I have been using Tom’s of Maine deodorant, particularly this scent, for many years. It has served me well. Lately, I attempted to make my own deodorant, with mixed results. Due to the smelly part of those results, I went back to my old friend. But I figured it was time to take a look at what it was made out of if.
Price – $$ ($$6-10)
Depending on where you buy this product, it will cost you anywhere from $5 to $7 dollars. I typically buy mine at Walmart, which is just under $5 at the time of writing this post.
Glide factor/Feeling on skin ★★★★★
I love how this deodorant slides smoothly over my skin. I like to cover a lot of area under my arm pit, and this product allows that. It is clear and doesn’t leave white residue, as some deodorants do.
Volume ★★★★☆
This product is 2.25 oz. which is on the smaller size for full-tubes of deodorant. It is full-sized and not travel-sized.
Ingredients
Propylene Glycol (Vegetable Derived) – This is the base for this deodorant. The propylene glycol in this product is derived from plants, instead of being a petroleum product. Propylene glycol is used in a wide variety of products, including antifreeze, cosmetics, personal care products and paints. When vegetable derived, it acts as humectant, can help condition skin and improve the glide of a product.
This ingredient can be hard to distinguish between the vegetable derived from the petroleum derived in an ingredients list, unless specified by the manufacturer.
Water – This is basic H2O. See your local water faucet.
Sodium Stearate – This ingredient is derived from coconut and palm oils. It is used to give the product a solid shape. It is a fatty acid that is commonly found in soaps, and is created during the saponification (soap making) process.
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice (Organic) – Aloe Vera is known for its healing properties, particularly of wounds. It also has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, as well as being a moisturizer. It has multiple vitamins and minerals. Aloe Vera is grown in warm areas of the world.
Glyceryl Laurate – This ingredient is a skin-conditioning agent that is plant based. It acts as an emulsifier, emollient, boosts preservatives and acts as a thickening agent.
Natural Fragrance – According to their website, the natural fragrances contain essential oils and other plant derivatives.
Humulus Lupulus (Hops) Cone Extract (extracted with Co2) – Hops is mostly known for their presence in beer, where it acts as a preservative. In deodorant, that preservative helps to fight odors. The resin from the cone of the hops is the part of the plant used for this application.
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil (Organic) – This oil is pressed from the seed of the sunflower. Sunflower oil provides moisturization and is an antioxidant. Tom’s of Maine uses cold-presses oils.
Ascorbic Acid – Another name for ascorbic acid is vitamin C. It is best known for the prevention of scurvy, and is an antioxidant.
Cymbopogon flexuosus oil (Organic) – This ingredient is the essential oil of lemongrass. It is use for its odor-fighting properties.
Tom’s of Maine lists all the ingredients in this product on their website, and includes links that explain more about each ingredient. It is worth your time to read.
Smell ★★★☆☆
This product has a mild smell, but I’m not sure that I would definitively call it apricot. Whatever the smell is, it is pleasant.
Deodorant or Antiperspirant?
The packaging for this product claims that it is a deodorant, while the Tom’s of Maine website also lists it as an antiperspirant. I would say that the deodorant part is definitely true, but I wouldn’t call this an antiperspirant. I do sweat, but not much. I also don’t stink until after 24 hours of application. Many years ago, I attempted to stop the sweating as well by switching to a true antiperspirant. I sweated even worse than before. So I went back to this product.
If you don’t want to sweat and have success with an antiperspirant, than this product may not be for you. However, if you don’t mind a bit of wetness in the armpit, give this a try.
Packaging ★★☆☆☆
The packaging for this product is made of white plastic. And unless you recycle plastic or have a very creative use for used deodorant containers, this packaging is definitely disposable. The Tom’s of Maine website does offer ideas on how to recycle their containers, if recycling is not available in your area.
How is it made – handmade or commercially produced
Based on the open jobs on their website, I would say that Tom’s of Maine’s products are created in a factory. They do not claim to be handmade.
Overall value ★★★★☆
If you are comparing this product to the other deodorants and antiperspirants on the shelf at Walmart, this product will be more expensive. However, when you compare the ingredients to those of the competition on the shelf, the ingredients are by far better. I am giving it an overall value of four stars because I think it could be a little bit bigger. But this product does last me a long time. So that rating may be a bit unfair.
My overall impression ★★★★☆
I am giving this product an overall score of four stars. While I definitely would recommend this product over the competition at Walmart, I think that for me to give it five stars, it would have a container that is easier to recycle, as well as having all ingredients be less manufactured. As someone who is attempting to make their own products, ingredients are a big deal and have given me many moments of internal wrestling. I will end by saying that if you don’t mind a few ingredients that are a bit processed and don’t want to make your own, this is a great product. As I said at the beginning, I have been using this product for years. That should say something right there.