Another deodorant bites the dust

Rather, another deodorant kills my pits.

Fair do's: 

I'm going to get into some TMI ("Too much information") regarding a deodorant I recently was using and what it was doing to my arm pits. 

If talking about body stuff skeeves you out, leave now. 

Read a past post on this blog, or keep checking in to see if I've got something new. 

If you want to continue, read on.

A few months ago, I picked up two deodorant sticks from a brand called "Nubian Heritage". They were on sale and the product information reads as being "Aluminum Free" as well as having "Certified Organic" and "Fair Trade" ingredients. 

The two sticks I picked up were "Hemp & Vetiver" and "Patchouli & Buriti". 

The first one I opened (and only one I've tried) has been the Hemp & Vetiver. 

The ingredient list on the back of the stick states:

"Propanediol, Glycerin, Water, Sodium Stearate, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, Silica, Zinc Ricinoleate, Fragrance, Polyglyceryl-3 Caprate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter *❤, Cannabis Sativa (Hemp) Seed Oil, Vetiveria Zizanoides (Vetiver) Root Oil, Melia Azadirachta (Neem) Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Seed Extract, Allantoin Tocopherol, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Sucrose Cocoate, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate

* Certified Organic Ingredient.

❤Fair Trade Ingredient 

Natural ingredients may vary in color and consistency"

I typed the entire list from the back of the stick:

The challenge is, Amazon is selling the stick with the following (mistyped - "ffrom") ingredient list:

"With Pure Non GMO Glycols ffrom Corn. Propanediol, Glycerin (Vegetable), Water, Sodium Stearate, Silica, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, Zinc Ricinoleate, Fragrance (Proprietary Essential Oil Blend), Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)*, Hemp Seed Oil, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Seed Extract, Saccharomyces Ferment, Polyglyceryl-3 Caprate, Sucrose Cocoate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Allantoin, Neem (Melia Azadirachta) Seed Oil *Certified Organic Ingredient"

It seems like there is some minor differences in the listings. For example, the "glycerin" listed on the website says it is vegetable but the tube does not state where it's derived from. The fragrance on the website is a "proprietary essential oil blend" but only says "Fragrance" on the tube. The "Hemp Seed Oil" on the tube is "Cannabis Sativa [Hemp Seed Oil"] but the Amazon listing just says "Hemp Seed Oil". 

I'm no scientist or chemist, so I don't know the difference in a lot of these items. However, it goes on to not be equal footing on either listing I'm reading. Whatever "Allantoin" is, it's got a second name of "Tocopherol" on the tube. The same goes with the Neem oil - the tube adds "seed" to their description. The "Saccharomyces Ferment" is filtrated on the tube I have, but not in any other iteration? I don't know nor do I pretend to know.

After cross checking both lists, it appears there are things missing as well. On the version I have, they list "Vetiveria Zizanoides (Vetiver) Root Oil", Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil", "Potassium Sorbate" and "Sodium Benzoate". None of those are listed on the website version. The only thing I see that is 'extra' is the "Pure Non GMO Glycols ffrom Corn" listing on the Amazon version. 

Either someone got lazy (whoever added this to the website), or there really is something different about the packaging. Some of the pictures online show the entire product information, like I have it, but the wording is different once it is all typed up on the page. Although, other (big box retailers) websites show similar information to the Amazon description. It's really weird. 

Reviews are saying there's got to be a formula change with this company, because people are breaking out in massive rashes. Pictures are being posted and harsh assessments are being written. Which leads me to the reason why I'm posting my own long winded and long traveled documentation. 

I too, am suffering from some crazy rash looking thing in my pits.

No, I'm not posting pictures. Just trust me on this, as I've stated in the past that I've got issues with certain skin care items. 

I first thought it was because I shaved too close and with all the exercising / sweating I'm doing, on top of it being hot and humid here in Florida, I was having a heat rash type of effect under my arms. But once I started looking around online for answers, I stumbled on a few deodorant fora and found the comments about this specific brand doing a number on people and they're not happy. Don't let the 4 and 5 stars fool you; hidden in the comments are the negatives. Even in the positive ones. 

As an aside, I hate when people give high marks for a product but give low remarks as to why it's bad. You're tricking the algorithm into thinking this is an amazing thing, when it's really not. I mean, there are honestly some awesome products out there, and when you try to be "natural" or add chemical free stuff to your line, you're helping a lot of people. But when people have bad reactions and make comments as such, please don't say it's high star worthy (don't rate it 5 stars and say it's 2 star product). If you're going to be honest and give a lousy review, downgrade your stars to match the content. 

If I were writing a review of this product, I'd be forthright. I'd say something to the effect of: 

"Overall, it's 3 stars for the ingredient list because having an aluminum free deodorant is great for a lot of people. Being fair trade and organic is another perk because there is a lot of deforestation happening out there and pretty soon we're going to be too overloaded as an empty "urban jungle" (because companies leave as quick as they're erected). This will cause a loss in the natural plants that make any type of body product, no matter how much chemicals you want to add to it. Science or not, I know it takes longer to create natural products and it costs more money (and sometimes adds extra fossil fuels to the environment) but the trade off is you're putting something on your skin that won't do any harm (or as much harm). Which is why this deodorant is a 1 or 2 star product. There's something in here that conflicts with the body's own ecosystem. It's wreaking havoc on people, and by personal experience, my own skin can't handle whatever is being put in and not being listed in this deodorant. It only took a few days and I started breaking out in what looks like hives or a heat rash. It then took a few more days to start to clear up, once I stopped using it. I'm a little more mindful now of what I'm doing to let my pits breathe, and I know I won't buy this product again. I have to begrudgingly give it a full 2 stars because I can't give it any more than that".

Truly, it's not a formal review by any means, and I know it probably doesn't make much sense. I'm not trying to be rude or mean or overtly negative, but I wouldn't want to rate this product anything higher than a 2, purely based on the fact I had a problem with it. If I were to say the whole product is worth a 4 or more, it would be a lie and my review pushes whatever website I add my opinion to, to the top of the list. It also adds high marks to the overall number. I'm not doing that because it's not fair for anyone else who might get the same reaction. As it is, I question why people say "4 out of 5 stars" or "5 out of 5" when they give a 2 or 3 start comment. Again, it's not right.

For me, the ordeal wasn't an "omfg I'm gonna die" reaction, but it wasn't comfortable either. I sweat a lot as it is, because I am a fat kid. I will always be a fat kid. I try to stay healthy and stay clean (like everyone else does, because you have to, if you want to continue to be an actively social person). I attempt to put products on my body that I think are good for me, just like I also attempt to eat food that is good for me. However, I can I admit I have down falls. It is something I try to keep up with, especially since I'm self conscious about things (there are times everyone else says I'm fine, though. They tell me I smell nice some days, but it's because I am using a new soap or shampoo). 

I know my limits and what I react badly to. It took a few different products to know I can't handle the essential oil version of lemongrass ("Cymbopogon Flexuosus" / "Cymbopogon Citratus"). I can put other oils on my body (coconut, patchouli), but definitely not lemongrass. Unless, for some strange reason, I can't handle any citrus oil and since the Nubian Heritage Hemp & Haitian Vetiver contains grapefruit seed extract, maybe I need to add "essential citrus oil" to my no fly list. 

But, that's still doesn't excuse the fact other people have had challenges. If people are saying "I broke out after using this" or "I think there's a change in the formula because I smell worse" than there's a problem and it's not just me and my crazy lemongrass theory.

Yes, I too smelled bad after wearing this. It was because my armpits were trying to get rid of whatever the hidden ingredient is (or potentially the grapefruit seed oil). I smelled like I hadn't showered or washed my limbs in over a day, when in fact, I shower every morning and sometimes in the evening if I end up going to the gym that afternoon, for the second time. I really did like the smell of this deodorant and it went on smoothly, albeit, a little loose (wet) one day, which was odd. But I think someone said that too in a review. While I was wearing the deodorant, it kept me dry for a little bit, but at the end of the day, my underarms looked like I went a few rounds with someone's fist. My pits were red and bumpy and didn't smell clean like I usually do, after wearing a "works for 24-48 hours" scent. 

Therefore I'm back to Native today, because I bought "fresh mistletoe" during an after Christmas sale at Target. Yes, it's taken me five months to get to it, as I've been using a few other brands before I could get to this one. 

Oh, and I haven't tried the Nubian Heritage Patchouli & Buriti because now that I've had an incident with the Hemp & Vetiver, I'm concerned about trying the Patchouli one. Even though I know some of the ingredients won't be an issue, it's everything else listed that I'm leery about.

Per the back of the tube I purchased:

"Propanediol, Glycerin, Water, Sodium Stearate, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, Silica, Zinc Ricinoleate, Polygyceryl-3 Caprate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter* ❤, Pogostemum Cablin (Patchouli) Leaf Extract, Mauritia Flexuosa (Buriti) Fruit Oil, Rosa Canina (Rosehip) Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Seed Extract, Allantoin Tocopherol, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Sucrose Cocoate, Saccharomyces  Ferment Filtrate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Fragrance

* Certified Organic Ingredient

❤ Fair Trade Ingredient 

Natural ingredients may vary in color and consistency"

If I have any miss-spellings, my bad. I can't see so great some days. My eyesight is getting worse by the year. 

This too, has a lot of mixed reviews on Amazon, even people saying they have had bad things happen to their body after using it (like it leaves them smelling downright nasty, even though the natural patchouli fragrance shouldn't do that). 

I like the smell of patchouli. I've said that before. It's mellow enough in this particular stick, that there's an underlying fruit aroma with it. Maybe it's the buriti that I'm smelling because there's just enough of a whiff of patchouli, that you're not drowning in it. The more I open the stick and take a sniff, the more I'm smelling a cleanliness to it. It's bright. If I knew this wouldn't give me an issue, I'd test it out. I don't want to take that risk, especially since there are people saying this too is doing damage to them. 

It really has to be the overall brand, and that's a shame. They're trying to do something good and it's coming off as bad. Yes, there are loads of positive conversations about Nubian Heritage and people are liking it. 

I've taken well over 3 hours to write this blog post and I've been searching and searching for information on the company. It seems like a lot of roads lead to reports saying Unilever acquired this brand several years ago and has taken control of it. 

One website says that Unilever is not a cruelty free company, but they're allegedly honoring the original company's wishes by maintaining the mission of staying true to the roots of the creators ("Nubian Heritage aims to bring together traditional healing practices, cultural wisdom, and indigenous ingredients to create natural solutions for skin and hair care" "AI Overview on the brand Here). 

According to an "AI Overview" on Google (keyword search "unilever nubian heritage"):

"Nubian Heritage is a beauty and personal care company known for its natural ingredients and focus on African-inspired formulas. It is a subsidiary of Unilever, which acquired Sundial Brands (the parent company of Nubian Heritage) in 2017. Nubian Heritage’s products include body washes, lotions, deodorants, and hair care items.

Origins:

Nubian Heritage was founded in Harlem, NY, with the mission to create modern natural solutions using traditional African healing practices and ingredients.

Ingredients:

Products offers feature ingredients like shea butter, black seed oil, cocoa butter, and mango butter

Purpose:

Nubian Heritage aims to provide natural, effective solutions for skin and hair care while honoring African heritage."

[I've copied some bits from the screen grab above. Sadly, I didn't copy the link where I pulled it from]

I don't know if this link shows up, but it's where I got the following screen grab. It's the same as where I pulled the mission statement:

"Nubian Heritage is a beauty and personal care brand that is part of Unilever's Sundial Brands subsidiary. Unilever acquired Sundial Brands, which also includes SheaMoisture and Nyakio, in November 2017. Nubian Heritage focuses on natural and traditional African ingredients and practices, offering a range of hair and skin care products. 

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

Sundial Brands:

Sundial Brands, founded in 1991, is a beauty and personal care company that focuses on serving the Black community through strategic investment and community give-back. 

Unilever Acquisition:

In 2017, Unilever, a multinational consumer goods company, acquired Sundial Brands. 

Nubian Heritage:

Nubian Heritage is one of Sundial Brands' key brands, known for its natural and ethically sourced ingredients, especially shea butter. 

Focus on Black Community:

Both Nubian Heritage and the broader Sundial Brands portfolio are committed to addressing the needs of the Black community through their products and business practices. 

Continued Operations:

Sundial Brands continues to operate as a separate unit within Unilever, with Richelieu Dennis, the founder and CEO of Sundial Brands, continuing to lead the business."

The AI Overview on detailed look on unilever nubian heritage says:

"Nubian Heritage is a personal care brand that was founded in 1992 and later acquired by Unilever in 2017. It focuses on producing luxurious products inspired by traditional African recipes. Nubian Heritage offers a variety of products, including body lotions, body washes, deodorants, and hair care products, many of which are infused with ingredients like shea butter, aloe vera, and essential oils. 

Here's a more detailed look:

Origins and Philosophy:

Nubian Heritage was founded by two New York street vendors with the goal of creating high-quality, natural products using traditional African recipes. They aim to provide luxurious products that are both effective and ethical. 

Ingredients:

Nubian Heritage products often contain natural ingredients like shea butter, African black soap, aloe vera, and various essential oils, which are sourced from different parts of the world. 

Product Range:

Body Care: Body lotions, body washes, and hand creams are popular products, often featuring moisturizing and nourishing ingredients like shea butter. 

Hair Care: Nubian Heritage offers deep conditioning masques and other products for hair, designed to strengthen and nourish hair follicles. 

Deodorants: Some Nubian Heritage deodorants, like the Honey & Black Seed version, claim to combat odor naturally and also help control wetness. 

Unilever Acquisition:

In 2017, Unilever acquired Nubian Heritage's parent company, Sundial Brands, which also includes other brands like SheaMoisture. 

Ethical Practices:

Nubian Heritage is cruelty-free and does not test on animals. They also focus on using ethically sourced ingredients. "

I must say, I've got to take the information with a grain of salt. It's just that I'm finding a lot of varying degrees of articles (as proven by the level of AI Overviews for the keywords of "Unilever Nubian Heritage") and I can't seem to find a whole lot of background on the brand since there is a block on my end, where I can't see the Nubian Heritage webpage. I can't link to it as I get a 

"This site can’t provide a secure connection [...] [it] uses an unsupported protocol.

ERR_SSL_VERSION_OR_CIPHER_MISMATCH

Unsupported protocol

The client and server don't support a common SSL protocol version or cipher suite."

As such, there's not a lot of information, outside of Sundial Brands originally owned Nubian Heritage and Unilever bought Sundial. Unilever now owns everything Sundial owned. According to the above posted picture, the original concept was that Nubian Heritage was "founded in Harlem, NY, with the mission to create modern natural solutions using traditional African healing practices and ingredients".  There's a little chain link next to the highlighted text and it goes to several websites, including a Facebook page. 

Unfortunately, there are several people on the social network site, looking for answers. Including whether or not Nubian went out of business completely, as well as why on Earth was the formula changed for all the products. Nothing seems to be updated since 2019 and the formula conversation is when they announced the Unilever merger. There's way too much back and forth and it's a tough read because you want to believe the company, but you also want to believe the client. It's sad and it's mad. 

I don't want to keep sounding like a broken record or a negative person. I want to share as much information as I can, because it can happen to anyone. If I am having an issue and am finding others are having an issue, who knows who else hasn't, and won't say anything? This is like my "buyer beware" segment and I want to be able to try something and hope it works. If it doesn't, I want to know why. What's changed, are other people reporting problems, is the company doing something different? Or, it could just be a fluke and only happening to me. You just never know until you go through it and then research it. 

Which is why I say in a lot of my posts, "do your research. Ask questions and seek answers". This is my answer to a problem I had. I am reporting to whoever reads this, to be mindful of a new product I tried, and if they want to try it themselves, just know it could cause a reaction (but you'll love the first smell of the product when you wear it).

I've got to start wrapping this up. It's been going on too long. So stay clean, stay fresh. Stay out of chemical imbalances. 

Cheers;