes but again, I'm just not in the heat that much.

To use Crystal, I run it briefly under a trickle of water.  Then I rub that on my clean skin until it is dry again.  Pretty simple and takes about 20 seconds per arm.  It is so smooth and leaves so little trace that it is hard to believe that it is on there but the results are positive.

Verdict

Ease	Easy.  Takes a few more seconds than solid antiperspirant.  Must have water available.
Wetness	I get wet with sweat under my arms but that's expected since I chose a deodorant rather than an antiperspirant.
Smell	With Secret I was scentless most of the time.  I can't say that with Crystal; however, it is difficult to quantify.  I'm sure I get better results when I wash with soap and water before application.
Worth a repeat?	Yes.  It isn't perfect but I think it will do what I need.  I might try Certain Dri antiperspirant when this runs out next year.

A few helpful web sites:

PETA:  Cruelty-Free Deodorant

Crystal Body Deodorant