My product review for today is a deodorant stick by Hugo Naturals scented with Mexican Lime & Bergamot.  I found mine at iherb, 1.5 oz for $5.45.

I don’t use antiperspirant anymore as I think it’s healthier for the body to breathe. I have also stopped using drugstore deodorants because there are too many strange ingredients I rather avoid - especially propylene glycol and aluminum.

I actually use these alum rocks from Thailand for years now, but I wanted to try something new.

And Hugo Naturals sounded really nice.  The design and packaging was also neat. I also like the list of natural ingredients. And the product description was very promising.

“Our Powerful Formula Helps Keep You Fresh All Day Long. Gentle yet effective, our rich deodorant contains rice powder to help absorb perspiration. Non-irritating, non-staining. Crafted from cruelty-free ingredients. Always free of artificial fragrances, artificial colors, parabens, petroleum products, and animal fats.”

A partial list includes: (Organic Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Sorbitan Olivate, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Hull Powder, Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime) Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Leaf Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Leaf Extract, (Rosemary) Leaf Oil,  and Japanese HoneySuckle Extract.

But how effective was this natural deodorant stick? I’ve tried Tom’s of Maine and Kiss My Face, but they were disappointing. I have to say Hugo Naturals deodorant will join this list too.  I guess it’s because it’s a deodorant stick, that’s why it’s not so effective.

At least it smells nice, the lime and bergamot is a nice combination. The fragrance last for a few hours and it’s very uplifting and good way to perk you up. I think maybe this deodorant is better for days when I won’t be doing much exercise.  Maybe I’ll use it to moisturize my elbow and knees instead.

In conclusion, I do not recommend this product and would probably never buy one again. Another thing, the deodorant stick itself fills up less then half of the plastic packaging (at 1.5 oz). What a waste of plastic too!

So now it’s back to the alum rocks for me.

Update 9/15/09:  It had to do some extra yard work later in the day and decided to put on some Hugo first.  2 hours later, it’s working fine.  I think it’s best to “re-apply” this stuff every few hours for it to be effective.  Either way, it’s still expensive for only 1.5 oz and the alum deodorant rocks are still a better deal.