Have you tried Tom's long-lasting formula deodorant? I find that actually works. There are many scents, but I prefer the unscented when I can find it. The regular formula is less expensive, but it doesn't work for me either.
Test Driving Tom's of Maine
As part of my ongoing quest to explore all the eco-friendly toiletry products out there, I’ve recently taken the Tom’s of Maine company for a spin. Read on to see the products tested, and my thoughts on each.
Since I am actually from the state, Tom’s has been an institution for as long as I can remember. They’ve been doing “all natural” since way before its recent explosion in popularity. Interestingly enough, I’d never tried their products. When a recent situation forced further reflection upon me, I decided it was time to give them a whirl. Here’s what I test drove:
The toothpaste.
I’m digging this product thus far. It works well and while pricier than other regular brands, it’s not completely out of reach. I like knowing it’s a bit healthier for me. The taste? Well, it’s not quite as yummy as what you might be used to using. However, I would still put it in the “not bad” category with regards to flavor. If you are looking to switch to a more natural toothpaste, I would consider it worth the splurge.
The deodorant.
I hate to be negative, but I have to be honest and say I was more than a little disappointed with this particular item in their product line. Unless I was just sitting still working at the keyboard all day, the deodorant did not protect me odor-wise at ALL. My friend who is also a huge Tom’s of Maine fan had a similar problem. Even a short walk out to get the mail will result in a case of body odor on ‘roids. No joke. Now, in all fairness to Tom’s of Maine, this is a product many companies apparently have trouble getting right with all natural recipes. And, perhaps the body chemistry of different people will result in a different experience. All I know is, it absolutely did not work for me. If any of you have had other experiences, please feel free to share below.
The mouthwash.
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Again, not the yummiest. Effective? Absolutely. Definitely a quality product. However, at around four bucks per pint it is definitely out of the price range for those on a shoestring budget. If you are OK with paying a premium for such things, then I can definitely attest that I am more than comfortable with the mouthwash’s quality. However, as I mentioned in my green on a shoestring piece, one strategy to stay on track with your green budget is to know what you absolutely need to purchase from this category of store bought products and what you don’t. Since the price of their mouthwash isn’t something I can justify spending on a regular basis, and the toothpaste contains xylitol anyway, I will probably make due with a homemade salt and warm water mouth rinse and put my regular toiletry monies into the toothpaste itself.
So that’s it. A two out of three for quality verification, and a one out of three for shoestring affordability. However, I still have a great deal of respect for the company, their products and their community involvement programs. There are also other items in their inventory like bar and pump soap, as well as dental floss. Feel free to sound off if you have experience with any of those items or the Tom’s of Maine company in general. As for me, while I’m currently focusing on only one or two of their products for our home, I’m still a huge Tom’s fan.
Best of Wise Bread
Well, I don't recall the specifics. Hold on, I'll go check . . . .
Um, no. The one I tried says unscented natural original stick, aluminum free, etc. We are going into the nearest small town tomorrow, and they actually carry a few of the Tom's products. I'll see if they have it or try it from Amazon.
Thanks for the tip.
P.S. I actually like the salt crystal one we took on the trip. I just thought I would keep that one in my "go bag" so to speak and try something different in the interest of article research. I've thought about pitching several companies and doing an overall comparison of the options. Not sure if anyone would find that interesting or not . . .
I'd love to hear about any alternatives for deodorants and/or anitperspirants. I'm allergic to the aluminum compounds used in anitperspirants, so I haven't been able to use any, just deodorant. Lately I've just been using a Right Guard sportstick deodorant only because of its strong scent.
I am a huge fan of the Spearmint flavored "Total Care" toothpaste from Tom's, but the other flavors lack the zing I want in a toothpaste. And my Big Lots store often has them for $2.50/tube, vs. the $4.50 at Target.
I am not much of a sweat-er, but I found the deoderant sorely lacking. Same with the crystal thing.
Hey, if you're hooked on the toothpaste, more power to you. I, on the other hand, find that it just plain doesn't clean my teeth. My experience is that it tastes and feels great while I'm brushing, but then about an hour later my teeth don't feel clean and I develop halitosis. Sure it tastes good, but if it doesn't serve its primary purpose I just don't see the point. For the record, I don't use super whitening awesome amazing wonder paste with Scope - I just use plain old Colgate. Colgate doesn't taste too sweet to me. I guess it never occurred to me to even care what my toothpaste tastes like.
I've never used the mouthwash, but I agree with the deoderant. Doesn't seem to last for me. I do like it's smell though.
I like the toothpaste as well, but if I remember correctly, it didn't have fluoride which I like to have in my toothpaste.
@Joe C - I have a similar problem, with my skin being VERY sensitive to some deodorants. I've been using the crystal stick (most drug stores have them). They last forever and while they have no sent, then neutralize odor without irritating (me at least).
-Sean
a note on changing deodorants: if you have been using a regular deodorant and then change to the all-natural one, your body may need to take some time to readjust. this is advice from many natural living online communities that i read. the typical time period to adjust is about 2 weeks. other brands that are recommended if you still don't like toms are J/A/S/O/N, kiss my face, oylin funk, pit rock or good old vinegar and baking soda. just dab some apple cidar vinegar on your pits and dust with baking soda. what could be cheaper?
We loved Tom's of Maine too, until it was bought by Colgate.....sigh. I'm just not that comfortable giving my "eco" dollars to a company like Colgate, thanks.
That answers my question on whether any would be interested in the post. I'll have to put some feelers out, and I'll definitely look into the brands mentioned above.
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts, everybody.
it also took about two months for me to adjust to using the TOM deodorant. it still only lasts about 10 hours for me on a good day and only about three on really hot summer days. i don't have much luck with the "gel" kinds anyway. their roll on anti perspirant is definitely better (contains buffered aluminum or something), but after repeated use, it really dries out my skin. i have had luck also with the Nature de France product called le Stick. it comes in powder fresh and unscented. it's made from french clay and baking soda basically, so it kinda smells like mud a for a little while, but is hands- down my best wetness protection from a natural product. i've not been able to find it on the web, but one of the natural food stores near me carries it. it's constantly sold out so i bet it works for lots of other people too.
p.s. @ #7
you'd be surprised at how many small companies are owned by big corporations. it's something that allowed these companies to reach markets they would've otherwise not been able to get to. i'm not saying i'm thrilled about it, but there is another way of looking at it.
The taste of the toothpaste, that is--I'm too leery to try deodorant. I've actually used Tom's of Maine toothpaste for 6-8 months (I prefer the spearmint flavor). A couple months back, I ran totally out and had to use the Crest my fiance still uses. I found that it tasted awful--turns out it's way too sweet for me now. At first the Tom's doesn't have enough flavor, but now it's all I like.
Ditto! After using Tom's toothpaste, every other kind tastes like it's full of sugar!
And actually, if you look at the ingredients, they are!
I agree with the crystal users. I too am allergic to all forms of aluminum used in deodorants/antiperspirants, esp. the latter. When they say 'Don't use on broken skin or rash', they ain't kidding! That hurts!
Used to have to buy it at a health foods store, nowadays they're more generally available. And it is only deodorant. You will still continue to sweat, it'll just take much longer (and more) before you start stinking up the place....
I absolutely agree with Jen above about the taste of their toothpaste-- I've been using their Cinnamint flavor for going on 4 years now, and it's absolutely ruined me for "normal" toothpaste. I find them way, way too saccharinely sweet. Yuck.
I feel certain that Colgate-Palmolive will influence formulations for Tom's once great products. Sad really, I won't purchase their items any longer.
I used Tom's mint gel for about the past six months. It is the only commercial toothpaste I have been able to use that didn't make me gag. The super sweet faux flavorings used in most big brand toothpastes are just too much.
The only downside was that I got more plaque buildup during the last six months according to my dentist.
Sorry but the comment about your body needing time to "adjust" to a different deoderant is completely ludicrous! Deoderant "sits" on top of your skin, every time you shower with soap/water or certainly if you shave your armpits, any traces of deoderant will be washed away, along with the topmost layer of dead skin cells. Different formulas may work better than others on an individual person, but it is certainly not a matter of your body "adjusting".
Tom's (Colgate) has hands-down the best dental floss around. It was gone for a while (probably thanks to the corporate takeover), but it's back and they haven't ruined it yet.
BTW, equally sad is the corporate Borgification of Burt's Bees. Darn it!
Resistance is futile....
Well I've used what they call a Thai Deoderant Stone for years and it works great and I used to have a job where I sweated galore and even at the end of the day no smell.
I bought my last couple from IHerb www.iherb.com or you can google deoderant stone and see what else pops up.
Though through trial and error I learned the best way to use them...
1/ After Showering/Bathing towel off EXCEPT for under your arms.
2/ Make sure your hands are DRY and pick up the stone and rub it under your wet pits.
You must make sure your hands are dry as the stone gets slippery when it gets wet and unless you keep a good grip on it it will zing out of your hand and they will shatter when they hit the floor.
The good news though is that a large stone will usually last about 2 years and runs only about $7.00.
~ Roland
I had no idea Colgate now produces Tom's of Maine. grrrr Is nothing sacred?!
Back on topic, the deodorant works ok for me. I don't stink like a pig after a workout, but I don't smell like roses, either.
Have tried a bunch over the years and none really worked, until I tried Weleda product spray deodorant. These seem to be alcohol based and when sprayed on (if you have shaved it will sting for a second) it lasts all day - no stink. Comes in Rose, Citrus and Sage. Cost, not outrageous, 11 dollars, lasts almost a year.
Kiss My Face is amazing. Try the olive oil body soap. It totally cured my toddlers super-dry skin the doctor swore was eczema. Looking to buy their products in bulk if anyone knows how.
I have been using the old Tussy cream deodorant for years as I'm allergic to the aluminum stuff in the antiperspirants. Now it's getting harder to find but very cheap when you do and lasts quite awhile. Did spot some Tom's products at a Big Lots and wondered about the toothpaste, may pick up one to try it. I have used corn starch in a pinch for deodorant, even have dabbed on vinegar; both work. Anything but the aluminum stuff, the rash and itching can be awful whenever I try to go back to the antiperspirants.
My underarm skin reacted to the Tom's solid deodorant sticks, so I switched to the crystal which is great. However, the solid crystal works MUCH better than the liquified version of the crystal.
I agree with the person who recommended the Tom's unwaxed dental floss--gets your teeth really clean though if your teeth are too close together, you may have to use waxed floss.
I am indifferent about their deodorant, i don't notice that it doesn't work at all, but I do prefer the arm and hammer brand to it.
I have been using the toothpaste for many years, and can simply not tolerate any other kind now. the all taste like saccharine.
I am also partial to the mouthwash, it doesn't have the stingy so nasty if must be good for your taste.
I have used Tom's of Maine deodorant for 10+ years and love it. I use the reg stick version in UNscented. When I switched it was hard to find anything at the stores that was NOT an antiperspirant (has aluminum) and that was not scented. The stick lasts a long time. At first it seemed like it didn't work well but now I am able to even skip a few days and not stink up the joint. And it does not ruin your clothes.
It does take 2 weeks - 2 months for antiperspirant's effects to leave your system (it creates plugs in your sweat glands) so give the new deordorant enough of a chance to work if you are new to switching.
While Colgate did buy a controlling interest in Tom's the former family owner kept a 16% stipulating that their policies be kept in place. It does seems to be available at many more stores and at a lower price that before.
I have always wanted to try their toothpaste as most other toothpastes make me gag. After reading the above reviews maybe it is time.
The title pretty much says it all. The Crystal deodorant worked excellently from day 1 - better than any regular product ever did. I switched a year ago and I'm still a happy camper.
I landed here looking for a recipe for Tom's of Maine mouthwash. However, I felt the need to comment about the deodorant issue.
I too felt very frustrated trying to switch from commercial deodorant to natural deodorant. I tried various types of brands (Tom's of Maine included) but I found that it felt sticky in my armpits.
Nothing worked - so I gave up.
Call me crazy...but I have been deodorant free for five months now. I really did not think that was even possible, especially for me! I am kind of chunky and I used to break a sweat as soon as I stepped out of the shower. But I don't anymore. I don't know how to explain it because I don't understand the chemistry involved, but it's as if the deodorant was making me sweat worse and it was making it more stinky.
???
I would honestly raise my arms and let you all smell me to make you all believers lol! I know that's weird but they really don't smell. Note: I *DO* shave my armpits daily and I am sure this contributes to the freshness.
I've used Tom's unscented deodorant for years (not the long-lasting one). Recently, I haven't been able to find the regular, unscented deodorant in the stores, so I tried the long-lasting version (still unscented), and had an allergic reaction to it. Anyone know what ingredient(s) are different that might be causing this reaction??
I haven't been totally impressed with Tom's, but after trying many different brands, Tom's is the only one I'm not having a reaction to... Anyone have any other recommendations??
no , i would not recommend this product . toms of maine
deodarant stick ,you would think it actually would be
better for your health .yet it's been painful for
me. i've been using this product for a month already
and the only thing i got from this was a ver bad
and burning sensation evry time i put some deodorant on .. i give this product 2 dumbs down
I can't speak for the ingredient differences, but the Thai mineral salt deodorant stick is working for us. No real chemicals involved.
A friend of mine also swears by mixing isopropyl and water with a bit of baking soda in a fine mist spray bottle.
I have been using Tom's long-lasting deodorant formula for months and have been very happy. It seems that the longer you use it, the more your body adjusts to it. I use sweat so much that I had to buy that super-strong Secret formula, but since switching to Tom's I notice that I sweat much less than I used to. Hmm, maybe that's the "Secret"?
Also, I tried Tom's toothpaste but found the peppermint oils burned my gums. I now use Trader Joe's toothpaste and I love it, plus its a little cheaper.
Good tip about the Trader Joe's toothpaste. I'll have to check it out the next time I'm near one of their stores. Thanks for joining the conversation.
I use tom's unscented and it didnt work for me. I was suprised my husband wanted to try it and he loved it. I then bought it for my two teenage boys. i felt so bad because my older son said mom look at my pits..they were raw. He couldnt even put them down. He said they were really itchy too. Hes used commercial deodorants with no problem but the natural stuff he is allergic too ..go figure lol..
Thanks for passing that along. It might be worth taking the active ingredients list to an allergy specialist and seeing if they can tell you anything?
The deodorant also left me red and raw. It didn't work, as I smelled like soup after using. Combine the stink with the red pits and I was a lovely sight. I recently starting using kiss my face and it smells good with no reactions. I also would like to know what is in the Tom's deodorant that is causing so many allergic reactions.
I will give the kiss my face brand a couple of weeks (it hasn't been working too well and I reapply every couple of hours to avert the STINK). If it doesn't work after that time I will try the crystal deodorant that seems to get good reviews.
