This may sound obvious, but I really don’t like to smell.
As someone who overheats really easily, that’s not always easy to accomplish. I’m the type of person who always has something in my bag — whether it’s a deodorant, antiperspirant, wet wipe, perfume rollerball, etc. — to either conceal potential odor, or stop it from happening altogether.
Over the years I’ve tried dozens of deodorants and antiperspirants from popular brands, and I’ve definitely found some good ones, but I was eager to try the Lume Whole Body Deodorant — a deodorant for your entire body, not just your underarms — when given the chance. I was skeptical about the concept at first, but after trying it, I’m seriously thinking about adding it permanently to my routine.
SKIP AHEAD What is the Lume Whole Body Deodorant? | How I tested Lume’s body deodorant | My experience with Lume’s body deodorant | Who is Lume’s body deodorant best for?
What is the Lume Whole Body Deodorant?
The Lume Whole Body Deodorant is exactly what it sounds like — it’s an invisible deodorant formula that stops body odor on your “pits, privates or anywhere else,” according to the brand. Although many deodorants come with fresh scents and odor controlling ingredients, Lume’s takes it a step further: it also uses mandelic acid to even and brighten skin tone and reduce redness and hyperpigmentation, while also being aluminum-free, according to the brand.
Lume recommends applying it daily until you notice that you’ve gone 24 hours without odor — at that point, the brand recommends experimenting with how often you need to apply it, as it’ll change from person to person.
It’s available in three formulas — smooth solid, cream tube and cream stick, all of which you should apply to dry skin for best results, according to Lume. The smooth solid stick is a more traditional, solid deodorant, while the cream tube and cream stick formulas are a smooth, water-based cream (the only difference is in their packaging, so your choice will depend on which application style you prefer). Each formula comes in eight scents, including Soft Powder, Clean Tangerine, Toasted Coconut and an unscented option. For heavy sweaters, the deodorant also comes in a sweat control antiperspirant formula, which is available as a cream or in a stick.
How I tested Lume’s body deodorant
I used the cream tube formula in the Soft Powder scent for two weeks alongside NBC Select associate updates editor Zoe Malin, who used the Lavender Sage cream tube deodorant for one week. The cream texture feels like a thick moisturizer, so I found using my fingertips to gently rub it onto wherever I wanted to wear it, best. I used the deodorant on my high-sweat zones — under my arms, under my boobs, and between my legs; Malin used it on her underarms.
We both wore it as a daily deodorant, as well as while working out — I had it on at the gym and while on walks, while Malin applied it prior to her long runs and various workout classes, including pilates, barre and hot yoga.
For context, we both have combination skin — my skin is on the oilier side, while Malin’s is more sensitive. We also both struggle with stress-related sweat and body odor, but where I’m more prone to sweating in general, Malin usually sweats primarily when she’s exercising, or doing a lot of walking around the city throughout the day.
My experience with Lume’s body deodorant
Overall, we both found the full body deodorant very effective, particularly when it comes to stopping body odor and day-to-day funk. I was genuinely surprised at how long it lasted, and at how quickly the formula absorbed into my skin. There are, however, a few things to keep in mind if you’re thinking about trying Lume for yourself. Keep reading to see our full thoughts on the deodorant below.
What I like
Long-lasting odor prevention
Right off the bat, it was clear that this deodorant did exactly what it was meant to — over my time wearing it, I experienced almost zero bodily odor, even in times of serious stress. I wore it all day on my underarms and underboob — including to the gym, to the office, and even to bed — and it held up against what would, for me, normally result in a bit of armpit smell. I can say that after a full 24 hours, it was still going strong.
Invisible, quick-drying formula
When it comes to deodorants, I hate having to deal with left-over deodorant residue on my shirts or bras. Luckily, neither of us ran into that issue while trying this cream deodorant that dries clear I found that the formula starts off slightly thick and sticky, but dries invisibly in under a minute, so by the time I get dressed, there’s no chance of any product transfer or white streaks. Malin had a similar experience, and says that unlike other “liquid” deodorants she’s tried, she feels no tackiness at all after the Lume formula dried.
In addition to being invisible, the formula’s also pretty potent, so in this case, a little went a long way. A pea-sized amount in my underarms was enough to last me through the work day, with no reapplications needed.
Safe for sensitive (and private) skin
Although my skin isn’t exactly sensitive, in the past I’ve experienced irritation from other deodorants and antiperspirants I’ve tried. This deodorant raised none of these issues for me, even in areas other than my underarms. Malin, who has sensitive skin, also says she found Lume’s deodorant gentle and nonirritating. I also noticed that over time, my underarms (which can sometimes look dark after shaving) had a more even tone.
One morning, when I was feeling particularly adventurous before the gym, I applied the deodorant to some more private, delicate areas (safely, as directed by the brand) to see how effective it would be in another high-sweat zone during a workout. I was nervous about inflammation, but all in all, it had the same effect as when I used it on my underarms — long-lasting, no smell and no irritation. I ended up using it like that a few more times, all of which had the same great results.
Drawbacks to keep in mind
Scent
I didn’t really notice the scented deodorant throughout the day. Applying it, however, was a different story. “I didn’t really smell it when it was on my body, but it did when I first squeezed it out of the tube and I did not love it,” says Malin. We had different scents (I tried Soft Powder while she tried Lavender Sage), but I experienced something pretty similar. While I didn’t think the Soft Powder smell was unpleasant, it had a slightly chemical scent coming out of the tube. The scent pretty much disappears once it’s on, however. If you have a particularly sensitive nose, the brand also has an unscented option, which Malin says she’ll probably gravitate towards if she were to try it again.
Formula type
Choosing the right formula type is crucial for making sure you have a positive experience. If you opt for the cream, your hands will likely become a bit sticky — a stick or tube will be better if you want something you can apply on the go. (I typically like to use a stick, although I had no particular issues with using the cream from Lume.)
Who is the Lume Whole Body Deodorant best for?
If you’re looking for a deodorant that gives you long-lasting, invisible odor prevention that you can use anywhere (and yes, I mean anywhere) on your body, the Lume Whole Body Deodorant is definitely something you’ll want to give a try. If you’re someone who sweats a lot, an antiperspirant may be a better choice, though Lume’s formula is also great for minimizing odor during days out or at the office. The gentle formula’s also ideal for anyone with sensitive skin, or for those who are looking to stop scents in more private areas of the body.
If you’re looking for a whole body deodorant with a spray formula, Native’s Whole Body Deodorant Spray, which is aluminum- and baking soda-free, according to the brand, might be a great option. At nearly $21 (for a 3-ounce bottle), Lume’s body deodorant isn’t cheap — for a more budget-friendly spray option, consider Secret’s Whole Body Deodorant Spray, which retails for $13 (for 3.5-ounces).
Why trust NBC Select?
Ashley Morris is an associate SEO reporter at NBC Select who covers skin care, wellness and fitness, lifestyle and more.
Morris and NBC Select associate updates editor, Zoe Malin, each tried the Lume Whole Body Deodorant for a minimum of one week, and kept note of the deodorant’s effectiveness when it came to odor prevention, wear over time, formulation and more, while comparing it to other, similar deodorants.
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