Do You Really Need All-Body Deodorant?

You might have noticed some new items at the drugstore lately: all-body deodorant sprays, balms and creams touting their ability to reduce odours everywhere. But are they really necessary? Here’s what you need to know.

 What’s actually in deodorant? 

“Deodorant is a product that helps mask odours that result from the breakdown of sweat by bacteria,” explains Dr. Monica Li, a Vancouver-based dermatologist. It does this using fragrance, as well as with ingredients like mandelic and lactic acid that help inhibit the growth of odour-causing bacteria. Finally, deodorants can contain glycerin and niacinamide to help moisturize the skin.

But deodorants don’t stop you from sweating. That’s where antiperspirant comes in. The key ingredient in antiperspirants is aluminum salts, which plug the sweat glands and stop sweat, says Toronto dermatologist Dr. Renée A. Beach. 

You might also find cornstarch in some deodorants and antiperspirants, which acts as a drying agent to decrease moisture in areas where the skin folds, like underarms and under the breasts.

 What’s in all-body deodorant? 

These new all-body deodorants and antiperspirant products contain many of the same ingredients as regular deodorants, such as fragrance and aluminum salts. The difference, says Li, is that they’ve been tested for use all over the body instead of just the underarms. Companies like Lume—which sells creams, powders, wipes and solid balms as whole-body deodorants (some with aluminum salts for sweat control)—say that they can be used on “pits, underboobs, belly buttons, tummy folds, butt cracks, thigh creases, vulvas, balls and feet.” 

Are these products safe? 

While Li says that deodorants are generally safe to use, whole-body deodorants may increase the chance of irritation. “If a small amount is used, such as on the armpits only, we may not see an issue,” she says. “But if they go head-to-toe, that’s a lot more volume of deodorant. That’s when we may amplify the risk of contact sensitivity.” Beach adds that areas of the body where the skin is easily broken or susceptible to eczema—like the groin, elbow creases or skin folds—are often prone to contact sensitivity, as they effectively trap the product. These areas also have a thinner skin texture, which also makes them more sensitive. 

Beach says that external factors, like the type of activity you’re doing or the clothes you’re wearing, can also increase the chances of irritation from using all-body deodorant. “Did you shave or wax recently? What type of underpants were in contact with the site? Was it cotton or a fabric that’s going to trap the ingredients more?”

 So, do I really need this stuff in my life? 

“I think that the concept of intimate skin deodorant and body perfume is unnecessary for the vast majority of us,” says Beach. “Unfortunately, some advertising has preyed on our insecurities and fears of having odour when body scents are completely natural.”

If you’re looking to reduce sweating and body odour, Beach suggests showering right after exercising or promptly changing out of sweaty clothes. Reducing body hair can also curb odour, since hair traps sweat and bacteria. Ensuring that your body is totally dry after showering, especially in areas with skin folds, will lessen the moisture buildup that helps contribute to yeast growth.

If you still want to use deodorant beyond your armpits, Li says that it’s probably safe to use regular deodorant on your palms and the soles of your feet because these areas are thicker-skinned. But if you want sweat and odour control on other parts of your body, use a product that’s labelled for whole-body use. Li doesn’t have a preference for creams, balms, sprays or wipes, but says to use them only where needed to reduce the potential risk of irritation.