I Finally Tried Whole-Body Deodorant to See If It Works—Here's How It Went on a 90-Degree Day

If you've felt like you've seen whole body deodorants everywhere lately, it's because you have. As a very sweaty girl, I've tried my fair share of antiperspirants and deodorants, from serum gels promising smoother underarms to white stick formulas constantly leaving stains on all of my dark clothing. Worse, none of them were specifically formulated to target any other part of my body that needed help, like my underboob area for instance. So, when I found Lume's Whole Body Deodorant, I knew I had nothing to lose and much to gain.

The concept of whole body deodorant isn't exactly new. "Many people were already applying deodorants to other areas of the body beyond the armpits," says Dr. Geeta Yadav, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Facet Dermatology. I can't certainly say this isn't my first rodeo in attempting to mask body odor in unconventional ways.

"The purpose of body deodorants is to reduce the bacterial colonization on the skin and thereby reducing the by-products that result in odor,"  further explains board-certified dermatologist Dr. Nicole Lee. "It is similar to normal deodorant in that it is applied directly to areas where you want to reduce odor." However, Dr. Lee says you shouldn't expect it to "reduce sweat production" since it's not the same as an antiperspirant, which typically uses aluminum.

Lume Whole Body Deodorant

Of course, summer is the worst time of year for my propensity to sweat just by simply stepping a foot out the door, so there was no better time to test this full body cream. I apply the cream with my fingers directly on my armpits and underboob area (but you could also apply it to the skin around your privates, belly, thighs, and feet) and let it dry for a few minutes before getting dressed. I haven't noticed the formula leaving any stains, but I don't want to risk wiping away the product before it has time to settle. According to the brand, It's also packed with aloe leaf juice, cocoa seed butter, and AHAs like mandelic acid.

As expected, I was still pretty moist the entire day in my problem areas. Yet, I noted a lot less chafing from my bra, and, more importantly, I didn't reek of body odor and instead smelled a slight hint of lavender. I've used this almost every day for a couple of months now, and every single time I've had to leave the house this summer, from outdoor festivals to lawn work, and I refuse to go without it.

Whole body deodorant is essentially for anyone dealing with body odor. I tend to have sensitive skin but didn't notice any irritation during application due to the pH-optimized acids. However, Dr. Justine Park, a dermatologist at Skin & Beauty Center, warns, "Those with sensitive skin issues, allergic skin rashes, and eczema should be cautious in using these products as many of them contain irritating and allergenic ingredients that may cause a skin reaction."

If you're looking for a long-lasting, scented cream that's easy to apply, give Lume's Whole Body Deodorant a try. Below are five other products that Amazon shoppers keep adding to their carts.

Secret Whole Body Deodorant Spray

Dove Whole Body Cream Deodorant

Native Whole Body Deodorant Stick

Lady Parts Whole Body Deodorant Lotion

Native Whole Body Deodorant Spray