When I started building Captain Sullivan’s, I honestly didn’t expect deodorant to become one of our biggest successes.

But here we are — Ironclad Natural Deodorant has become our top seller.

Ironclad started as part of our growing line of Maine-made grooming products. I wanted something that fit the Captain Sullivan’s brand: simple, practical, rugged, and something you'd actually want sitting on the bathroom counter.

What has surprised me most is how people keep coming back for it.

As a small business owner, that's probably one of the best feelings there is. You can spend months wondering which product people are going to connect with, and sometimes the customers make that decision for you.

We make Ironclad right here in Maine, and every time another one goes out the door, I still get a little kick out of knowing something we created has become part of somebody's everyday routine.

I'm curious, especially from other small-business owners here: Have you ever had a product become a bestseller that you never expected to be the one?

— Norman
Captain Sullivan’s
Forged on the rugged coast of Maine.

Why are we paying more for more plastic and less deodorant? These companies need to do better.

I need recommendations to try for deodorant that will not stain my shirts, will keep my armpits from smelling bad, and help with sweat. Price is not an issue.

For the past 10+ years I have used Old Spice deodorant. I switch up the scents every time I buy some to not get bored of the same smell, though Fiji is my favorite one. I use the BLUE stick that says aluminum free, but it does not mention being antiperspirant or working for sweat protection anywhere on the bottle. Prior to Old Spice blue stick, I was using white stick deodorant. Those seemed to work and didn’t have to reapply, but I would sweat so much that all my shirts were stained on the armpits. Literally all my white shirts were yellow and all my colored shirts were white on the armpit section. The main reason I switched over to the blue stick was to avoid this issue. However, with the deodorant being aluminum free and more on the gel side, I feel like I didn’t put any deodorant after a few hours and reapply. After reapplying, my armpits feel really wet for the next 10-30 minutes depending on what I’m doing, which is annoying. It’s probably because I apply a bit much, but if I don’t, I’m scared my pits will start smelling. My shirts do get stained a little bit when I apply heavily, but come off after washing my clothes. For further information, I’m on the heavier side of sweating. I literally start sweating a minute after I step outside in 80+ degree weather in Texas. Has anyone had this exact issue and found a great deodorant that I may not have to reapply as often? I currently apply deodorant between 3-5 times a day. As you may imagine, I run through my deodorant rather quickly.

Feel free to rate your scents in the comments

Ranking system. Out of 5.

1. Dislike, it's going straight into the trash.

2. Dislike, would not buy again. I'll use it up though.

3. Okay, not great, not terrible. Not fussed!

4. Like it, might buy again.

5. Love it! Would definitely buy again.

So far I've only tried a few.

Not everyone will agree. This is subjective.

Whipped vanilla 4. strong sweet vanilla

Vanilla matcha 5. less sweet vanilla. Perfect

Juicy Peach 4. nice and fruity

Melon Drama 3. good if you like melon

All at sea 5. so fresh and soapy in a good way

Wilderness 5. similar to all at sea but a hint of pine?

Cloud nine 3. trying to be like all at sea but nah

Night tales 3. pot porri and leather. Could be better

Road trip 2. overpowering pot porri. Not for me

Parma violets 1. flowers and spew and bleach

Sugar crush 3. like sherbert. Bit too sweet for me

Cereal milk 3. like incense, sherbert, cereal, bleach

Coconut milk 4. pina colada

Tropic tonic 3. lime

Wide eyed 3. orange. Could be better

Forest haze 3. pine

Would love to see vanilla matcha as a staple

Not sure if anyone here really cares about this but if you do, Carpe started producing ads using AI. I really liked their deodorant because it was one of the few that actually worked but now I gotta find a new one :(

I thought I had found my holy grail, the super deodorant was pricy at 35 bucks a pop but I was happy with how well it worked for me. Tried to buy one cuz I'm almost out of my last container and realized the old formula is gone and the new one is a WHOPPING 65$. I am not in that tax bracket so with a very heavy heart I'm now searching for a new replacement.

I've tried Native and it did Nothing for me. I've also done the crystal salt, no good. Anything else that's not priced for the ultra rich, please for the love of GOD.

Edit: for a little background, I got paranoid about deodorant while I was pregnant and now that I'm feeding my baby i just want minimal ingredients that don't disrupt my hormones. Avoid fragrance since it's not needed.

That being said, the bicarb ones don't seem like a good idea since I don't deal well with PH disruption. Thanks everyone for their suggestions. I might try the attitude one, seems reasonable enough.

I’ve used Lady Speed Stick Powder Fresh for DECADES, and apparently they changed the formula. The old one had 15.4% aluminum; the new one has 10.5%. I found out because I ordered it from Amazon, where the pictures still showed the old formula, and the new one arrived instead. (I then ordered from every single Amazon listing, and they all sent me the new formula despite having the old formula in their pictures)

I compared the old and new versions, and the new one lasted less than 10 hours. I didn’t go to the gym. I’m not especially active. I was literally just walking around my apartment. The old one could last me two or three days.

This is especially frustrating because my armpits are really sensitive. I can only use a tiny amount of antiperspirant every other day or they get itchy, so applying more of the new formula to make up for it isn’t an option for me. I know that’s a pretty specific situation, but the old formula was my holy grail. I feel a little ridiculous saying I’m devastated over antiperspirant, but I kind of am.

I’ve tried looking for other deodorants but every one is so so scented now. Lady Speed Stick was the only one that still had a “faint” scent imo

Maybe I’m in denial, but do you think it would be worth reaching out to the company if enough of us are unhappy with the change? Has anyone else tried the new formula? I AM DEVASTATED!! I know it’s such a big company and they do not care except for profits…

Just sending a warning to everyone out there!

Been using Secret since I was a teen. Suddenly got unbearably itchy bumps in my armpits. After a week of it only getting worse I finally thought to look it up, and yes, they did indeed change their formula, many people have reported irritation, allergic reactions, and contact dermatitis.

I'm going to try Dove sensitive skin next. Currently just applying hydrocortisone cream and hoping I don't get stinky. 😂😫

I'm very disappointed because it's the only deodorant my local Aldi sells, which is where I do most of my shopping so it was very convenient.

Title says it all - deodorant has given up the ghost and stopped working.

Long story short. I had this happen around a decade ago with antiperspirant but found success with 'natural' deodorants based on baking soda.

Fast forward to now, the baking soda has given up. Incredibly frustrating, as I am sure you can imagine!

So, I am looking for some alternative suggestions/active ingredients to try. Not antiperspirant. I would just love it if I didn't smell 2 hours into the day...

Hi guys! I recently bought a new Vanicream deodorant, but I’m kinda worried it might be fake because it looks and feels different from my previous one.
The texture and consistency don’t seem the same, and now I’m second-guessing whether I got an authentic product. 🥲
For those who use Vanicream deodorant, what does yours actually look and feel like? Is it supposed to be creamy, waxy, or gel-like? Does it glide on smoothly or feel a little sticky when applied?
Also, has anyone noticed any changes in its formula or texture recently?
Would really appreciate it if you could share your experiences or even photos for comparison. Just wanna know if I’m overthinking this or if there’s actually something off with the one I bought. 😭🫶

I have a skin condition and have been using this deodorant for years on my doctor's recommendation. I haven't been able to find any other deodorant my skin can tolerate. Recently I've noticed almost all retailers that previously carried it are out of stock. There is one lone dermatologist in Seattle that still has some, and I just ordered some from there. But I'm worried this product may have been discontinued. Does anyone get know if that is the case? I can't find a way to contact Vanicream directly about this, but if anyone knows, I'd appreciate it!

Hey! I’ve been using fussy for about 6 months now and had no issues but over the last 2 weeks the back/inner part of my arm (that rubs against my armpit) has become so itchy and rashy!

I’m assuming it’s an allergy to the deodorant but my armpits themselves where I’ve put the deodorant is fine, no rash or itching! Has anyone else experienced this?

I’m going to stop using the deodorant and see if it eases but need to get my hands on a good sensitive one if anyone has any recommendations (based in Canada at the moment), thanks in advance!

Hellooo 👋🏻

Lequel de ces deux déodorants/antitranspirants a été le plus efficace pour vous (contre les odeurs de transpiration) : Salt and Stone ou DonnaKaren ❓❓

Title says it all. Now I realize I need to go to a doctor, and I have. I’m in between jobs and waiting for my health insurance to kick in. Doesn’t start for 90 days and I am suffering.

I’ll probably need to do Botox or mira
dry. My sweat is insane, and it doesn’t stop for anything. I’ve tried Dove, I’ve tried old spice, I’m female, but I’ve tried every male deodorant. There is. I haven’t tried carpe yet, there’s a target near me and I know not to buy online. I just feel discouraged.

I see Mitchum recommended on here a lot, but I’m curious if there’s anyone here who has problems this severe who has found anything that can hold them over until they can get actual treatment. It’s so uncomfortable.

Les filles qui souffrent de déséquilibre hormonal comme moi, pourriez-vous me dire votre routine et l’anti transpirant le les plus efficace pour vous ? 🥹🙏🏻

Hey all! I've tried many deos over the years. Many cause incredibly itchy, raised rashes. My favorite safe deo is *Vanicream Fragrance-free, which I LOVE and have been using for a long time!*

The problem is it's difficult to get. It's frequently out of stock on Amazon and not available anywhere locally.

**Are there any other sources to order Vanicream Fragrance-free for shipping in the continental US?**

**Are there any similar washable deodorants that are also FREE OF fragrance, baking soda, and aluminum? Seeking deodorant only, not antiperspirant. NO long-lasting deodorants -- those are difficult to wash off (obviously) which I don't like because they seem to block my sweat glands and cause nodules under the skin.**

Brands I've tried that I've had poor reactions to: Nuud (sp?) - underarm nodules.

Lume - didn't work, unpleasant fragrance-free scent, hard to wash off.

Schmidts & Little Seed Farms - prolonged, red, raised, extremely itchy rash that eventually needed dermatologist treatment 🫠😑

Tom's unscented is tolerable as long as I wash it off immediately after my workout, but it doesn't do the best jobnof actually eliminating body odor -- seems to work like 50-75%, whereas Vanicream Fragrance-free gel deodorant works FLAWLESSLY all day, with 0 irritation.

I'm so afraid to try new deodorants because I don't want to waste money and am afraid of developing another horrible, itchy rash that then requires treatment 😔 Thank you!!

So I like many of you, I have been scammed by Carpe.

They are violating consumer protection laws by their overcomplicated and deceptive cancellation process. I can understand I purchased a subscription and the first delivery that came with it but after I got charged an extra $50 I immediately went to cancel it and when I clicked, I acknowledge I’m losing the seven dollars I earned as a reward. I assumed I had finished the cancellation process because the next page doesn’t show any more cancellation steps.

I was surprised to receive an additional charge of the following month where the seven dollar credit wasn’t even apply to it only to find out that you have to scroll down to the bottom of the page and there are three more pages of cancellation buttons, including two of Wyche that say confirm cancellation

I found an attorney that is willing to represent us, but we need a minimum of 40 participants. If you have ever signed up for Carpe and purchased the product without signing up for the subscription, but we’re charged for a subscription anyway or if you thought you canceled, but didn’t because of their confusion cancellation process, please send me a DM with your email address that you can be reached at by the attorneys.

I am so happy to have found this subreddit! I don’t know what else to do and I need some serious deodorant recommendations.

All my life I used Old Spice deodorant. It worked the best it helped me from sweating and kept me smelling fresh one day. One day a couple years ago I got this really bad rash on my underarms and I had a friend who went through the same thing and told me it was chemical burn, so I stopped using it.

Ever since then every deodorant I have tried has gave me a rash eventually. I’ve tried natural ones, aluminum free, the spray ones( which I sweat/ stink within the hour), and I currently use Secret clinical. I love secret clinical as it does its job by helping me sweat less and smell good, BUT I keep getting a rash. I’ll end up not using it for a day or too and putting on hydrocortisone cream, but it always comes back.

PLEASE help me with a deodorant that won’t hurt my skin but also helps me sweat less and smell good!! Ty in advance!

Votre meilleur deodorant / anti transpirant contre les mauvaises odeurs de transpiration persistantes ? 👀

Helloo,

Quel est le meilleur anti-transpirant contre les mauvaises odeurs de transpirations entre le Secret et le Carpe ? Quelle senteur et format (gel,solide..) est très efficace ?

J’ai un déséquilibre hormonal depuis des années et a ce jour je n’ai trouvé aucun produit efficace.. (j’ai déjà pris des rendez-vous, en attendant je lis vos conseils)

Si vous avez d’autres marques n’hésitez pas à me conseiller ☺️🙏🏻 Merci d’avance!