10 best all-body deodorant balms, according to dermatologists

While traditional deodorants target odor and sweat in the armpits, the new odor protectants on the block — namely, deodorant balms — cater to all your bits. Whole-body deodorants and deodorant balms are one of the most popular trends in skin care right now, and it’s not hard to see their appeal. Athletes, those prone to sweat or anyone needing odor protection anytime, anywhere can appreciate a hygiene and grooming product that gets the job done. As such, we asked three top dermatologists, a cosmetic chemist and a jiujitsu pro to recommend the best deodorant balms for staying odor-free all over — and to provide some insight into the booming deodorizing category.

Click here to skip to see which deodorant balms are worth trying, or scroll down to learn all about the emerging category.

What is deodorant balm?

Deodorant balm is a popular format of whole-body deodorant. Its balmy texture differs from that of spray-on or stick deodorants, and deodorant balms are often formulated for use anywhere you sweat. They apply similarly to a lotion and can help neutralize odors wherever sweat may be a problem. That means they’ve got your underboob, thighs, privates and more covered. So, how are whole-body deodorants different from their pit-focused counterparts?

What is whole-body deodorant?

“Conventional antiperspirants and deodorants are specifically formulated to address both odor and sweat in the armpit area, but whole-body deodorants are formulated to be used anywhere on the body. They are more focused on deodorizing than sweat or wetness control,” says Melissa Christenson, a cosmetic chemist and the co-founder and head of product development at Hume Supernatural.

How does deodorant balm work?

Deodorant balms and other types of whole-body deodorants work somewhat differently from other kinds of deodorant. To understand how they work, it’s crucial to get a grasp on glands. “We have several types of sweat glands,” says Mary L. Stevenson, New York City-based board-certified dermatologist and Mohs micrographic surgeon. “While eccrine sweat glands are connected to the surface of the skin and are present all over the entire body and responsible for most of our sweat, apocrine sweat glands, on the other hand, become dominant at puberty and are connected to the hair follicle and, therefore, are found in places like axillae [or armpits] and the groin. Deodorants prevent body odor while antiperspirants prevent sweating and, therefore, also odor.”

But that odor might not come from the actual sweat. “Much of the smell that occurs in areas like the armpits and the groin doesn’t come from the sweat itself, which is technically odorless, but from the byproducts of digestion that lead to smell,” Stevenson says. “Many [antibacterial] deodorants contain ingredients that aim to combat bacteria that cause our sweat to smell.”

She adds that the primary ingredients in antiperspirants tend to be aluminum salts, which clog glands to stop the release of sweat. “Unlike traditional deodorants used for the armpits, whole-body deodorants [and deodorant balms], which are becoming a trend, are designed to be used in many places of the body — including armpits, folds and areas of friction like groin folds and under the breasts and feet,” Stevenson says. Common ingredients in these whole-body formulations include sodium bicarbonate and starch powders to absorb sweat, along with oils like tea tree and peppermint to mask odors.

Who is deodorant balm for?

While whole-body deodorants and deodorant balms can help anyone mask odor, athletes, in particular, gravitate toward them. Becky Williams, a jiujitsu athlete and the founder of Mil Usos, which provides face and body care for athletes, has long recognized the need for easy-to-apply, multitasking odor protection.

“I have trained jiujitsu for nine years, and it would seem that the athlete’s greatest joy in life is to purposefully do things that make them smell as pungent as humanly possible, ” Williams jokes. “Jiujitsu is like wrestling. You are on the ground, using your own body to smash, pin and control [your] opponent’s body into submission. It’s a full-contact sport — there’s no hiding anything from anyone. Needless to say, it becomes embarrassingly obvious both to you and your opponents that your body smells in more places than just your armpits.”

But it’s not just contact sports that call for whole-body deodorant. “Even other solo sports, like running or biking — anything that causes you to work up a sweat for a prolonged period of time — is going to translate into more than just isolated armpit odor,” Williams says.

“The groin contains apocrine sweat glands, and that area is often covered in multiple layers of fabric from underwear, base layers, pants or other specialty gear, so the whole area is basically an incubator for body odor,” she says. “In a similar way, your feet sweat into your shoes for hours before they are exposed to fresh air. We’ve all felt the embarrassment of smelling a little too potent in sensitive areas, but for athletes, it’s even worse because our training produces high amounts of sweat upon which odor-causing bacteria thrive.”

Hence, whole-body deodorants were born of necessity, and more options are hitting the shelves at nearly every big-box retailer. A little ingredient savviness is key when selecting the best deodorant balm for you.

How to pick a whole-body deodorant

“When looking for a whole-body deodorant, it’s important to consider gentle ingredients that are suitable for sensitive skin,” says Dr. Kemi Fabusiwa, a London-based medical doctor who focuses on dermatology. “Opt for products that are free from harsh chemicals and choose a product that is not heavily fragranced, as that has the potential to irritate the skin.”

Dr. DiAnne Davis, a board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon based in Texas, adds, “You want to consider an option that is going to be gentle to use on any of the external surfaces of the body. An option that is made without aluminum salts, parabens or baking soda is ideal to consider to minimize any irritation. Because this product will be applied on different parts of the body, an option that doesn’t leave a white residue is also practical.”

How to apply deodorant balm

After you’ve chosen your whole-body deodorant, application is pretty simple — but don’t undertake it while the skin is damp. “Whole-body deodorants are best applied to clean, dry skin,” Christenson says. “If water is listed on the ingredients of a product, you can expect that it will be a bit wet feeling on application, so you will need to let it dry well before getting dressed.” She adds, “While whole-body deodorants are also designed for use in sensitive areas like privates, it’s important to remember that usage is for external areas only and that these areas can be more sensitive than other parts of the body. Fragrance-free is a good choice if below the belt is the primary area of usage.”

Still dubious about whole-body deodorant? Ease into it with these dermatologist-approved tips. “When adding any product to your regimen it is important to avoid irritants and allergens,” Stevenson says. “If you have sensitive skin, it is generally a good idea to try a small amount of product in one location for several days. I often advise my patients with sensitive skin to try new products of concern behind the ear in small quantities for five days before applying to larger areas.”

Fabusiwa adds that one should “avoid applying the product to broken or irritated skin and discontinue use if you experience any adverse effects like redness, itching or burning.”

Ready to explore whole-body odor protection? Vetted by our experts and beauty editor, here are our picks for the best deodorant balms and other types of full-body deodorants.

Best deodorant balms

More all-body deodorants