The Lime Experiment: A Single-Ingredient Natural Deodorant?
Body Natural Beauty Personal Care
Have you heard that lime can be used as a single ingredient, natural deodorant? Let’s put this rumor to the test and see if it works!
So I recently embarked on a little week-long self-experiment: for a week straight, I used lime juice as a deodorant.
Man oh man, this was a risky experiment to conduct in the mid-summer heat! Luckily, it worked out rather well. But we’ll get to all that in a bit…
While I am head-over-heels in love with the DIY all-natural detoxifying deodorant (it keeps me odor-free naturally and pulls toxins from my skin — what more could anyone ask for?), it’s been said that lime juice can be used as a natural deodorant and I’ve been very curious about whether or not this was true.
So…
I juiced a lime, strained the pulp and seeds, and put the juice in a little glass spray bottle. I kept the bottle in the fridge and sprayed it on my underarms every morning for a week.
The big conclusion: it worked! But..
Not as well as my other deodorant (I was a little stinky by bedtime which is not usually the case for me). But it did work.
So will I be making the switch to lime juice? Nope. I’m still very committed to my DIY all-natural detoxifying deodorant. (It’s amazing.)
But this may be an option for others who have a sensitivity to baking soda, cornstarch or arrowroot, common ingredients in many natural deodorants (both DIY and store-bought).
A word of caution before giving it a go:
- It can sting when applied immediately after shaving
- Lime juice and the sun react in such a way that can cause your skin to burn, so absolutely do not apply lime if you are planning on exposing this area of your body to the sun.
I have been using lime for years. I cut a slice off a fresh lime and rub under my arms after a shower. It works amazing for me, and I don’t stink at the end of the day at all. I have used everything else you suggested here and fresh lime slices work the best for me. I have never sunburned my armpits either. Isn’t it amazing how very different we all are?
Ooh that sounds like a great addition! Glad to hear you found something that works for you 🙂
I’ve used limes, worked very well…..I mix it up every few days with different scents of peppermint oil and then Japanese cherry blossom oil, too. I love it!!!!
I tried it yesterday after a fresh shower; it’s amazing thus far. With a C-Section birth, I likewise, I applied it to the skin that I normally apply other components A. and P., and dry then apply organic Vitamin E. Oil.
I’ve never used a salt stick before!
how does the lime compare to the salt stick deodorant?
Awesome!
I ran out of deodorant yesterday, so I had extra limes in the fridge so I gave it a go… worked perfectly! No smell no odor… I was impressed! All i did was cut a piece of lime and squeeze the juice under my arms and let dry before I put my arms down. And voila!
LOL love the lime in the purse! So glad to hear that this works for you 🙂
I have been using a lime for months now. I, too, just apply directly from the lime. I take a lime, slice in half, and have my own deodorant and applicator all-in-one. In warmer temps, 75° and higher, I have noticed that reapplication may be necessary after about 10hours. So, I pop a lime in my purse if I have a long day.
Lime worked wonderfully for me for a week or two. There was no odor even after 24 hours. But now it has stopped working and has only a small deodorizing effect. Could it be that the bacteria grow resistant to it? Maybe one must cycle different remedies to keep that from happening, rather than use the same remedy over and over.
I figured by “stains”, she meant the discoloration on her arm pits- I have heard a few people refer to that as arm pit stains.
I have been using the Lime for a few weeks now and it really seems to help. Tom’s brand turned my skin dark and made it peel badly. But Lime has been amazing. Obviously, it isn’t for everyone- Some people put down natural things because it didn’t work for them (or it wasn’t instant so they never tried it again), but it’s definitely worth trying.
By the way- Why do people bother commenting on your article if they haven’t even read it? Her answer was not only in the post she came here for but a few people had already answered it in the comments section before she asked!