The Un-odorant
Odor is caused by bacteria, which form on the body. Most deodorants on the market today merely mask that odor with unnecessary and unwanted chemicals. They “de-odorize” with the help of chemicals. Crystal deodorants, made of 100% all natural mineral salts, prevent odor from happening in the first place by neutralizing the bacteria. That’s why we believe our products are actually un-odorants, preventing odor, rather than deodorants which just cover it up.
An un-odorant is natural. An un-odorant is light. An un-odorant is effective. An un-odorant is clean. An un-odorant prevents odor from forming.
The Original Deodorant Stone
What makes Crystal deodorants unique are the powerful, all-natural mineral salts that deliver on a simple promise: preventing body odor from occurring - naturally. Here’s how: mineral salts form a topical layer on the skin, which is inhospitable to bacteria that cause odor. All of our deodorants are hypoallergenic, contain no aluminum chlorohydrate, are paraben free, alcohol-free, non-sticky, and non-staining. They dry instantly and don’t leave any residue. Our award-winning, flagship Crystal Body Deodorant is unscented while our brand new Crystal essence line are lightly scented.
For those with sensitive skin or allergies, or people who simply prefer a healthy alternative to mainstream, chemical-laden deodorants, Crystal deodorants are the ideal choice. Our deodorants are rated #1 by the Environmental Working Group for having the safest ingredients among natural deodorants and among mainstream commercial deodorants.
Crystal deodorants are NOT tested on animals, are safe for the environment and are recommended by Cancer Treatment Centers Nationwide.
Crystal Rock and sticks are produced in Thailand. Our roll-ons and sprays are produced in the United States.
Understanding Mineral Salts
Mineral salts are present in the water we drink, in almost all the foods we eat, and in the air we breathe.
In its natural form, alum is the third most abundant element in nature, after oxygen and silicon. It has been part of our environment since the beginning of time and is one of the basic building blocks of our universe.
Deodorants made of alum based mineral salts feature physically large potassium or ammonium alum molecules which are not absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream.
Alum should not be confused with the controversial and potentially harmful aluminums found in most commercial deodorants and antiperspirants, like aluminum chlorohydrate or aluminum zirconium.
The foundation of Crystal deodorants is natural mineral salt harvested directly from the earth called alum.
The Difference Between Deodorants and Antiperspirants
The most common products used to control body odor are deodorants and antiperspirants. Deodorants work by masking, suppressing or preventing body odor. Deodorants do not tend to reduce the amount of perspiration the body produces. Antiperspirants, on the other hand, use chemicals to inhibit the activity of sweat glands so less moisture is produced. While deodorants are considered to be a cosmetic product because they only control odor, antiperspirants are actually drugs because they affect the physiology of the body. In fact, The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) controls the active ingredients used in antiperspirants because of their drug classification. Although the exact mechanism of this physiological interaction is not fully understood, the theory is that antiperspirant salts form temporary plugs in some of the sweat gland openings inhibiting the secretion of moisture.
Antiperspirants have an aluminum-based compound as their main ingredient. These include Aluminum Chlorohydrate, Aluminum Zirconium, Aluminum Chloride, Tricholorohydrex Glycine and Aluminum Hydroxybromide – each controversial ingredients and, potentially, unhealthy.
Crystal deodorants – the all-natural deodorant alternative to chemically laden commercial deodorants, are composed of mineral salts, which form a topical layer on the skin. While most deodorants mask odor with scents or fragrances, Crystal deodorants actually prevent body odor from beginning by creating a thin barrier above the skin so that bacteria cannot form. Available in both unscented and lightly scented versions, Crystal deodorants are hypoallergenic, non-sticky, non-staining, dry instantly and leave no white residue. Furthermore, Crystal deodorants contain no artificial coloring, chemicals, dyes or alcohol. They contain NO harmful aluminums, are not tested on animals, and are safe for the environment!
For more information on antiperspirants and deodorants, visit the following web sites:
CosmeticsInfo.org
Food and Drug Web Site
National Cancer Institute
Understanding the Difference Between Alum and Aluminum
Technically speaking, aluminum is a metal, whereas alum is a compound. While many aluminum molecules can be absorbed into the skin, alum molecules are too large to be absorbed. Aluminum is a potentially hazardous material regulated by the FDA for its applications in body care products. Studies show that aluminum can accumulate in the brain over time and some health experts are concerned that it may increase the chance of Alzheimer’s disease and breast cancer.
Crystal deodorants are made of natural mineral salts (alum).
Aluminum Chlorhydrate and Why You Should Care.
Aluminum chlorohydrate is a neurotoxin that alters the function of the blood-brain barrier. It is a chemical used in most consumer deodorants and antiperspirants and may cause allergic reactions in some people.
Crystal deodorants do not use aluminum chlorohydrate, aluminum zirconium, or any other harmful aluminum.
The Crystal Story
While traveling in France in 1984, Jerry Rosenblatt, Founder and CEO of Crystal, was introduced to a mineral product used to purify water. That same product, he discovered, also worked as an all-natural yet powerful deodorant. He began importing the minerals, assembled a small team of friends to shape, mold, smooth, and package each stone by hand. No two rocks were the same, measuring anywhere between eight to ten inches in diameter and weighing between six to nine ounces. Jerry named the product Le Crystal Naturel. With a suitcase full of these clunky “rocks,” he met with department store buyers across the U.S. and tried to persuade them to take this odd looking product that promised to prevent body odor, naturally.
His big break came at Henri Bendel, an upscale New York Department Store. Convinced by the Rock’s potential for success, Bendel's ran a full page ad for it in the New York Times. The Rock sold out in one day. The Rock’s success snowballed. Other high end department stores like Bloomingdale’s and Marshall Fields began to stock Le Crystal Naturel and Jerry’s little business was off and running.
As demand grew for the product, Jerry made the crucial decision to begin manufacturing and selling different versions of the Rock in an effort to reach more consumers. The products, now marketed under the Crystal Body Deodorant name were sold through drug store chains and health food stores. First came the stick (1993), then, in quick succession, the spray and the roll-on (1997). The foot deodorant launched in (1997) and the travel stick in (2000). Spring 2009, they will launch their new Crystal essence line of lightly scented all-natural deodorants.
The company owns two patents on the twist-up stick container (US Patent numbers 5,518,715 and 5,902,062), which help the crystal remain firmly in place over a longer period of time. They frequently hear from customers that their Crystal Body Deodorant stick lasts up to a year.
Today, thanks to the loyalty and enthusiasm of their customers, Crystal (as they are commonly known) markets and sells its products through over 20,000 stores across the US and Canada, Europe, Latin America, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
Crystal continues to produce and sell its original Rock product throughout the world and its ingredients continue to be the DNA inside all of their all natural deodorants.
They are a member of "The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics" and pledge that any products they make will meet the standards and deadlines set by the European Union Directive 76/768/eeC to be free of chemicals that are known or strongly suspected of causing cancer, mutation or birth defects.
They also pledge that their products have never been and never will be tested on animals.
They believe in giving back to our communities and they donate generously to Cancer Treatment Centers nationwide, humane societies, schools, homeless shelters, fundraisers, food banks and various other charities.
Jerry’s still with them and he still uses Crystal deodorants every day – naturally!.
