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<\/p>\nYou may have noticed new deodorants at the supermarket or in social media feeds recently, with taglines such as “pits, privates and beyond”.<\/p>\n
These “whole-body” deodorants are raising eyebrows among some biologists, dermatologists and marketing researchers.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“This study asks Australians to identify all of the ads that they see in their feed in a 10-day period,” Dr Newton says.<\/p>\n
“And as part of that work, we did capture a number of these all-body deodorants.”<\/p>\n
She says the products are being advertised by both small and major cosmetic brands.<\/p>\n
“[They’re] being promoted in kind of traditional forms of digital advertising, but also in other forms of promotional content, like influencer content.”<\/p>\n
But do we even need whole-body deodorants and where on your body is it OK to use them?<\/p>\n
Can our whole body sweat and stink?<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
But, he adds, “you have different sweat glands in your body”.<\/p>\n
“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).”<\/p>\n
The rest of your body is typically covered in eccrine sweat glands, he says.<\/p>\n
“These mostly release water and electrolytes and so don’t smell bad.”<\/p>\n
Experts say “whole-body” deodorants are a new trend in cosmetic products. (ABC Lifestyle: Amy Sheehan)<\/p>\n
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”.<\/p>\n
Our experts say if you are showering daily, these body odours will be under control in most cases.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“We are meant to sweat, it’s very important and helps regulate your temperature.”<\/p>\n
They’re deodorants, not antiperspirants<\/p>\n
A lot of the “whole-body” products are deodorants, not antiperspirants, and our experts say it is important to understand the difference.<\/p>\n
Deodorants typically use antibacterial ingredients and perfumes to disguise odour.<\/p>\n
“So, deodorant just kind of covers the smell,” Dr Koh Belic says.<\/p>\n
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