“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” is an adage people generally stick to where their deodorant (or anti-perspirant) is concerned. Despite being in a happy, long-standing relationship with my deodorant, I wanted to annoy my partner, my dermatologist, my eczema , and my underarm pH balance by testing 15+ options in four months. My pits were primed! I turned up the heat, wore wool sweaters, and tested seven natural deodorants, then six anti-perspirants — each for three to four days with at least one day of underarm rest in between.

What I learned: I can sweat — a good amount. I can also smell like cheese left in a Ziploc bag in a car parked under peak UV sun. My eczema was not under control, and new isn’t always better because I wound up reverting to my original deodorant at the end of th

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