Full-body deodorants are undoubtedly having a moment. Commercials and ads have flooded airways and social media with a lineup of fragrant creams, sticks, sprays and roll-ons to apply on virtually any part of the body. It’s not clear if these products are suddenly popular because of public demand, but targeted marketing that’s convincing people they smell is a driving factor. Lume whole-body deodorant, which came out in 2017, is said to have kickstarted the trend. Since then, nearly every major manufacturer of deodorants has followed suit, including Secret, Dove, Native, and Ban. The earlier products were geared toward women, but in more recent years brands such as Mando, Old Spice and Dove’s Men+Care line have expanded the market share. So, do these whole-body deodorants really work? Deodorants work by using an antimicrobial compound, such as triclosan, to kill some of the odor-causing bacteria. Any remaining odor is masked with fragrance molecules. Whole-body antiperspirants, on the other hand, contain aluminum compounds designed to block sweat glands. This keeps perspiration from reaching the skin’s surface to combine with bacteria and cause odor. What about safety? Whole-body deodorants use ingredients that are generally considered safe, but people with sensitive skin should be cautious when it comes to fragrances. Aromatic compounds in scents could trigger an allergic reaction called contact dermatitis, which causes an itchy rash. It’s a good idea to test these whole-body products on a patch of skin for two weeks daily before applying them all over the body. Now for the final conclusion from dermatologists: Most people are able to keep sweat and odor in check with regular showering and underarm deodorant.
