Unfortunately, I have a sensitivity to certain types of artificial fragrances. Which means I'm extremely limited in the types of shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, air freshener, clothing detergents, etc that I can use without having some sort of reaction. I don't do anti-perspirants, because they contain aluminum (and I consider them unnatural). Plus if I'm doing work on our land, my clothes are going to be soaked with sweat regardless, so it doesn't matter if I wear something for blocking just underarm sweat. But my Wife does like it if I wear something nice if I'm dressed decent if we go into town. The problem is that I do get reactions from most deodorants that I've tried in the past. So the good news with this particular brand is: 1. I like the way it smells. 2. My Wife likes the way it smells. 3. It doesn't cause any sort of rash or skin irritation. 4. The smell doesn't trigger any of my scent sensitivities. So why just four stars, instead of five? Because it is, after all, a great product. I have one answer: fragrance. Even though the ingredients for this INCLUDE essential oils, one of the listed ingredients is "fragrance." If you're not familiar with the term, as its used in bath and body products, I'll give you a quick breakdown. "Fragrance" is sort of an umbrella term that hygiene and beauty product companies use for multiple chemicals that supposedly add to the scent of their product. It's also something of a loophole. Here's why..... A company that makes lotion (or body wash, deodorant, makeup, etc) can lump as many different chemicals as they want into a single ingredient that they say adds to the scent of something, and just list it as a single ingredient. And they don't have to tell the consumer what those chemicals are. It might be just three things, like three natural oils. Or it could be literally 80 different chemicals. Some of which could cause potentially adverse health reactions in people (short term, or long term). There's a whole documentary ("Stink") dedicated to it. There are websites dedicated to what these hidden chemicals may include, and studies done on how they could be potentially bad for humans or animals. Bottom line is that you, as the customer, will simply never know what exact things a brand is lumping into the "fragrance" ingredient. Does Dove Men put any weird or questionable chemicals in their "fragrance" ingredient? I have no idea. But any hygiene or bath & body type product that DOES include it as an ingredient, I automatically deduct a star from their rating. Because it means I'll never know what exactly I'm putting on my skin (and what's being absorbed into my skin). Which is why I usually stick to products that say "all natural" and mean it, and don't list "fragrance" as an ingredient. So I do like this product so far. I can actually use it, with no skin problems or allergy issues. Good "natural" smelling scent, Wife digs it. No complaints there. I think I'll keep using it, for the time being. But I'd feel a lot better about ordering it again if I at least know what the mystery ingredients were.
