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There are betweentwo and four million sweat glandscovering the human bodyand they arent all in your armpits.
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So why do those two small patches of skin get all thedeodorantattention?
Secret and Native are also on board to meet Americans whole-body deodorant needs.
Most of these new products are being marketed as confidence boosters.
Do men not need their groins and thighs and stomach folds deodorized too?
Is this new category perhaps born out of unrealistic societal standards, not science?
And is it even safe to slather on deodorant more likebody lotion?
We went in search of answers.
Heres everything you’re gonna wanna know.
The science of sweat
Also known as perspiration,sweatis how your body keeps its cool.
Because the groin and armpits are where our apocrine sweat glands are concentrated.
This particular sweat formula reacts with the bacteria on our skin to produce body odor.
So, fun sweat fact for you: Sweat itself doesnt actually smell.
To prevent the body odor created by bacteria feasting on yummy sweat, you could reach for adeodorantor anantiperspirant.
Sometimes the word deodorant is used interchangeably for the two, but they dont function the same way.
Those aluminum salts form a plug inside sweat glands to slow or stop sweat from being released.
Deodorant, on the other hand, does nothing to stop sweat.
The name was a play on the saying, Mums the word, meaning done in secret.
a few years later.
The words protection, freshness, and control appear often, as do themes of confidence and freedom.
(Lume Cream Tube Deodorant + Sweat Control is a rare exception.
Just like your classic deodorant, these whole-body options tend to be fragranced to help mask any unwanted smells.
Most brands also offer an unscented option.
Other collections also include a full-body spray and wipes for touch-ups in between showers.
Absolutely not, said every independent expert we spoke with.
And if that’s the case, then you should make an appointment with a dermatologist.
Some of the doctors we spoke with have health-related concerns about putting deodorant on larger areas of the body.
Yes, she says.
Will that be a bad thing?
(Dr. Mariwalla confirms that prebiotics could potentially help protect the microbiome.)
Is this a feminine hygiene rebrand?
From your pits to your bits.
Down there and everywhere.
Pits, privates, and beyond.
They increase insecurities and shame that women have about their natural scents.
The vagina is a self-cleaning organ and does not need douching or deodorizing.
The non-brand-affiliated experts we spoke with all concurred in cautioning against the use of deodorant in the genital area.
(Lume, like most whole-body deodorant brands, includes the groin among the areas of suggested use.)
The vagina has been wrongly blamed for centuries.
These products should only be used externally, at most.
This would be considered internal use.
This goes for all deodorants, soaps, and lotions.
Dr. Ghofrany emphasizes that theres a difference between a fishy odor and a not-so-fresh, end-of-the-day smell.
These infections can also increase the odds of a urinary tract infection (UTI) or sexually transmitted diseases.
If you do experience irritation, the brand says to stop using the product and consult your doctor.
Additional reporting byChloe Laws
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