{"id":2689040,"date":"2024-12-19T03:00:53","date_gmt":"2024-12-19T10:00:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.outsideonline.com\/?p=2689040"},"modified":"2025-01-08T08:45:31","modified_gmt":"2025-01-08T15:45:31","slug":"whole-body-deodorant-camping-hygiene","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.outsideonline.com\/health\/wellness\/whole-body-deodorant-camping-hygiene\/","title":{"rendered":"This Is the Last Place You Should Wear Whole-Body Deodorant"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"p1\">I couldn\u2019t tell you where I was when I first saw Secret\u2019s whole-body deodorant commercial, but I can tell you it has followed me everywhere since\u2014from Instagram to YouTube to my household\u2019s patchwork of streaming services. \u201cWanna know a secret? More than just my armpits stink,\u201d a woman deadpans straight into the camera. Then, a chorus of women cheerfully extolls the benefits of \u201cspraying, swiping, or smoothing\u201d the peach and vanilla-scented deodorant \u201ceverywhere\u2014and they really do mean everywhere.\u201d One woman puts it on in her bathroom, while another applies it in a locker room. Yet another uses it in her office, kicking her bare feet up on the desk in front of her and spritzing them. The last woman\u2014clad in a flannel shirt, khaki shorts, and hiking boots\u2014rubs the product on her legs while sitting on a tree stump in the woods.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI use Secret whole-body deodorant for clinically-proven odor protection everywhere, so I smell great all day, all hike, and all night,\u201d she says in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=0zPyW6rWiPA\" data-afl-p=\"0\">another version<\/a> of the ad.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/gvlUwoDQFiw?si=ioNDeUM9oGkFSA5C\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Women&#8217;s bodies<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>have long been stigmatized as dirty, a problem to be solved. In the sixties, amidst the moon landing, the first artificial heart transplant, and the invention of the cassette tape, there came another male innovation: the feminine-hygiene deodorant spray. By 1973, when the late Nora Ephron reported on the euphemistically-named product for <a href=\"https:\/\/classic.esquire.com\/article\/1973\/3\/1\/dealing-with-the-uh-problem\" data-afl-p=\"0\"><i>Esquire<\/i><\/a>, it occupied the medicine cabinets of more than 20 million American women. \u201cThe feminine-hygiene spray is the term coined by the industry for a deodorant for the external genital area (or, more exactly, the external perineal area),\u201d Ephron wrote. \u201cThe American woman [has] been convinced to spray her mouth, her underarms, and her feet; the feminine-hygiene spray, at this point, was probably inevitable.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">But why stop at these parts? Or even limit ourselves to sprays? Half a century later, so-called whole-body deodorants\u2014in sticks, aerosols, and creams\u2014are all the rage. In 2017, a little company called Lume introduced the idea of deodorizing not just \u201cpits,\u201d but also \u201cunderboob,\u201d \u201cthigh creases,\u201d and \u201ccrotch and butt smells\u201d to the masses. In 2024, legacy brands got in on the action, with whole-body deodorants from Procter &amp; Gamble\u2019s Secret, Old Spice, and Native brands hitting drugstore shelves in January. Dove and SheaMoisture, which are both owned by Unilever, released their own versions in May. If only Ephron, who died in 2012, was here to see how far we\u2019ve come. Instead of purchasing separate sprays for her armpits, feet, and vagina, the modern woman can reach for an all-in-one product to rid her entire body of any natural scent.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">The messaging isn&#8217;t quite as blunt as it was in the 1960s, when feminine-hygiene sprays <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/national\/health-science\/a-period-comes-to-an-end-100-years-of-menstruation-products\/2016\/04\/25\/1afe3898-057e-11e6-bdcb-0133da18418d_story.html\" data-afl-p=\"0\">were advertised as<\/a> \u201cessential\u2026to your peace of mind about being a girl.\u201d But while there are some brands making whole-body deodorant for men, like Mando and Dove&#8217;s Men+Care line, the majority of whole-body deodorants are targeted toward women. There\u2019s also a subtle difference in how the offerings for different genders are marketed. Women\u2019s whole-body deodorants offer \u201codor <i>protection<\/i>\u201d; men\u2019s whole body deodorants \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dove.com\/us\/en\/campaigns\/products\/men-care\/whole-body-deo-deodorant.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-afl-p=\"0\"><i>defend<\/i> against BO.<\/a>\u201d With this in mind, it\u2019s worth asking whether women really need this \u201cprotection\u201d in every sphere of life. After all, is smelling \u201cvery human\u201d after a hike, as one of the women in the Secret ad says, really such a terrible thing?<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2670767\" class=\"pom-image-wrap photo-aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2670767 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/deodorant-ad.jpg?width=730\" alt=\"Screenshot of a woman wearing a flannel shirt and saying, &quot;I smell very human right now.&quot;\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1350\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/deodorant-ad.jpg?width=300 300w, https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/deodorant-ad.jpg?width=768 768w\" \/><\/figure>\n<h2>Do You Really Need Whole-Body Deodorant?<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/news.pg.com\/news-releases\/news-details\/2024\/New-Secret-Whole-Body-Deodorant-Delivers-72-Hour-Odor-Protection-From-Pits-to-Privates\/default.aspx\" data-afl-p=\"0\">According to Secret<\/a>, four out of five dermatologists and gynecologists recommend their whole-body deodorant, which contains antimicrobial ingredients that inhibit the growth of odor-causing bacteria. (Secret and Procter &amp; Gamble did not respond to multiple requests for comment). But whether or not you must coat the entire surface area of your skin with a layer of deodorant to smell good is another question. So, does the average person actually need this all-over product?<b><\/b><\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe short answer is no, definitely not,\u201d says Dr. Jenna Peart, a dermatologist at Boulder Medical Center in Colorado. \u201cMost of these deodorants are not antiperspirants, so they\u2019re not a solution for excessive sweating that can sometimes lead to body odor.\u201d<b><\/b><\/p>\n<p>Peart is generally skeptical of products that claim to treat vaginal odor. In her practice, she sees women with vulvar rashes and irritation caused by scented products like feminine wipes. Some fragrances and preservatives in laundry detergent can also trigger itching and redness in the genital area, she says.<b><\/b><\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe only thing I ever recommend for cleaning the groin is water and gentle soap with no added fragrance,\u201d Peart says. \u201cAll that extra stuff tends to cause more problems.\u201d<b><\/b><\/p>\n<p>For most people, changing out of sweaty clothes and taking a shower after a workout or long day outdoors should be enough, Peart says. If you\u2019re showering every day and still having issues with body odor, that\u2019s a sign that you should see a doctor.<b><\/b><\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf you leave sweat on your skin, that will inevitably lead to bacterial growth which can be odor-producing. Basic hygiene practices can usually take care of that,\u201d Peart explains. \u201cBut there are conditions where you can have colonization of odor-producing bacteria, like bromhidrosis. That\u2019s an actual medical condition that you can get treatment for.\u201d (Bromhidrosis is abnormal or excessive body odor, typically caused by the bacterial breakdown of sweat gland secretions).<\/p>\n<div class=\"has-fade fade-up\" data-animation=\"\"><blockquote class=\"has-pullquote pullquote-fill\"><p>\u201cThe only thing I ever recommend for cleaning the groin is water and gentle soap with no added fragrance,\u201d Peart says. \u201cAll that extra stuff tends to cause more problems.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n<p>Whether the underlying issue is bromhidrosis\u00a0or hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), reducing the amount a patient sweats is usually the goal, Peart says. Possible treatment options include prescription-strength antiperspirants, oral medications, topical antibiotics, and Botox injections.<b><\/b><\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere are much better ways to manage this than using over-the-counter products,\u201d Peart says.<b><\/b><\/p>\n<p>OK, so if given the option of smearing deodorant all over your body or taking a shower, you should probably just wash yourself. But what if you\u2019re camping out in the wilderness for days or weeks at a time? Should you fill precious space in your pack with whole-body deodorant so you can \u201csmell great all day, all hike, and all night?\u201d<b><\/b><\/p>\n<p>Still, the answer is no. Scented products can attract bugs and other wildlife, including bears, which is why organizations like <a href=\"https:\/\/outwardbound.org\/blog\/10-tips-to-stay-clean-in-the-outdoors\/\" data-afl-p=\"0\">Outward Bound<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/ncoae.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/NCOAE-Alaska-25-Day-Pack-List.pdf\" data-afl-p=\"0\">The National Center for Outdoor ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø and Education<\/a> strongly advise against bringing deodorant into the backcountry.<b><\/b><\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ve done some backpacking in Wyoming\u2019s Wind River Range, where mosquitoes are a massive issue. They\u2019re just swarming everywhere. And I\u2019ve also camped in areas like the Maroon Bells-Smowmass Wilderness, where there are a lot of bears and you\u2019re mandated to carry bear canisters,\u201d Peart says. \u201cFragrance is definitely frowned upon, and for good reason. What I do is what I generally recommend for my patients, many of whom partake in these activities. I clean off sweat and dirt with a small, quick-dry towel with some water or one fragrance-free baby wipe that I pack out. And then I change into dry clothes for the evening.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>How to Maintain Personal Hygiene While Camping<\/h2>\n<p>It&#8217;s normal to have a bit of body odor when spending extended time outdoors. Personal hygiene will probably look, smell, and feel different while you\u2019re out in nature\u2014and that\u2019s OK.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBackcountry hygiene is more about cleanliness rather than smelling good. That means cleaning your skin and other parts of your body that are more prone to bacterial growth and infection,\u201d says Whitney Pander, a program director at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.outsideonline.com\/video\/1965-outward-bound-held-first-all-female-course\/\" data-afl-p=\"0\">Outward Bound<\/a>\u2019s Maine and Florida basecamps.<\/p>\n<p>For Kate Abraham, another Outward Bound program director based in Maine, it\u2019s helpful to see your outdoor personal-care regimen in relation to your day-to-day hygiene practices.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI feel that my backcountry routines in comparison to my front-country routines are not that different,\u201d Abraham says. \u201cI\u2019m still trying to care for the same parts of my body, only in a simplified way.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Just like at home, it\u2019s important to wash your hands after using the bathroom, and you should clean your face, armpits, feet, and private parts daily. Some people use biodegradable soap and a washcloth, while others prefer tea tree oil and a cotton bandana. After peeing, some people use <a href=\"https:\/\/www.backpacker.com\/gear\/essentials\/are-pee-cloths-good-or-bad\/\" data-afl-p=\"0\">pee rags<\/a>, while others may feel more comfortable with toilet paper and unscented wipes. Brush your teeth twice a day with your usual toothpaste or toothpaste tabs.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSometimes you hear that there\u2019s a very specific way to care for yourself in the wilderness, which tends to be very minimal and not inclusive of different skin, hair, and body types,\u201d Pander says. \u201cAs an organization, we\u2019re moving away from that. It\u2019s about understanding your body and finding the right care that your body needs.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"has-fade fade-up\" data-animation=\"\"><blockquote class=\"has-pullquote pullquote-fill\"><p>\u201cBackcountry hygiene is more about cleanliness rather than smelling good.\u201d &#8211; Whitney Pander, a program director at Outward Bound&#8217;s Maine and Florida basecamps<\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n<p>There\u2019s no one-size-fits-all backcountry hygiene routine, Pander and Abraham say. What matters is that you take care of your health while honoring Leave No Trace principles: do your business and rinse yourself off at least 200 feet away from a body of water, pack out wipes, toilet paper, and menstrual products, and spray your toothpaste instead of spitting it out in a clump. When it comes to pooping, there is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.backpacker.com\/stories\/essays\/opinion\/catholes-outdated-pooping-outside\/\" data-afl-p=\"0\">a spirited debate<\/a> over the merits of using WAG bags or other waste-disposal kits versus digging a cat hole. One thing\u2019s for sure: no \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.outsideonline.com\/outdoor-adventure\/environment\/outdoor-poop-etiquette\/\" data-afl-p=\"0\">surface turds<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><script src=\"https:\/\/cdn.jwplayer.com\/players\/1hy2BUFx-fyTDUKlw.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>And leave the deodorant\u2014whole-body or not\u2014at home. In addition to attracting critters, reapplying deodorant without thoroughly bathing can clog pores and lead to rashes. For some students, especially self-conscious teenagers, the prospect of not wearing deodorant can be anxiety-inducing, Abraham says. But talking openly about their insecurities can take some of the pressure off.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI tend to approach it with humor. Like, yeah we might smell bad, but we\u2019ll smell bad together,\u201d Abraham says. \u201cAs humans, we want to feel like we belong. And so when I emphasize that this is something we\u2019re doing together, they\u2019re like, OK, we\u2019re <i>all <\/i>doing it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Of course we shouldn\u2019t be focused on body odor while enjoying the great outdoors. But when we go off the grid to escape the stifling expectations of the real world, we may still take all the cultural messaging about what our bodies should look and smell like with us. The solution to this problem isn\u2019t dousing ourselves in artificial fragrances. Rather, it\u2019s practicing true self-care\u2014which involves a healthy dose of self-acceptance\u2014wherever we are.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A commercial for Secret\u2019s whole-body deodorant says the product will make women \u201csmell great all day, all hike, and all night.\u201d But why should that even 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