Yes, Deodorants for the Entire Body Exist—and These 8 Are the Best Ones
Smelling good and staying fresh has never been easier.
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Summer is in full swing, which means we’re constantly battling sweat and offensive odors—often in places beyond our underarms. Sure, the best deodorants for women and one of our favorite perfumes can go a long way in keeping your scent pleasant, but heat waves can make you wish you had more backup. Thankfully, a wave of whole body deodorants has taken over the personal care space, revealing themselves to be the “unsexy” (but necessary) beauty essential of the summer.
In case you missed the dawn of the whole body deodorant, these products are made to prevent, neutralize, and mask body odor all over your body and are usually aluminum-free. “They are formulated with more gentle ingredients for broader use on the chest, back, feet, and private areas. Deodorants may contain antimicrobial agents to inhibit bacterial growth, fragrances to mask odors, and ingredients to absorb moisture. Some also include antiperspirant properties to reduce sweat production,” explains Dr. Teresa Song, a board-certified dermatologist at Marmur Medical in NYC. Diane Keenan, the associate director of research and development at Unilever, emphasizes that they’re pretty much useful wherever you are and whatever you’re doing, “including exercise, walking, and day-to-day activities,” she says.
Top picks for the best whole body deodorants in 2024
If you’re constantly worried about odor, investing in and using a whole body deodorant might bring you some peace of mind. We picked the brains of the above experts, tried some ourselves, and read through customer feedback to find the eight best whole body deodorants that actually work.
Pros
- Plastic-free packaging
Cons
- Cap can be hard to put back on
Akt’s deodorants, created by founders Ed Currie and Andy Coxon, who needed relief from the sweltering heat from long performance days, come in a variety of sophisticated scents like The Onsen, a combination of lavandin, yuzu, and vetiver. The brand recently added an unscented version to the lineup, which features chic and 100 percent recyclable packaging that’s hard to resist.
Aluminum-free: Yes
Size: 1.7 oz.
An ELLE editor says: “No matter the heat, this natural deodorant keeps me fresh and dry all day long. I enjoy the scented versions, but they recently released an unscented version, which is great if you are fragrance averse. The tube lasts a long time, too! At least two to three months, and that’s using it every day, twice a day.” —Danielle James, digital beauty director
Pros
- Easy to apply
Cons
- Formulas can be a bit runny
This deodorant comes highly recommended by Dr. Song. “It is an aluminum-free deodorant containing gentle exfoliants like lactic acid, along with skin-hydrating ingredients like glycerin, vitamin B3 and E.” You can grab this version, which smells like vanilla and coconut, or opt for the unscented one if you prefer. “Dove Whole Body Deo creams were specifically designed with female intimate area use in mind and have been gynecologist tested as suitable for external use,” adds Keenan.
Aluminum-free: Yes
Size: 2.5 oz.
An Amazon reviewer says: “It smells quite nice. The price is reasonable, because a little goes a long way. It works well on areas that can really use the protection. I love it. Some customers have complained about the packaging, but I quickly learned to squeeze the tube lightly enough so that not too much comes out at one time. The consistency lends itself to spreading easily. I’ll definitely be purchasing it again.”
Pros
- A little goes a long way
Cons
- Smells when first applied
According to Dr. Song, Lume’s whole body deodorants “include gentle exfoliants like mandelic acid, sweat-absorbing tapioca starch, as well as skin-soothing aloe,” she says. Not only does the product promise to ward off body odor for up to three days, but it also helps fade hyperpigmentation over time.
Aluminum-free: Yes
Size: 3 oz.
An Amazon reviewer says: “Product works exactly as described. Apply after shower/towel dry. There is a little funky scent when first applied, but the smell disappears once dry, which is only one to two minutes. I do wash my hands after applying. There is zero body odor for 24 to 48 hours, even when sweating.”
Pros
- Pleasant scent
Cons
- Stick can be slightly difficult to apply
Although it lacks aluminum, which blocks your sweat ducts, this deodorant contains arrowroot to absorb moisture, keeping you dry and odor-free all day long. The only scent that’ll emanate from your body is the tropical aroma of coconut and hibiscus, a classic SheaMoisture combo.
Aluminum-free: Yes
Size: 2.6 oz. x3
An Amazon reviewer says: “I wanted to try this product out, so I was excited to receive it today, and this product did not disappoint. The scent is a soft fresh coconut. It feels very moisturizing under my arms and in other female areas, and it glides on well. It came three to a pack, but I accidentally ordered two packs, so I received six, but they will not go to waste, because I really liked the product and would recommend it to others.”
Pros
- pH-balancing
Cons
- May not be suitable for very sensitive skin
The dispenser on this option makes it almost too easy to apply—a spritz here under your boobs, a spritz there on your feet. The formula contains minerals that help balance pH, so you won’t have to worry about it wreaking havoc on your skin barrier.
Aluminum-free: Yes
Size: 3.5 oz.
An Amazon reviewer says: “This deodorant really works and is so convenient in a spray form. In the past, I’ve used another brand that was a cream, and it was a little bit messy. This, you just spray and go. It has a nice light peachy scent, which is not overpowering. Love it.”
Pros
- Helps with chafing
Cons
- Does not prevent sweat
Hume’s whole-body deodorant is free of potentially harmful ingredients, like baking soda and aluminum, to prevent irritation or concerning side effects. However, its formula manages to prevent and fight body odor while also nourishing and soothing the skin with prickly pear, aloe, and cactus flower.
Aluminum-free: Yes
Size: 2 oz.
An Amazon reviewer says:“I’ve been on a biological medication with my doctor for my psoriasis for over 10 years, which changes the taste of my saliva and the scent of my sweat. This is one of the only brands I have found that actually works. It cuts not only the sweat, but the scent. I simply purchased the scent-free version of the deodorant, and it works amazing. I used about the same size of a dime under each armpit. It goes on smoothly. And it dries instantly. I was very happy with the results of this deodorant, and I will definitely buy it again.”
Pros
- Suitable for sensitive skin
Cons
- Some may dislike scent
Native created one of the most popular aluminum-free deodorants on the market. The full-body version comes in a spray form that easily mists all over your armpits, between your toes, and between your thighs. Choose one of the line’s refreshing scent combos: aloe and green tea, lilac and white tea, or coconut and vanilla.
Aluminum-free: Yes
Size: 3.5 oz.
An Amazon reviewer says: “Firstly, the scent is divine. It’s not overpowering, but it keeps me feeling fresh and confident all day long. Plus, it doesn’t clash with any other fragrances I might be wearing. And can we talk about the formula? It’s gentle on my skin, which is a huge plus for someone like me with sensitive underarms. No irritation, no itching—just all-day comfort. I also love that it doesn’t leave any white marks on my clothes. I can swipe it on in the morning and go about my day without worrying about embarrassing deodorant streaks.”
Pros
- Plastic-free packaging
Cons
- May need to reapply
Turns out, there’s a simple alternative to lugging around an entire deodorant stick for emergencies: deodorant wipes. Use these to wipe away sweat and odor whenever you (or a friend) need a quick refresh.
Aluminum-free: Yes
Size: 50 wipes
An Amazon reviewer says: “Since menopause, I’ve been needing some extra help in the deodorant department. My standard 72-hour choice is only lasting half a day, and it’s so frustrating, so I decided to try these wipes as, at least, a temporary fix. But from day one, they have lasted the whole rest of the day! Definitely an unexpected and really wonderful surprise! Love that I can throw the individually wrapped wipes in my purse or tote bag and always have them at the ready, and the scent is quite light but very fresh. I am extremely pleased.”
Meet the Experts
Dr. Teresa Song is a board-certified dermatologist at Marmur Medical in NYC.
Diane Keenan is the associate director of research and development at Unilever.
What is the difference between whole body deodorants and regular deodorants?
They’re similar, but aren’t completely the same. “Full-body deodorants may have different formulations to accommodate different areas of the body. Regular deodorants can contain ingredients that may be too harsh on the rest of the body, while whole body deodorants may contain stronger fragrances or ingredients to absorb moisture,” Dr. Song says. She also explained that some whole body deodorants may have more ingredients geared toward fighting bacterial growth in the different highly sweat-prone areas of the body.
Are whole body deodorants safe?
As with any category of beauty products, it depends on the formula. “Certain antiperspirants may contain aluminum chloride, which can cause irritation on sensitive skin on the body, such as groin folds. While other deodorants may only contain humidity absorbing powders, which is less likely to cause irritation and can be applied elsewhere,” says Dr. Song. According to her, you should only use hypoallergenic and fragrance-free products in your genital area.
Additionally, you definitely shouldn’t apply the products on any open wounds or irritated and inflamed skin. “One should also avoid deodorants on mucous membranes, such as inside the nose, mouth, and peri genital areas,” says Dr. Song.
Why Trust Elle Beauty
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, beauty writer Carol Lee spoke with trusted experts about whole body deodorants. She also searched the internet for top-rated whole body deodorants, perused reviews for dozens of popular options, and evaluated each on their features and customer reviews.
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