Full body deodorants: the solution to a non-existent problem

Walk into any supermarket or pharmacy and you will find aisles full of products designed to make you smell “fresh”, feel “spotless”, or somehow achieve a level of “spotless” that no human body naturally possesses.

The offer of intimate hygiene products, showers and steam cooking sets has been joined by deodorants for the whole body, the terms of which were searched on the Internet these deodorants growing massively from 2023. They all promise to do what your body is already masterfully prepared to do: keep you spotless and functioning.

But the thing is, your body is not unclean.

Full-body deodorants are marketed for areas beyond the armpits, most commonly the feet and private parts, but it is misleading to assume that these areas are inherently sullied. In fact, the body is a finely tuned biological system that has been self-regulating for millennia. The idea that steep products are needed to achieve basic hygiene is a fallacy rooted in marketing, not science.

Self-cleaning vaginas

The vagina is one of the most misunderstood parts of the body when it comes to hygiene. Despite its amazing ability to maintain its own health through a exquisite balance of pH and beneficial bacteria, there is an entire industry selling products that disrupt this natural system.

From douches to scented wipes, these products often cause the problems they claim to solve, such as infections or irritation.

The most crucial element of the vaginal self-cleaning process is vaginal discharge – a natural and necessary function. The discharge consists of water, mucus and cells shed from the vaginal mucosa, which wash away bacteria, dead cells and impurities.

Thanks to this continuous self-flushing mechanism, internal cleaning such as rinsing is not necessary. In fact, such interventions can be disruptive vaginal microbiomeincreasing the risk of bacterial vaginosis or yeast infections.

Vaginal steaminga practice promoted by health-conscious influencers claims to “cleanse” or “revitalize” the uterus and vagina. However, there is no evidence of benefit, and when it comes to the uterus, it reveals a misunderstanding of the anatomy. This is unnecessary at best and harmful at worst.

While the vagina takes care of its internal health, the external area of ​​the vulva requires some attention. The skin of the vulva, exposed to sweat, urine and natural oils, benefits from gentle daily cleaning with toasty water or bland soap.

Men’s intimate hygiene

For men, the marketing approach is different but equally misleading. Products such as intimate hygiene fluids and deodorizing sprays are presented as indispensable in up-to-date care. Consider the advent of “roll-on sprays” (the real term) and lotions that keep the scrotum desiccated and odor-free.

The scrotum is more than just a protective sac for the testicles; it is also a thermoregulatory organ whose function is to maintain optimal temperature for sperm production. To achieve this, the scrotum is equipped with eccrine sweat glands.

These glands are petite coiled structures located in the dermis. They work by releasing sweat through channels that open directly onto the skin’s surface. This sweat evaporates, dissipating heat and helping cold the scrotum.

Otherwise apocrine sweat glands Eccrine glands, located in areas such as the armpits or groin, do not produce the lipid-rich secretions that can cause body odor when broken down by bacteria, so scrotal sweat is usually fragrance-free.

Although excess moisture can lead to problems such as fungal infections, they can often be managed with breathable fabrics, regular washing and thorough drying – rather than specialist products.

Feet – the unsung heroes of sweat regulation

Feet, often encased in socks and shoes, are another common target for deodorants and body sprays. Feet are not sullied by nature, they are simply hardworking, endowed approximately 250 thousand sweat glands – the largest concentration of sweat glands in the body.

Like the scrotum, these are eccrine sweat glands, secreting mainly water-based sweat that helps cold the feet, especially during physical activity or in toasty conditions.

The moisture produced by sweat also reduces the friction between the skin and the footwear. Additionally, eccrine sweat keeps the skin on your feet supple and prevents cracking that could otherwise create entry points for infection.

Although foot sweat is fragrance-free, if trapped in a damp, toasty environment such as socks or shoes, bacteria on the skin break down the components of sweat, releasing odor-causing compounds. Prolonged moisture can also lead to fungal infections such as athlete’s foot and skin maceration, which causes softened skin to become more susceptible to irritation and damage.

Managing foot sweat is about supporting the body’s natural processes, not eliminating them. Daily washing with toasty water and bland soap and then drying thoroughly is indispensable.

Bottom line is, if a company is trying to tell you that your body is inherently unclean, it’s probably not your hygiene that needs fixing. It’s their marketing gimmick.

However, if body odor persists despite daily washing, it may signal an underlying medical condition. These conditions deserve compassionate examination and appropriate support, not masked by overpriced products that only treat the symptoms, not the cause.

Michelle Spear does not work for, consult for, own stock in, or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has not disclosed any relevant affiliations beyond her academic position.