Q. My dermatologist says my antiperspirant is blocking my pores, and I should look for a deodorant without antiperspirant. Is MoM from People’s Pharmacy a deodorant only or both?
A. MoM (milk of magnesia) is ONLY a deodorant. In order for a product to claim to be an antiperspirant it has to contain aluminum salts (Aluminum Zirconium Trichlorohydrex
, Aluminum Zirconium Oxtachlorohydrex
, Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex). Without aluminum in the underarm product the FDA will not allow claims such as “protects against wetness,” or “long-lasting antiperspirant action.”
Even so-called “natural” crystal antiperspirant stones contain aluminum. The active ingredient is usually “alum,” which is frequently aluminum potassium sulfate.
Aluminum salts plug sweat glands (or to quote your dermatologist–“block pores” and reduce the amount of perspiration reaching the surface of the skin. Less sweat means less bacterial activity and reduced underarm odor. But some people experience irritation or a rash from aluminum salts. Others worry that they are absorbing a little bit of aluminum into their body every day from their antiperspirant. There continues to be scientific concern about a link between aluminum and neurotoxicity or dementia:
“The hypothesis that Al [aluminum] significantly contributes to AD [Alzheimer’s Disease] is built upon very solid experimental evidence and should not be dismissed. Immediate steps should be taken to lessen human exposure to Al, which may be the single most aggravating and avoidable factor related to AD” (Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, April, 2011).
Milk of Magnesia (MoM) does not reduce perspiration. And we cannot guarantee that it will stop odor for everyone. Some people report that their body odor is such that MoM just doesn’t do the job. That said, many others report that milk of magnesia is gentle and surprisingly effective. Unlike aluminum, which does our bodies no good whatsoever, magnesium is an essential element for good health. Without magnesium we would all be in big trouble. In fact many of us are low in this crucial electrolyte.
Here are some stories about the benefits of MoM:
“I have been using MOM for about 2 years now, ever since I read about it on your site. I put it in a little soap dispenser with a pump top. I put a squirt in the palm of my hand and rub it in.
“In the past I always had to shower before going out but not now. It is a relief to skip the shower at times. Today I am going to softball practice at noon and will shower later before going to Good Friday services tonight. When I used regular deodorant it only lasted for that day. The next morning the underarm odor was back.”
J.H. March 29, 2013
Q. Do you worry about the daily application of bleach that is in Milk of Magnesia? What is its purpose in a product meant to be ingested anyway?
Laura, March 29, 2013
A. We suspect that the makers of milk of magnesia put bleach in their products as a preservative. We actually are concerned about the bleach (sodium hypochlorite) that is found in virtually all over-the-counter oral milk of magnesia laxatives. That’s one of the reasons why we created The People’s Pharmacy Milk of Magnesia Roll-On Deodorant (without the bleach). The other reason was to make it more convenient than having to splash a handful of MoM on your underarms. A roll-on is so much more convenient.
“I already use your Milk of Magnesia deodorant, and love it for the convenience and effectiveness, but I start with a spritz of vodka, which sort of provides a clean slate after the shower.
“Using vodka to fight body odors is no recent discovery. Ask any professional who handles theatrical wardrobe (stage, film, amusement parks, etc.) Think about it: thousands of dollars go into designing and building costumes for Elmo or Aida, and this stuff can’t just be tossed in the washer. Many costumes can’t even be dry cleaned, but have to be disassembled, cleaned by hand, then reassembled, which can’t happen every day.
“So, what do those in charge use? Vodka spritz. Take them off, hang them up, spray them down with vodka, and let them air dry. That process will suffice for many, many wearings. And costumers have been using this technique for — literally — decades, as far back as Vaudeville. They swear by it, and will tell you that the cheaper the vodka, the better. So the fact that it works on the body makes perfect sense.
“Oh, and vodka also makes a great alternative to the nasty chemical stew that is marketed as household fabric freshener.
“The only problem is explaining to strangers why you have industrial-sized jugs of vodka in the house.”
“OMG…this stuff was my miracle!
“I don’t know why my pits were so smelly. I drink lots of water and am small in weight (120 lbs).
“When I showered I scrubbed my underarms either with scrubs or soaps with menthol to get rid of the odor. No matter what I used it was a musty smell under my arms before I even got out the shower. I wanted to cry when I kept trying things and it was helpless.
“I continued to search for advice and try different remedies and every brand of deodorant. I went through the sea salt, baking soda, lemon juice, vinegar, alcohol and nothing helped. No matter what I tried, in a matter of seconds the musty smell started again.
“One day at work an older coworker asked me to step into the bathroom with her and she said I’m not being rude at all but I have daughters and I noticed the smell and I got this for you. I can’t imagine who else smelled me. I was soooo embarrassed but she was respectful about it. She purchased me a deodorant and I wanted to die.
“Then I found this website with people speaking of this milk of magnesia and I couldn’t wait to buy this stuff.
“I went to Duane Reade and got the big blue bottle. I went home showered and dried my pits and patted a layer of the liquid under my arms and let it dry for two minutes. It had no scent at all. I kept sniffing my underarms in relief. I had my family sniffing. I was so excited.
“The milk of magnesia gave me extra confidence! The next day I still had no musty smell under my arms. I shouted in the morning that this stuff works miracles!!
“Anyone with underarm odor that cannot be covered up, I recommend this product. you will not regret it. Trust me!”
J.D., Oct. 31, 2012
For those who prefer not to use an off-the-shelf milk of magnesia product with a chlorine-based bleach preservative on their underarms, we offer The People’s Pharmacy Milk of Magnesia Roll-On Deodorant. Do let us know how well it works (or if it doesn’t). We really need your feedback!
