Review: Himalayan Crystal Salt Deodorant Bar

Name of product

Himalayan Crystal Salt Deodorant Bar by Universal Vision.

Cost

R51 per bar from Faithful to Nature.

My rating

3/ 5 stars

Will I buy this again?

Yes.

Review Criteria

1.) COST

I personally think that this product is very cost-effective, considering that the bar will last up to a year or longer (if you are careful not to break it first). It is the size of a standard soap bar. This price is also on par with similar synthetic products like Dischem’s crystal deodorant, which costs about R60.

Bottom line: The most cost-effective deodorant option on the market. A little goes a heck of a long way.

2.) INGREDIENTS

This is just one big block of salt, and nothing else. Or for the sake of being fancy, then it’s technically nothing more than Sodium Chloride (NaCl). Any product with just ONE natural ingredient ranks well in my books. It contains no harmful chemicals, oils, perfumes or preservatives.

Unlike other crystal deodorants or deodorant stones (including Dischem’s crystal deodorant, pictured on the right), this product truly is aluminium-free. If you read the ingredients, most crystal deodorant’s list “alum”, which yes, is short for aluminium. But not this product – this is just salt. The biggest problem with synthetic deodorants is the aluminium, which is a very controversial ingredient that is proposed to cause or be linked to breast cancer among other things. Read more about the dangers of aluminium here. This product, on the other hand, uses the same principle as the crystal deodorants, but instead is made entirely of Himalayan salt; making this the safest alternative to crystal deodorants.

Bottom line: This is truly aluminium-free (unlike other crystal deodorants). It’s purely salt.

3.) APPLICATION

Seasoning your armpits, instead of your food with salt seems bizarre to say the least! This deodorant is applied by sprinkling a few drops of water onto the salt bar, and then gently wiping the bar onto your skin as you would with roll-on. The idea is that the salt will dissolve and leave a residue under your arms.  Since salt is naturally antibacterial and anti-fungal, it makes sense that it would make an effective deodorant. When applied to the skin, salt absorbs moisture, exfoliates and detoxifies. Salt is also a natural preservative, so you never have to worry about an expiry date. Application is simple, but without any handle or applicator, it is very easy for the product to slip out of your hands and break completely into chunks and shards. A broken product would annoy anyone (and yes, this has happened to me). However, at an affordable cost and indefinite shelf life – it may be worth the risk.

Bottom line: Easy to apply, but it will likely slip out of your hands and break if you are not careful.

4.) EFFECTIVENESS

ANTIPERSPIRANT

If you are looking for a hardcore antiperspirant that keeps you dry the whole day, then sadly, this product is not for you. However, if you are happy with a light antiperspirant that keeps body odor at bay, then I recommend trying this product. You might sweat, but you won’t stink.

TIP: I personally like to spray the salt bar with a lavender water solution (instead of just water). This provides additional antibacterial action, a fresh scent, and soothes the potential sting of the salt. I recommend you try it. You can mix a few drops of any antibacterial essential oil with water, I just prefer the scent  and soothing action of lavender. This mixture also doubles up as an antibacterial body spray.

STAINING

This salt bar will not stain clothing, which is often the downside to other products on the market, and a downside to making your own antiperspirant roll-on. So, it’s a big plus for this salt bar!

SKIN SENSITIVITY

The biggest drawback about this product, and the reason for my 3-star rating is its reaction with sensitive skin. The bottom line is that salt burns. If you’ve ever had a dip in the ocean with an open wound, you’ll know what I mean. Unfortunately, this means that you cannot apply this deodorant after shaving without suffering through (what seems like) a fire in your armpits! This also means that people with sensitive skin may never be able to use the product without experiencing skin irritation.

Before you buy this product, I highly recommend first going to the kitchen cabinet and applying a concentrated salt solution to your armpits, as a sort of patch test. To do this, dissolve fine salt with a few drops of water and apply the concentration to your underarms. I can almost guarantee that the first time WILL sting, because your skin is not used to it. So I suggest you do it every day for a week (to unshaven skin). If it still stings by the end of the week – don’t buy this product. When I used this product for the first time, it burned. Now I can use it every day without a problem, even on the days that I shave. My skin is now used to it. This factor makes the product exclusive – so it’s not for everyone.

Bottom line: This deodorant is not for everyone, because salt burns sensitive skin.

5.) PACKAGING

The salt bar is packaged in a clear, resealable plastic bag similar to a small Ziploc bag, which is unnecessary and avoidable. This product would be easy to package in a recyclable cardboard box, recycled paper bag, or nothing at all.

Bottom line: Unnecessary plastic packaging when a zero-waste or paper option is completely viable.

SUMMARY

CHERRY ON TOP:

• Cost-effective. The product will last over a year and only costs R51.
• Very long shelf life.
• One natural ingredient – salt.
• Does not stain clothing.
• Prevents body odor.

CHALLENGE:

• It is not a strong antiperspirant. You will not stay dry all day.
• Irritates/ burns sensitive, or freshly shaven skin.
• Fragile. It will break if you drop it.
• Unnecessary plastic packaging.

If you would like to try this product, you can buy it here.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The opinions expressed in this review are my own, and I have NOT been paid to write this post. I have purchased the product myself, and this review shares my individual experience and observations of the product.