Travel / BPing deodorant

Me, too:

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=61310

I'm definitely pro-deodorant (despite my avatar), and made up a batch of lip balm deodorant sticks out of a half-used Mennen stick. The balm containers are translucent ones purchased from eBay. I put the Mennen in a "double boiler" type of arrangement and it melted before long. Then I drew out the liquid deodorant with a syringe and deposited it into a half dozen balm containers. Into the refrigerator for a half hour, and done. A few spares for travel. Works great.

Have you tired Lavilin?
I like it because it is not an antiperspirant. One application lasts for days, really. No need to bring anything if your trip is a short one.

Name makes me think of lanolin.
I will keep it in mind.

Kat,

I read up on Lavilin – it does seem like a possibly lighter weight option, or, as you say, a no-weight option for a few days. Is it available in a store or just mail order?

Colin: Sorry to have not given credit to you. I didn't remember where I'd seen the idea first. I've since picked up a variety of small, refillable sticks and tubes to make mini- and micro-versions of various creams and goos.

The whole "Let's bring 12 ounces of sunscreen and 4 ounces of DEET with us, only to bring 11.5 and 3.8 ounces back with us" approach has always bothered me. Travel sizes get it down to an ounce or so. Professional samples help even more. -David

Hi David,
It is available here at local hippy herb stores and some health food stores.
I can get you some and ship it, if it's hard to get.
Like I said, I really like it.

Kat,

Thanks for the offer, but I pass through Berkeley and Marin County often enough. And while I guess it isn't at Walmart or Safeway, we do a lot of mail order for many things.

Have you ever tried http://www.thecrystal.com/
Swear by th stuff. Remarkable!
Don't use it on the trail. Home & travel only.

Great tip! I'm going to try this. In the past I have used bath wipes; 1 per day. Dry them out after you use them. Also, hand sanitizer gel has helped keep the body odor in check.

Scrub your pits with Betadine once or twice a week. Just do it a few minutes before showering. If you're out in the field, rinse well with water or just wear a brown undershirt. At home, you can use 91% rubbing alcohol for the in-between days (ladies don't do this if you've recently shaved). I never wear deodorant, and this works for me. And if I don't do anything, my pits smell like a Whataburger with mustard and onions!

I like to transfer* gel-type deodorants to a 1oz Nalgene squeeze bottle (Mitchum gel works best for me). On the trail I just use the tip of my finger to smear some on. Also, though, you can use cream-type deodorants. These are usually found on the very bottom shelf of the deodorant section; they come in little jars and you're meant to apply them with the tip of your finger. I still like to transfer the cream into a 1oz Nalgene bottle because the jar weighs more than the deodorant itself.
With the gels and creams you can avoid a time-consuming step by not melting down the solid. Also, seems like with gels and creams you use less than the solids, which tend to crumble.
*use a butter knife or other kitchen utensil