What are whole-body deodorants, and do you need them?

You may have noticed new deodorants at the supermarket or in social media feeds recently, with taglines such as "pits, privates and beyond". These "whole-body" deodorants are raising eyebrows among some biologists, dermatologists and marketing researchers. Data from the Australian Ad Observatory has recently highlighted the prevalence of the products, says Giselle Newton, a research fellow at the University of Queensland's Centre for Automated Decision Making and Society. "This study asks Australians to identify all of the ads that they see in their feed in a 10-day period," Dr Newton says. "And as part of that work, we did capture a number of these all-body deodorants." She says the products are being advertised by both small and major cosmetic brands. "[They're] being promoted in kind of traditional forms of digital advertising, but also in other forms of promotional content, like influencer content." But do we even need whole-body deodorants and where on your body is it OK to use them? Can our whole body sweat and stink? Associate Professor Deshan Sebaratnam, a dermatologist from The Skin Hospital in Sydney/Gadigal lands, says body odour is caused by bacteria that live on the skin and feed on sweat. But, he adds, "you have different sweat glands in your body". "Apocrine sweat glands are found in the armpits and groin and these produce sweat that contains compounds which are broken down by bacteria and can contribute to body odour (bromhidrosis)." The rest of your body is typically covered in eccrine sweat glands, he says. "These mostly release water and electrolytes and so don't smell bad." However, Dr Sebaratnam says moisture from these glands can contribute to bacterial overgrowth in areas such as under the breasts or feet, and "this may smell unpleasant". Our experts say if you are showering daily, these body odours will be under control in most cases. Dr Naomi Koh Belic, a biology expert based in Sydney, on Gadigal lands, says eccrine sweat glands also serve an important function of cooling our body. "We are meant to sweat, it's very important and helps regulate your temperature." They're deodorants, not antiperspirants A lot of the "whole-body" products are deodorants, not antiperspirants, and our experts say it is important to understand the difference. Deodorants typically use antibacterial ingredients and perfumes to disguise odour. "So, deodorant just kind of covers the smell," Dr Koh Belic says. "Maybe there's a little bit of alcohol that might kill off some of the bacteria, but it's not really doing much to stop you from sweating." Dr Sebaratnam says whole-body deodorants can contain ingredients that help to absorb moisture, "like silica, arrowroot powder, tapioca or cornstarch". "The products don't stop you sweating per se, but the liquid is quickly absorbed and so don't have that wet sensation," he says. Dr Koh Belic says that if you do experience body odour due to sweat, "you might prefer using antiperspirants". She says antiperspirants work by blocking the output of sweat glands, "so that the sweat doesn't come out" and bacteria can't feed off it. 'Creating a problem where there isn't one' While he says anything you apply to your skin could provoke an allergic reaction, Dr Sebaratnam believes all body deodorant products are mostly "innocuous". Chris Callewaert, a microbiologist and sweat researcher based in Europe, says the "new trend" does have the potential to interfere with the skin microbiome. The skin microbiome is the complex ecosystem of microorganisms including bacteria and fungi that protect against pathogens and maintain overall skin barrier health. "The more antibacterial ingredients present in a skin cosmetic, the bigger the impact on the skin microbiome," says Dr Callewaert, who also goes by the name "Dr Armpit". He says using the products "can lead to unwanted side effects, among which are odours, infections, rashes and sensitive skin". Dr Koh Belic agrees and says the products may create a problem "that doesn't need to exist". Using them in sensitive areas, like around your genitals, is not recommended. Marketing 'shame and embarrassment' about bodies Dr Newton believes cosmetic companies are "creating problems related to the body and health" and then selling solutions, "in this case deodorants". "We know that sweat is a normal part of life, and body odour tends to occur alongside sweat," she says. "But certainly, from an advertising and a social perspective, companies promote ideas to increase the shame and the uncertainty related to our bodies and our health." She says encouraging the use of these deodorants with terms like "pits, privates and beyond" also creates a "vagueness and ambiguity" for consumers. "It is misleading or encouraging [consumers] to engage in risky behaviours [such as using them on or near genitals] that could harm their bodies and their health." Our experts say if you're worried about body odour or sweat, you should seek advice from a healthcare professional. Dr Callewaert says the underlying cause of excess sweat and odour can be multifaceted and may include stress, diet, and hormones. Dr Sebaratnam says it might also be a sign of a medical condition. "Don't navigate it alone," he says. "There are effective medical treatments for excessive sweating that impacts your quality of life." This is general information only. For personal advice, you should see a qualified medical practitioner.