If you’ve scrolled through social media lately or taken a stroll down the personal care aisle, you’ve probably come across whole-body deodorants.
They might seem like a smart solution—especially during the hotter months or if you tend to sweat more than average. But, are they really worth adding to your routine? How do they affect your skin health – especially in sensitive areas?
We’re discussing the pros and cons of these new products.
What are whole-body deodorants?
Whole-body deodorants are similar to traditional underarm products and are available in cream, stick, and spray forms. Many are formulated with ingredients like glycerin to improve application and adherence to the skin.
Like underarm deodorants, whole-body options often include a combination of ingredients designed to combat body odor, such as:
- Fragrance to mask unpleasant smells
- Sweat-absorbing powders like cornstarch, arrowroot, tapioca, or silica for a smooth, dry feel
- Odor-fighting agents such as witch hazel, mandelic acid, baking soda, or tea tree oil, which help reduce the bacteria responsible for body odor
It’s important to note that whole-body deodorants won’t decrease the amount you sweat unless they contain Aluminum chloride, Aluminum chlorohydrate or Aluminum zirconium. We’ll talk about this more later on.
Benefits of Whole-Body Deodorants
Many individuals find Whole-Body deodorants useful for decreasing smells that can come with excessive sweating. However, this will only help if you apply the deodorant to those areas. These include: armpits, feet, and groin.
Potential Risks and Why We Discourage Using Whole-Body Deodorants
Sweat glands are found all over your body, but only certain ones produce sweat that leads to odor. In those areas, sweat combines with the natural bacteria on your skin to create body odor. To effectively reduce odor, apply whole-body deodorant only to those specific spots. Using it in areas where odor isn’t an issue won’t help minimize the smell.
We do not recommend using these products on your groin or in other sensitive areas. Doing so may cause irritation, or worse yeast infections. We also do not recommend using these if you have sensitive skin. If you experience itching or irritation with traditional deodorants, you will likely experience the same with these whole-body deodorants and we do not want that to happen over larger areas of your body!
Additionally, these products do not treat excessive sweating as they are not “anti-perspirants.” Many often confuse deodorants and anti-perspirants as some products do work as both, but not all deodorants are anti-perspirants. An anti-perspirant will help decrease sweating by using aluminum in the product.
Treating Excessive Sweating
Hyperhidrosis is the medical term for excessive sweating and can even cause you to sweat even when your body doesn’t need to. People with hyperhidrosis often sweat in their underarms, palms, soles, or head, and sometimes all over their body.
We do not recommend using whole-body deodorants for excessive sweating. If you do experience sweating in an excessive capacity, we can help you with specialized treatment options that can help mitigate excess sweat or even reduce the amount of sweat your body produces. Need professional help? Give us a call!
The information presented in this blog is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. If you have questions or concerns, please call our office or make an appointment with a medical professional. Savannah River Dermatology is located at 575 Furys Ferry Rd in Augusta, Ga. Our office can be reached at 706-691-7079.
