Lume Acidified Body Wash and the pH Idea Behind It

Lume was founded in 2017 by Dr. Shannon Klingman, a board-certified OB-GYN who spent nearly a decade searching for a solution to body odor beyond the underarms, according to the brand's site. Its blog says she suspected that odor is ordinary bacteria meeting high-pH fluids, and hired a lab to study odor molecules to see if she was right. Women's Health UK credits Lume with popularizing the idea of full-body deodorants in 2017.

That is the thinking behind lume acidified body wash. Lume argues that soap raises skin's pH and speeds up the odor reaction, and that skin is happiest when it is slightly acidic. This is the brand's argument, not mine, so read it as Lume's argument. The brand names mandelic acid, a gentle alpha-hydroxy acid derived from bitter almonds, as the key active in its deodorants.

The first grid is Lume: the body wash in two scents, wipes, three kinds of stick and two sprays. The second grid is gentle body washes from other brands, from pH-balanced formulas to treatment cleanses.

My tip: wash with the acidified formula, pat dry, and only then reach for a stick or a wipe. Odor control layers best on skin that is clean and fully dry.

The Lume Body Wash Tube comes in Tangerine and Lavender. It is a pH-optimized acidified cleanser, designed on the idea that traditional soap raises skin pH so odor blooms faster. Both scents use the same formula, so choose by nose: Tangerine for a bright start, Lavender for a night shower.

The Acidified Deodorant Wipes in Cool Cucumber are the most-reviewed Lume item. They are whole-body wipes with aloe, clinically proven to control odor for 24 hours, for pits, underboob, feet and anywhere else. I would put a pack in a gym bag.

Then come the sticks. The Whole Body Invisible Cream Stick Deodorant in Toasted Coconut is an aluminum-free cream, clinically proven to control odor up to 72 hours. The Whole Body Smooth Solid Deodorant in Soft Powder is the classic solid, and the Solid Deodorant Stick in Vanilla Bliss is a gourmand vanilla version. All of them are made for the whole body, not just underarms.

The Whole Body Deodorant Spray in Lavender suits hard-to-reach friction spots like feet and underboob, and the Deodorant Plus Sweat Control Antiperspirant Spray in Soft Powder is a clinical-strength antiperspirant spray developed by OB/GYNs, with 24-hour sweat and odor protection.

What I would skip: the antiperspirant spray if you want to stay aluminum-free. The sticks and wipes are the aluminum-free route.

Luna Daily The Everywhere Wash is the closest idea here: a pH and microbiome-balancing body wash with notes of jasmine and ylang ylang, for all skin including sensitive and intimate areas. Luna Daily The Motherhood Wash was developed with OB-GYNs to soothe skin during and after pregnancy, with arnica, calendula and bisabolol. maude Wash is a pH-balanced body wash and bubble bath, available fragrance-free or in three scents.

Nécessaire has four options. The Body Wash Fragrance-Free is a gel with niacinamide, ceramides and hyaluronic acid to help repair the barrier, and it is the one I would give to sensitive or dry skin. The Eucalyptus is a multi-oil cleanse with marula, meadowfoam and cacay oils. The Olibanum has vitamin C and enzymes for dullness and uneven texture, with a sweet scent. The Santal uses epsom salt and minerals with a warm sandalwood scent.

OUAI Melrose Place Gentle Body Wash is a rose-fragranced wash that cleans without stripping or leaving a residue, with rosehip oil and jojoba oil. It is the most fragrant of the group.

The common thread is that none of these are harsh bars. If foaming soap leaves you tight and itchy, any one of them may be a nicer shower.

What I would skip: the fragranced washes on irritated or just-shaved skin. Choose the fragrance-free Nécessaire or the Luna Daily washes then.

I think Lume's wash is the right place to start if odor is what bothers you, and if you like the pH argument. It is not a replacement for a medical opinion, so if odor is sudden or strong, see a doctor. If you just want a kinder, fragrance-free wash, the second grid has several that do that without the odor claims. Either way, rinse well and dry thoroughly. I would also test any new scent on a small patch of skin first, because odor products are used on sensitive areas, and a fragrance you love in the bottle can be a bother in the folds of the body. Keep one wash you trust for those days. If you want to keep browsing, I also put together Method Body Wash and PanOxyl Body Wash, From an 1847 Soap Maker to Back Acne.