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Underarms, while underrated, are usually at the center of the conversation around sweat and deodorant<\/a>. That is, until the personal care industry introduced whole-body deodorants.<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve ever caught a whiff of yourself after a hot walk or stressful event, the recent boom in \u201call-over\u201d products from brands like Native, Secret, and Dove might make sense. We can get clammy\u2014and sometimes smelly\u2014just about everywhere, from our inner thighs to our lower backs, underboobs, and groins. So the promise of a quick, head-to-toe refresh seems kind of genius\u2014especially in the summer. But is it actually worth buying a deodorant for non-underarm areas, or would a swipe of your regular cucumber-scented stick do the trick anywhere on your body? Are there places you shouldn\u2019t swipe on these whole-body formulas? And most importantly, do you actually need to worry if you smell a little\u2026human sometimes?<\/p>\n According to the medical experts we spoke with, a whole-body deodorant can<\/em> be helpful for BO beyond the pits. That said, there are also a few misleading promises. Here\u2019s what to know:<\/p>\n Meet the experts<\/p>\n Broadly speaking, whole-body deodorants aren\u2019t all that different from the stuff you slather or spritz under your arms, Dr. Adigun tells SELF. Both are intended to neutralize or mask BO\u2014which, despite what you may think, doesn\u2019t come from the sweat itself, but from its interaction with the bacteria on your skin.<\/p>\n To perfume over the resulting musk, then, deodorant formulas tend to rely on added fragrances or, in some cases, antibacterial ingredients to target the odor-causing bacteria directly, Dr. Adigun explains. Some even include absorbent, starch-based ingredients to soak up any excess moisture. That said, deodorants don\u2019t actually stop you from sweating. (For that, you\u2019d need an antiperspirant<\/a>, which temporarily plugs your sweat glands to keep you dry.)<\/p>\n While pit and whole-body deodorants might work similarly, though, there\u2019s still a reason they\u2019re considered separate products\u2014namely, their targeted formulas. \u201cTraditional deodorants for the underarms aren\u2019t designed to be used on your entire body,\u201d Dr. Adigun explains, because skin on your groin, inner thighs, and between your butt cheeks<\/a>, for instance, is more sensitive than your pits. So using a standard stick outside your underarms (especially one with potential irritants like baking soda, aluminum, or strong fragrances) could cause rash-like symptoms or even an itchy, inflamed reaction known as contact dermatitis, Dr. Massick tells SELF. On the other hand, whole-body formulas are made with those concerns in mind, skipping harsher deodorizers in favor of gentler antibacterials like mandelic acid, lactic acid<\/a>, and zinc.<\/p>\n When it\u2019s boiling outside<\/a>, an \u201call-over\u201d solution might sound like a summer game changer\u2014and it can be if you\u2019re self-conscious about body odor beyond the pits, Dr. Massick says. But before you start slathering on whole-body deodorant like lotion, it\u2019s worth knowing that these products work better in some places than others. The reason? Not all sweat is created equal.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n There are two types of glands that produce this sweat: apocrine and eccrine\u2014and only the former is responsible for that body odor. \u201cApocrine glands are found primarily in the underarms, around the genitals, and around the nipples,\u201d Dr. Jaber tells SELF\u2014essentially, areas with hair follicles. Sweat here contains proteins, fat, and other substances that, when broken down by bacteria, generate an odor, hence why Dr. Jaber says \u201cwhole-body deodorants are best suited for those who sweat a lot in the groin or these particular areas.\u201d<\/p>\n Eccrine glands, on the other hand, exist all over your body. They mostly secrete water and salt to cool you down, which explains why your back, arm, face, and chest may get sticky in the heat, sure, but they don\u2019t actually stink (or require a tropical-scented fix).<\/p>\n While these bathroom staples can help you cover BO in certain crevices, some experts worry that the \u201cwhole-body\u201d label might encourage folks to use them in places where they really shouldn\u2019t\u2014namely, in or around the genitals. Sure, all-over deodorants are marketed for external use, but some brands still reference \u201cintimate areas\u201d and portray actors shoving the stuff straight down their pants. So it\u2019s easy to see how people might get confused.<\/p>\n The thing is, your privates and these types of products typically don\u2019t pair well together, the gynecologists we spoke with agree. \u201cNothing should be placed internally that isn\u2019t meant or prescribed to be there, because this is a sensitive mucosal surface,\u201d Dr. Lincoln tells SELF. That especially includes essential oils and \u201cnatural\u201d fragrances in deodorants, which can be super irritating and throw off your pH balance, leading to infections or even more odor. For the same reasons, even using whole-body deodorants near<\/em> the genitals (say, on your inner thigh) can be risky. And sprays in particular might drift into sensitive parts of your vulva, like your labia minora, clitoris, and vaginal opening.<\/p>\n That\u2019s not to say BO control is entirely off-limits below the belt, though\u2014just be careful to stick to areas with hair follicles and choose the right product. \u201cCreams and solid stick formulas are generally safer for the external genitalia, since they offer more controlled application,\u201d Dr. Gaither tells SELF. It\u2019s extra important to stick to fragrance-free formulas in these regions, too, both gynecologists say. \u201cBecause if the product does<\/em> get near the vulva or into the vagina, the chance for bacterial disruption and chemical irritation is less than with a fragrance-containing one,\u201d Dr. Lincoln explains.<\/p>\n As for vaginal \u201codor control\u201d? It\u2019s not only potentially unsafe\u2014it\u2019s unnecessary. Vaginas are self-cleaning, thank you very much. And as any medical professional will happily inform you, \u201cIt\u2019s completely normal for your vagina to have a natural odor,\u201d Dr. Gaither says. \u201cA healthy one often has a mildly earthy, musky, or tangy scent due to the presence of beneficial bacteria that help maintain a healthy vaginal microbiome.\u201d In other words, it\u2019s unrealistic for your genitals to smell like an edible arrangement or a fresh bouquet, despite how often marketing suggests otherwise.<\/p>\n Now, if you\u2019re concerned about the odor because it smells fishier or stronger than normal, or you\u2019re experiencing symptoms like itching, burning<\/a>, pain, or changes in discharge, the experts we spoke with agree that these are signs to check in with a doctor\u2026not mask it with a fruity perfume. That way, they can rule out factors like a bacterial infection, yeast infection, or sexually transmitted infection.<\/p>\n All that said, as long as you stick to expert-approved areas and targeted formulas, whether or not you want to try a whole-body deodorant comes down to personal preference. Unless a doctor advises otherwise, however, there\u2019s generally no need to overhaul your entire routine even for everyday BO. No matter what, we\u2019re going to sweat\u2014and sometimes, we\u2019ll smell. That\u2019s part of being human, and no trend should shame you into believing otherwise.<\/p>\n Related:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
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