Weleda Deodorant Review: a Citrus Roll-On that GAVE US A RASH!
Lynn and I love going to natural stores just to browse. This time we picked a natural deodorant that has proven to be a complete disaster. Read below.
After checking a few natural deodorants out, we opted for the Welleda one. I think it was the ‘citrus’ bit that got us, and the fact that it’s a roll-on, which always makes it look like the deodorants we feel familiar with.
Anyway, here’s a photo of the Welleda natural deodorant:
And here’s a photo of Lynn’s rash after only 2 days of using the deodorant:
OUCH!
But, somehow it didn’t seem to affect her right armpit :
Hm.
The cause could be the citrus in the deodorant and/or the fact that we’re changing to an all-natural lifestyle and our bodies are used to the other stuff. I’m not sure. But I don’t like what I see.
The Story
We visited ‘As Nature Intended‘ just for fun and found ourselves staring at the natural deodorant section.
I have bought two other deodorants that I still need to test, but, so far, this one CLEARLY doesn’t pass the test!
At the shop, we were excited to look at all the different brands. Most deodorants looked promising-ish, and having had such a good experience with natural deodorant ‘Native Unearthed’ (an award-winning brand), we had a difficult task ahead.
After browsing their LOVELY natural products and spending some time on their natural deodorant section we finally settled for the Weleda Natural Roll On Deodorant.
Having looked at several brands and after smelling as well as getting the sense of some of them, Lynn opted for a natural deodorant by Weleda.
I must say it did look promising as roll on deodorants somehow seem to work, not sure why – it must be a perception thing.
It Didn’t Do What it Says on the Label Either
Here’s what the label says:
24 hour reliable protection and freshness. Our citrus 24 hour roll on deodorant provides natural protection from body odour.
Disappointingly, this has not been true for us. It’s not reliable, there’s a ‘smell’ after 1 hour of putting it on (hardly a 24-hour span) and, obviously, this means no protection from body odour.
Check my review on women’s deodorant without aluminum to see a deodorant that so far hasn’t failed us, from the award-winning brand Nature Unearthed.
Interview with Lynn
Lynn, why did you choose this particular deodorant?
Firstly, because I noticed the brand which is a popular natural one. Secondly, because I love anything citrus, and the smell on this one is particularly nice (you know, natural, rather than the artificial lemon). So, in that sense, it does work (maybe you could put a bit on yourself a natural perfume).
How long did you have it on for before you noticed it wasn’t working?
About an hour. And this was on a day that was not even hot.
How long did you have it on for before you noticed the rash?
Overnight, on day 2 of using it. When I lifted my arm I noticed the rash then I checked my other arm and it wasn’t there. It made me feel a bit worried and I noticed that the smell of BO was stronger on that particular armpit. It’s not itching or stinging but my skin has not reacted well to this.
I definitely wouldn’t use this on children.
Are you 100% sure it is the Weleda deodorant that has given you this rash?
Yes, I would have thought so. It’s the only different thing I’ve put under my arm in the last few days and I’ve never reacted to deodorants before so it must be this one.
Are you going to inform the shop about what’s happened?
Yes I am. I’m going to take it back so they’re aware of what’s happened to me. Maybe it’s happened to others and it’ll be good for them to get this feedback. And we will be letting Weleda know of our particular experience.
Has it put you off using Weleda products?
No. I can’t judge the rest of the products by this one. I’d still want to try our products from this brand.
Overall, are you going to use the ‘Nature Unearthed’ one we have instead?
There is no comparison. The ‘Nature Unearthed’ deodorant is fantastic. It goes on smoothly, it doesn’t stain, it actually does what it says on the jar. It’s not sticky (while the Weleda one is a bit sticky and takes long to dry) and, most importantly, it doesn’t give me any rash!
Also, the ‘Natural Unearthed’ deodorant seems to work straight away. (Link here for the review)
Let’s Have a Look at Weleda Citrus Deodorant Ingredients
INCI: Water (Aqua), Alcohol, Triethyl Citrate, Glycerin, Limonene*, Fragrance (Parfum)*, Sodium Caproyl/Lauroyl Lactylate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Distillate, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Phytic Acid, Linalool*, Citronellol*, Geraniol*, Citral*, Eugenol*, Coumarin*, Farnesol*.
(We’re not sure which ingredient triggered the rash. Maybe the limonene. Also, from looking at the ingredients, I already don’t like that it has ‘Fragrance’ (Parfum).)
Settling for Native Unearthed Natural Deodorants Instead!
Well, there you have it. Not much more for us to say about the Weleda natural deodorant.
To my surprise, I saw the Weleda deodorant citrus spray (not the roll on) on Amazon and the reviews seemed to be quite positive. Maybe the roll-on is the problem, I have no idea.
Anyway, here’s my review of the Native Unearthed natural deodorant. It looks great, it feels great, it smells great and so far, it works.
I too have suffered a rash from the same deodorant. I used the spray one in the glass bottle, I have never had a rash from any deodorant ever, it’s under both armpits it’s very red but not itching, I also used the Weleda shower gel which was okay no rash.
Hi Lorraine. Thanks for your input. Interesting. We complained to the brand and left it at that, you never know if it’s ‘just you’ but reading your comment is reassuring. The more I learn about making natural skincare the more I realise how triggering many natural components are. Essential oils, for example. Also all plants are possible triggers in terms of allergies. I’ve quite a few people tell me they can’t tolerate aloe vera, for example. The thing here would be to find out if it’s a component we’re allergic to or if the deodorant has high amounts of the triggering ingredient in the formula. In Europe the cosmetics regulation law is VERY TOUGH when it comes to tests and percentages (how much) of allowed (what) ingredients. But I know it’s not so touch in the US. You can check the differences here: https://cosmeticsinfo.org/cosmetics-regulation. Anyway, thanks again for your input, at the moment I’m using the other deodorant featured on this post (Native Unearthed) which is lovely and smooth but I also have a few natural deodorants I’ll be testing in the near future. Patri xx
I have used this deodorant in both spray and roll-on forms and experienced a horrific allergic reaction to both. I have itchy, bruised, raw, red armpits! I’ve never had an adverse reaction to any other deodorant or perfume!
I complained to Weleda and they reimbursed the purchase price but that was it. I’d really lie to know what ingredient is causing such an unpleasant and harmful reaction. It’s put me off using Weleda full stop.
It looks like some more of us have had this allergic reaction! I agree, reimbursement is the minimum they can do, but what is causing this?
Hi, just found this site after a search of rash after weleda citrus roll on… I loved it, and no bo smell, I’ve been struggling to find a Deoderant that worked for me… However by about day 4 I noticed itching and then the following day huge red welts under each arm… Which I have had to pay attention to healing… I’ve used no Deoderant at all for about a week and am now doing patch tests on the inside of my arm… Wondered if the pomegranate one might be better, feel realky disappointed as after months of trying various atur Deoderants thought I had found one that worked.
Hi Helen – it looks like you also got a rash then. So sorry to hear that. At the moment I’m making my own deodorant with Shea butter, coconut oil, arrowroot powder and essential oils.
I have been using the Waleda citrus spray deodorant and after three days I have the worst red itchy rash.
Argh. So sorry to hear that!!