Should I use whole-body deodorant?

If you spend time on social media or have browsed the personal care section of a drugstore, you’ve likely seen whole-body deodorants.

They sound like a good idea, especially when temperatures rise during warmer months or if you sweat a lot. But should you add a whole-body deodorant to your routine? And how are whole-body deodorants different from products you’re already using?

What are whole-body deodorants?

Whole-body deodorants are similar to those marketed for your underarms. They come in cream, stick, and spray formulations. Many contain ingredients like glycerin to help them apply and stick better to your skin.

Whole-body deodorants and underarm deodorants often contain one or more of the following ingredients to help reduce body odor:

• Fragrance to cover body odor

• Ingredients that help absorb sweat and feel smooth, like cornstarch, arrowroot powder, tapioca, or silica

• Ingredients that target the bacteria that cause body odor, including witch hazel, mandelic acid, baking soda, or tea tree oil

Whole-body deodorants do not reduce how much you sweat.

Like underarm deodorants, whole-body deodorants won’t reduce how much you sweat unless they contain one or more of the following ingredients:

• Aluminum chloride

• Aluminum chlorohydrate

• Aluminum zirconium

How do I use whole-body deodorant?

Even though the name suggests you should apply whole-body deodorant to your entire body, dermatologists say you shouldn’t. That’s because the ingredients in whole-body deodorant could irritate your skin in sensitive areas.

You have sweat glands all over your body, but only some of them create sweat that smells. In those areas, your sweat mixes with bacteria on your skin to create body odor. If you’d like to reduce body odor, only apply whole-body deodorant in those spots, where the odor starts. If you apply the product in areas where you don’t have body odor, you won’t reduce the smell.

Dermatologists say sweating in these areas contributes to body odor:

• Armpits

• Feet

• Groin

Does whole-body deodorant treat excessive sweating?

No — most of the whole-body deodorant products you see in advertisements and stores do not treat excessive sweating because they aren’t antiperspirants. That means they do not reduce how much you sweat. Unless you see an ingredient containing aluminum listed on the label, the product is not an antiperspirant.

Your dermatologist knows how to treat excessive sweating.

Hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating, is a medical condition that causes you to sweat even when your body doesn’t need to. People with hyperhidrosis often sweat in their underarms, palms, soles, or head, and sometimes all over their body.

Antiperspirant is one of the top ways dermatologists treat hyperhidrosis. Sometimes, dermatologists prescribe prescription antiperspirants if a patient needs them, however, over-the-counter antiperspirants can also help fight excessive sweating.

You can learn self-care tips to help reduce excessive sweating at home at Hyperhidrosis: 6 tips dermatologists give their patients.

Can a dermatologist help my sweating and body odor?

Unusual or strong body odor can be caused by a lot of things. Your dermatologist knows how to diagnose medical conditions related to your skin and whether you may need to see another specialist.

If you’re concerned about how much you sweat, partner with a board-certified dermatologist. You can find a dermatologist in your area at Find a Dermatologist.

Images
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References
Cosmetics Safety Q&A: Personal Care Products. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Updated January 19, 2024. Accessed March 30, 2025.

Teerasumran, P, Velliou, E, Bai, S, Cai, Q. Deodorants and antiperspirants: New trends in their active ingredients and testing methods. International Journal of Cosmetic Science. (2023). Volume 45, Issue 4, 426-443.

Written by:
Brooke Schleehauf

Reviewed by:
Elizabeth Damstetter MD, FAAD
Elisa Gallo, MD, FAAD
Desmond Shipp, MD, MSBS, FAAD

Last updated: 5/16/25