Can body deodorants combat sweat?

DETROIT – We are used to using deodorants under the armpits to keep us smelling fresh, but now there is a new category for the whole body – deodorant and antiperspirant creams and wipes for the whole body. Do they work? Do you even need them? Consumer Reports gets to the truth so you can decide if they’re worth your money.

Consumer Reports reporter Jodhaira Rodriguez isn’t afraid to admit she’s a sweater. She said, “I’m a stress sweater, a spicy food sweater, a workout sweater, and sometimes even an anger sweater.” After speaking with a dermatologist, she worked with the Consumer Reports team to report on three anti-sweat products.

First place in Jodhira’s home trial was Lume Whole Body Deodorant Plus Sweat Control Smooth Cream. She said: “Rubbing cream on my armpits every night before bed felt so wrong compared to the usual procedure of rubbing a solid deodorant stick on my armpits, but it was easy. “I applied a pea-sized amount daily . The cream dried quickly so I didn’t have to wait to get dressed.”

According to Jodhaira, the results were impressive and there was no skin irritation. She said: “During my twice-weekly runs, my armpits remained completely dry throughout the entire 3-mile lap and I didn’t notice any odor after the run either. I sweated a bit after a particularly stressful morning phone call, but aside from the stress sweat, I stayed completely dry throughout the week.”

The following week, she tried Sweatblock Max Clinical Antiperspirant Wipes on one armpit and Duradry PM Sweat Minimizing Gel on the other armpit. Jodhaira said: “The first thing I noticed about the Sweatblock wipes was their smell straight after opening the packaging. The company describes it as having a “subtle, sweet clove smell,” but I found it unpleasant. The Duradry gel had no odor and dried clear over the three nights I applied it.”

Jodhaira reports that the second week was just as dry as the first. She noticed minimal sweat and no odor. She said: “The two weeks I spent using these products were the two least sweating weeks of my adult life. They weren’t completely antiperspirant, but I actually decided to swap out my antiperspirant stick for a full body deodorant.”

So would these types of products be suitable for you? The experts say it’s important to allow the body to sweat, especially during exercise or hot weather, but as long as these products are used as directed, they should be fine for most people.

These three products cost less than $30 each. You can buy them at drugstores or online.

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