This Deodorizing Body Wash Keeps Me Stink-Free on Even the Sweatiest Days

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Bye bye, body odor.
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This is it. This is the article that will put an end to stink-shaming.

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After all, ‌everyone‌ sweats, especially in the summertime, and especially this year, with many places around the world hitting record-high temperatures.

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Sweat really puts a damper on our efforts to stay fresh and cool, even when doing simple tasks like household chores or working out.

This is where I'd like to introduce you to the magical and deodorizing product that is Lume Acidified Body Wash.

Pros

  • Free of phthalates, parabens and SLS/SLES
  • Unscented and scented options
  • Safe for all skin types and all body areas
  • Good lather
  • Doesn’t leave a film on skin

Cons

  • Wash can be a bit runny
  • Some of the scents are quite powerful

Let me back up a second to say: In the summer, I'm no stranger to carrying an extra stick of deodorant around in case I notice an unwelcome smell throughout the day. But since using Lume's body wash, that deodorant hasn't been used once.

What makes this product so magical? It's the odor-neutralizing acids.

Why It Works So Well Against Odor

The main ingredient is mandelic acid, which, according to Patricia Farris, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist in Metairie, Louisiana, is "a very mild alpha hydroxy acid that's gentle on skin, less likely to cause irritation and can be used in sensitive areas, like under the arms."

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As you wash your underarms (and other skin folds where sweat lingers), mandelic acid chemically exfoliates the skin, removing dead skin cells that harbor odor-causing bacteria, Dr. Farris adds. This makes it less likely for odors to latch on and make themselves known.

"The term 'acidified' also means this wash regulates your skin's pH enough to change the bacterial flora on your skin, keeping it closer to your body's natural pH," says David Pariser, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist in Norfolk, Virginia. This is different from non-acidified washes, which often only cause dryness and irritation.

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On top of that, Lume's Acidified Body Wash is free of sulfates, phthalates and parabens.

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While the wash does not stop sweat from happening (that's the job of an antiperspirant or prescription medication if sweating is excessive, per Dr. Pariser), it does have a longer staying power than other body washes when it comes to getting rid of and blocking the odor that comes with sweat.

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A Few Other Great Stink-Busting Products

I have also tried the Lume Deodorant and the brand's Acidified Deodorant Wipes, but the wash has found a permanent place in my at-home shower routine.

I do, however, find the wipes especially great for travel, as you can use them when you're out and about and don't have time for a shower in between activities.

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The Bottom Line

If you're looking for a body wash that works in tandem with your other sweat-management products and can be used safely for all potentially sweaty parts of the body, then Lume Acidified Body Wash is an excellent choice.

Ultimately, I've made it a mission to give myself and others grace during this especially sweaty and stinky season. This body wash, I've found, makes that mission a ‌little‌ easier.

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references

Is this an emergency? If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the National Library of Medicine’s list of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911.

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