Most people apply deodorant every day to combat armpit stink—but a fleet of new products promise to get rid of odor and sweat all over your body.
These whole-body deodorants are marketed as deodorizers for your inner thighs, private parts, feet, under the breasts, and any other spot that might get sweaty and stinky.
Plenty of brands are getting in on the whole-body deodorant craze, including newer ones such as Lumē, Native, and Luna, alongside familiar staples such as Dove, Old Spice, and Secret. Reviews and product test videos of these whole-body deodorants have become wildly popular on social media too, raking in tens of millions of views.
Dermatologists have also taken notice. “I’ve seen a growing interest in whole-body deodorants, especially among skincare-conscious patients who want odor protection beyond their underarms,” Hannah Kopelman, DO, a New York City–based dermatologist and hair loss specialist, told Health.
The internet seems convinced, but is it really a good idea to coat every nook and cranny of your body with deodorant? And do these products even work? Here’s what dermatologists had to say.
Like traditional deodorants and antiperspirants, whole-body deodorants come in many different formulations, including sticks, sprays, wipes, and creams. They’re often “designed for a more convenient application to larger body surface areas,” Maya Thosani, MD, dermatologist and founder of Modern Dermatology in Arizona, told Health.
And whole-body deodorants essentially work the same way regular ones do.
Body odor usually stems from a combination of sweat and bacteria. Deodorants contain antimicrobial ingredients to curb bacteria growth, plus moisture-absorbing ingredients to keep skin dry, Kopelman explained. Fragrances are a common addition too, Thosani said.
The difference is that whole-body deodorants usually contain ingredients that are gentler on the skin, or they limit concentrations of alcohol, aluminum salts, or strong fragrances relative to what’s usually included in traditional deodorants and antiperspirants, Mary Alice Mina, MD, dermatologic surgeon at Baucom and Mina Derm Surgery in Atlanta, Georgia, told Health. This is because whole-body deodorants are often applied to more sensitive areas of the body.
According to Mina and the other dermatologists, whole-body deodorants can include:
- Baking soda, cyclodextrins, zeolites, or alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) to neutralize odor
- Triclosan, silver compounds, or polyquaternium-16 to kill bacteria
- Cornstarch, tapioca starch, arrowroot powder, zinc oxide, or kaolin clay to absorb moisture
- Moisturizers to soften skin and make application smoother
- Essential oils to add fragrance, and for possible antibacterial or antifungal properties
Though the formulations are often slightly different than traditional deodorants, these products are usually able to eliminate odor, experts agreed.
“Evidence does support the concept that whole-body deodorant can address odor control and the balancing of the skin’s microbiome,” said Anna Chacon, MD, dermatologist and founder of MiamiDerm.
But that doesn’t mean you should skip your shower and grab one of these products instead.
“Whole-body deodorants do not replace a solid hygiene routine,” Chacon told Health. “Like dry shampoo for the body, they are intended to be used in a pinch or before an event that you think could incite more sweat or odor than usual.”
These products can eliminate odor, but that doesn’t mean they have to be added to your hygiene routine—or that they should be applied to every part of the body. Dermatologists have some concerns.
For one, these products may be irritating for people with sensitive skin.
Science has shown that “common allergens” in products can “cause rashes due to either irritation or allergic reaction,” Thosani explained. Essential oils, fragrances, alcohol, baking soda, preservatives, and other ingredients found in whole-body deodorants are “common offenders,” she said.
So experts recommend testing a small amount of the product before applying it all over your body.
“I always advise patch-testing first and avoiding application on broken or freshly shaved skin,” Kopelman said. “People with eczema, psoriasis, or a history of allergic contact dermatitis should be especially cautious.”
Plus, the name “whole-body deodorant” could mislead some people into thinking that these products are safe to use on every single inch of the body—but that’s not the case.
Whole-body deodorants should not be used internally, or on the most delicate and friction-prone parts of the body: the groin, inner thighs, and skin folds, experts said.
“Often these products are promoted for ‘private areas,’” Thosani said. “This is not necessary and will potentially cause more harm by not only introducing chemicals to a delicate skin site, but also creating psychological distress by implying that normal body chemistry is one to be ashamed of.”
If you’re interested in trying whole-body deodorant, the product should help block odors—just make sure you’re applying it safely.
However, whole-body deodorant certainly isn’t necessary. Hygiene and lifestyle changes “can go a long way before adding topical products into the mix,” Kopelman said. “Sometimes less is more.”
To reduce body odor, you can:
- Avoid tight clothing, and opt for breathable, moisture-wicking fabrics to reduce sweat build-up, Mina and Kopelman agreed.
- Maintain a balanced diet with lots of fruits and vegetables, and fewer ultra-processed foods. Spicier or fragrant foods will be partially “‘sweat out’ through pores, so avoid anything pungent if odors are an issue,” Thosani explained.
- Use antibacterial body washes or soap (such as those with benzoyl peroxide) to decrease bacterial load on the skin, Kopelman and Thosani said, particularly around the groin, underarms, or other areas that tend to smell.
- Keep high-friction areas dry, Kopelman added, by applying talc-free powders or anti-chafe barrier creams.
- Try Hibiclens (chlorhexidine gluconate), which is a surgical scrub, for a more rigorous clean. But be careful: “It cannot be used above the neck, as it’s toxic if it gets in the eyes or ears,” said Thosani.
- Use over-the-counter hypochlorous acid spray before and after workouts to get rid of bacteria without irritating or drying the skin, she said.
If excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) or body odor is still an issue, schedule a visit to a dermatologist to discuss other treatment options.
