What to Look for in an Effective Deodorant

Finding the best deodorant for stinky armpits starts with understanding a simple equation: sweat + bacteria = body odor.

Sweat by itself doesn’t stink. It’s when the bacteria that live on the skin break down sweat into acids that causes smelly armpits and body odor in general. Which is why deodorants exist. However, not all deodorants are created equal, and some just cover up the smell rather than prevent it in the first place. The most effective deodorant will fight odor by preventing bacteria from digesting sweat and other fluids on our skin, which makes us smell funky. 



Science lesson aside, here are few useful tips to help guide you when you’re looking for a product to prevent your B.O. If you’re tired of searching for a deodorant that actually works effectively, don’t give up hope.

Find Expert Reviews by Professional Pit Sniffers

Yep, it’s a real job. How else would you know if the product actually works? One such professional “odor judge” is Barrie Drewitt, who is the Technical Director of Princeton Consumer Research. Known as the “odor guru,” he’s been testing deodorant products for over 20 years around the world. Using his keen sense of smell in controlled studies, he sniffs the smelliest people he can find during the hottest times of the year to determine B.O. thresholds. Drewitt and his team are able to determine from data how long a product can work on each test group before they start to smell. So, if you are looking for a long-lasting, aluminum free deodorant, for example, you’d start by researching what odor experts like Drewitt have to say.

Get One That Works on Underarms—and Everywhere Else

Body odor doesn’t originate solely from the armpits. While perspiration does indeed originate in the hair-bearing areas of your underarms, other areas of the body get sweaty and stinky too for obvious reasons. Fortunately, there are products on the market today that are changing the way we think about human hygiene. They are the disrupting the way we talk about body odor and how we feel when we, say, skip a shower (dry shampoo, anyone?). That said, if you could try a product that works anywhere externally on the body to prevent odor—such as armpits, under the breasts, tummy folds, or groin—would you? Say goodbye to body odor by choosing a deodorant that attacks all sources of unpleasant smells.

Stay Away from Stain-Causing Deodorants

Believe it or not, those embarrassing yellow pits stains are not usually caused by sweat itself but from aluminum, baking soda, or other ingredients found in the deodorant or antiperspirant. So choose what would be akin to an aluminum free antiperspirant or opt for a water-based deodorant that’s proven not to leave stains or residue on your clothing. The waxes in those products that contain aluminum don’t wash out well, which leads to lingering body odor trapped in clothing. We all have those shirts that perpetually smell, no matter if they just came out of the wash. So, opt for a deodorant that washes out of clothing, prevents odor, and doesn’t leave stains.

Learn What Ingredients Are in It

Many people are steering away from deodorants that contain certain ingredients such as aluminum, while others might choose to not shop with a brand that tests their products on animals. Increasingly, people are seeking out products containing naturally-derived ingredients that still get the job done. When shopping, read the label to make sure the product is a vegan and cruelty free deodorant that does not test on animals. When it comes to learning about what’s in your deodorant, look for a formula that is free of aluminum, baking soda, silicone, phthalates, parabens, sulfates, gluten, corn, soy, talc, and coconut oil.

About Lumē Deodorant

Lume Deodorant for Underarms and Private Parts is a doctor-developed, hypoallergenic deodorant for men and women. It contains no aluminum, baking soda, or parabens and instead offers up a cruelty-free, vegan formula that’s made with naturally-derived ingredients. Lume Deodorant is safe for sensitive skin and can be used externally on pits, feet, privates, or anywhere else you want to be odor-free. Dr. Shannon Klingman is an OB/GYN and inventor of Lume Deodorant. She originally created Lume Deodorant to help her patients with odor concerns. It turns out that the product Dr. Klingman developed is a very effective underarm deodorant too. It’s been a long journey from when she made her first version of Lume Deodorant in her kitchen to now holding two patents for her unique invention. Lume is a product that actually prevents external odor from happening in the first place, and it’s changing the way people think about—and use—deodorant.

Learn more about Lume Deodorant at Lumedeodorant.com

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