HONEST Lume Deodorant Review + 7 Lume Scents Ranked (2024)

It’s possible that I’m sadly mistaken, and no one has the heart to tell me, but I’ve never had a big problem with body odor. (I think! Hopefully!)

I shower every day (sometimes twice a day) and frequently change my clothes midday, simply because I love baths and showers, and I enjoy playing dress-up.

As a result, I’ve used previous deodorants more like perfume: a pleasant scent to add to my body rather than a means to control odor.

I do, however, use deodorant in the summertime to prevent thigh-chafing and underboob sweat.

I started using Lume three years ago after impulsively ordering a set (thanks, targeted advertising!).

I had hoped for an aromatic, floral scent, but instead it reminded me of diaper cream. It smelled like a baby’s bottom!

I wondered why I had dropped $30 on deodorant that smelled terrible and cursed my impulsive spending habits.

However, even after that awful start, I’m still a fan of Lume.

That’s because I was missing a key piece of understanding about Lume during my first experience. Lume doesn’t cover up odor; it chemically prevents it.

As of 2023, Lume has updated its formula to address the complaints about that “diaper cream” smell. I’ve painstakingly tested the new formula to determine how it stacks up against the original.

Read on for my in-depth review of Lume deodorant, the baby’s bottom smell, a list of ranked Lume deodorant scents, and find out if Lume is worth the price and the hype.

What is Lume Deodorant?

Lume is an aluminum-free, paraben-free deodorant that was invented by a gynecologist, Dr. Shannon Klingman, to help control body odor and sweat while avoiding irritation to sensitive skin. It contains natural ingredients such as:

• aloe barbadensis leaf juice
• tapioca starch
• maranta arundinacea root powder AKA arrowroot powder
• mandelic acid

These natural ingredients in Lume are scientifically shown to affect the pH of your body to decrease odor-causing bacteria, absorb perspiration, and moisturize to reduce chaffing.

In 2023, Lume reformulated its deodorant and is no longer fully natural. It also contains some synthetic ingredients, though it is still skin-safe, vegan, cruelty-free, and has top marks from the Environmental Working Group.

How You Should Use Lume Deodorant and How it Works–Important!

The most critical Lume deodorant ingredient is mandelic acid, which has an antibacterial effect. Mandelic acid stops odor-causing bacteria from building up in the first place, which means Lume needs a “clean slate” to work.

If you haven’t showered in a few days and start to smell, putting on some Lume won’t tide you over for another 24 hours. This is because the odor-causing bacteria is already there. So to use it properly, apply it right after showering to protect your pits, privates, groin, feet, or whatever other parts you treasure.

How I Tested Lume Deodorant

I’ve been using Lume for over three years. I generally use it on my armpits, but have also used it in the under-boob area, inner thighs, and private areas.

I tested Lume against my normal daily activities, which include lots of walking, working on my feet, and living through New York summers.

I’ve based my judgments on the FOFAL criteria, which I invented just now and present to you below:

• Fragrance (15%): As in, how good the product smells on its own, and how much the scent lives up to its name. For example, does the Peony Rose actually smell like peonies and roses?
• Odor control (50%): How good do I smell when I use Lume? Does it give me B.O. or does it prevent it?
• Functionality (10%): Does the packaging work well? Does the formula leave residue?
• Antiperspirant abilities (5%): Most drugstore deodorants tackle both odor and sweat. Does Lume prevent pit stains as well as body odors?
• Longevity (20%): How long does the product last on my body? How often do I need to reapply? And, also, how long does each package last, relative to the cost?

Lume Deodorant Review and Results from Testing [2023]

I’ve been testing since 2021, starting with Jasmine Rose. In 2022, I tried out a whole range of scents. I tried all of the following Lume deodorants in their original formula:

• Jasmine Rose (cream stick and cream tube)
• Clean Tangerine (cream stick)
• Silver Spruce (cream stick)
• Lavender Sage (solid stick)
• Peony Rose (cream stick)
• Warm Vanilla (cream tube)
• Coconut Crush (solid stick)
• Unscented (solid stick)

My first reaction to Lume deodorant was that they were mostly pleasant; they had that faint “baby’s bottom” smell.

I wasn’t too surprised because some of the bad Lume reviews on Reddit, Amazon, and other sites also mentioned this:

“Smells like a moldy wet hay field.”

“It’s like orange/vanilla/Lilly that’s been stuffed in someone’s musty buttcrack.”

“Smells like poo.”

Those reviews are a clear minority, though, and Lume interacts differently for different people (and based on usage… remember, apply right after showering!). So I soldiered on and continued to try out each deodorant.

For me, there were no negative Lume side effects and no terrible smell of sour milk. While some scents were more potent than others, they all smelled different when applied. Although I was initially disappointed with the ‘baby’s bottom’ fragrance, that smell went away after ten minutes.

I ended up impressed with Lume’s ability to prevent odor. I found that when I used Lume, my clothing–from shirts to undergarments–maintained a ‘fresh from the laundry’ smell, even after a full day’s wear.

When I dug a little deeper, I discovered that Lume achieves odor control by using ingredients that prevent bacterial growth. So, it’s stopping odor rather than simply masking it.

Lume doesn’t help much with chafing, though. That’s because Lume doesn’t contain aluminum like traditional antiperspirants. As such, it can’t prevent sweat (and sweat is what causes chafing). Ingredients like tapioca starch, however, help with absorbing sweat.

Lume still reduces skin irritation because it moisturizes and hydrates skin. The formula is creamy and conditioning, so it does provide a bit of a barrier that at least delays a severe chafe.

So although there are negative Lume reviews like the above, the majority (including mine) are positive. Lume really does show that the doctor knows best, which is why there are tons of reviews that say things like this:

“OMG! It Works! Not only NO BO AT ALL after 10 hrs of Sweating but I have no ODOR AT ALL!”

“I have keratosis on my arms. Nothing has worked… Decided to try this and I’m not going back to anything else. Not only are the bumps disappearing, but my elbows aren’t dry for the first time in forever.”

“I love the cream! I use the unscented. It still smells kind of weird while it’s drying, but there’s no scent once dried. It works like a charm anywhere you put it!”

In 2023, Lume made a lot of changes. They discontinued some of the scents I reviewed in 2022 and updated their formula to address those negative reviews about its smell.

For my third bundle of Lume’s up-to-date 2023 fragrances in their new formula, I tried the following scents:

• Lavender Sage (cream tube)
• Clean Tangerine (solid stick)
• Toasted Coconut (cream stick)
• Peony Rose (cream stick)
• Minted Cucumber (solid stick)
• Fresh Alpine (solid stick)
• Soft Powder (solid stick)
• Unscented (solid stick)
• Cool Cucumber (deodorizing wipes)

Based on my FOFAL criteria, this is my conclusion of how the new Lume formula stacks up:

• Fragrance (15%): The new formula no longer has that diaper cream smell! Huzzah! The new Lume deodorants smell much more similar to standard drug store deodorants. I still think the fragrances could be slightly better. Check out the table below for my rankings, brief thoughts on each scent, or my in-depth article on Lume scents for even more information.

• Odor control (50%): While many natural deodorants I’ve tried are essentially just scented lotions with baking soda, Lume achieves excellent odor control at a chemical level. In the past, Lume worked so well at preventing BO! Their marketing says the new formula is clinically tested to control odor for up to 72 hours. I found that it still works reasonably well but is perhaps slightly less effective than the previous formula.

• Functionality (10%): The solid stick deodorant is great for applying directly onto my skin. The cream stick may dry up and crust, so then you have to deal with that. Mixed score for this one.

• Antiperspirant abilities (5%): Lume contains tapioca starch which helps absorb sweat, but Lume doesn’t really act as an antiperspirant nor advertise itself to do so. So it doesn’t get many points here, but I only weighted this at 5% because that’s not what it’s for.

• Longevity (20%): The price is steep, but Lume works for a long time. In terms of how much product is in each package, I’d say Lume is a little on the stingy side. I used my Tangerine solid stick daily for about two months, which pretty much obliterated it. Based on my research, you should expect a solid stick of standard deodorant to last about 3-4 months with daily use.

Overall, I’d recommend that you try Lume if you’re looking for a solution that your current deodorant doesn’t solve.

I also want to add here, given my recommendation, a little about why you can trust me and this review.

I’m a person, not AI, and Lume did not send me anything or offer any incentives. I don’t even know if they’re aware of me. I bought their products to test out on my own, and a positive review was not guaranteed.

That said, we do get a small commission if you click through our links (at no added cost to you!), so please don’t be shy about using any of the buttons below if you’ve appreciated this review.

Pros & Cons of Lume Deodorant Products: What to Consider

Pros

• Effectively prevents odor – Lume does what it claims to do. If you apply it straight out of the shower, this stuff kills BO and keeps you odor-free all day. Yes, the new formula isn’t quite as effective, but it still does the job, and it smells better.

• Naturally derived ingredients – Lume contains no aluminum, baking soda, phthalates, sulfates, parabens, or talc. As of the latest formulation in 2023, the fragrances are no longer all-natural, but they are still skin-safe, cruelty-free, and environmentally friendly.

• Lume prevents chafing better than natural deodorants – While Lume isn’t as long-lasting as an antiperspirant in this regard, it does a meaningful job of preventing stinging, chafed skin on hot summer days.

• It lasts a long time – I’m not referring to how long Lume lasts on your body, although it should prevent odor for up to 72 hours. The product itself lasts quite a while.

Cons

• The fragrances are underwhelming – While most of Lume’s fragrances are pleasant enough and no longer have that baby’s bottom scent, there still isn’t a fragrance that I truly adore. The fragrance choices remain a little lacking as well.

• Although the formula no longer has an off-putting initial odor, it’s also a little less effective. In practice, that means that sometimes– on especially sweaty days– I’ve noticed I smell a little–well–sweaty. So, with the improved fragrance, there is a trade-off.

• It’s expensive – One stick of Lume–cream or solid–is $15. The previous deodorants I’ve used run between $5 and $8 from the drugstore, so this seems a bit steep for deodorant.

Lume Scents Ranked: My Picks for the Best Lume Deodorant Scents

Lume Return & Exchange Policy

Lume offers returns for up to 60 days. You’ll need to send in a request with your order number and email address, and it could take up to 10 days to process the request.

Refunds don’t include shipping and they’ll issue it to your original payment method. They don’t offer exchanges.

Lume Discounts & Coupons

There are a lot of discount codes out there. We’ve tried a bunch and the best one we found was COMEBACK15 as of October 16, 2023. That took the price of their deodorant down from $14.99 to $12.74.

Some bundles on their site are currently marked down by up to 33%, but it’s unclear if these are temporary sales or permanent prices made to look like discounts. Either way, those are good deals for this product.

Lume also always offers free shipping on orders over $25.

Where to Buy Lume Deodorant

Lume is available on the Lume website for $14.99. You can also buy Lume on Amazon, Walmart, and Target.

Lume Deodorant Subscription

If you subscribe to Lume, you can have the deodorant delivered every one, two, or three months and save 15% off the cost.

Be aware though that discount codes don’t appear to work on subscription orders, so that essentially cancels out the savings. Personally, I’d recommend ordering individually and coming back to this article and clicking through our links each and every time 😉

FAQs About Lume Deodorant

Does Lume really work for body odor?

Yes, Lume works well for preventing body odor. According to Dr. Andrea Suarez, a dermatologist with twelve years of experience and a skincare expert, the mandelic acid in Lume helps prevent the growth of odor-causing bacteria.

Suarez, who also has a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, explains, “by lowering the pH of your skin… it may help facilitate the colonization of skin micro-flora that is less likely to lead to body odor.”

I’ll note that, anecdotally, I found the new formula slightly less effective than the old one. I noticed this, especially with the Tangerine scent, so it may just be how the fragrance mingles with my body’s chemistry.

For more details on the science behind it, check out Dr. Suarez’s (aka Dr. Dray) very helpful video below.

Does Lume Prevent Sweat?

Lume does not prevent sweat. It provides excellent body odor control and can absorb some sweat, but Lume is a deodorant, not an antiperspirant.

Is Lume Deodorant okay to use? Is it safe?

Lume is safe to use thanks to an aluminum-free formula full of gentle, naturally derived ingredients. Lume contains some synthetic ingredients, but those have been shown to be skin-safe.

Lume should be gentle even for sensitive skin, although it’s always a good idea to test products out on a small patch of your skin first.

Why Does Lume Smell So Bad for Some People? Where does that stinky smell come from?

The most vital ingredient in Lume deodorant is mandelic acid, which helps lower your body’s pH to control odor-causing bacteria.

Some people find the scent of mandelic acid to be especially pungent, even saying that it smells like “urea” or a “stinky butt.” Still, it’s not an issue for most people and (based on personal experience and others’ reviews) it goes away quickly.

The new formula has toned down the smell of mandelic acid, so it’s less noticeable now.

Should you use Lume every day?

Lume promises to last for up to 72 hours. I shower daily, so I apply it after I shower.

I can’t find any evidence of Lume deodorant side effects, either in my research or firsthand experience, so using it every day shouldn’t hurt.

How much Lume Deodorant should I use?

A little goes a long way! A pea-sized amount for each armpit or one swipe of a solid stick should have you covered.

How long does the same Lume Deodorant stick last? How about the cream?

According to Lume, a stick should last 110 applications, while a tube should last 150 applications. Depending on how often you use it, that could be pretty long!

In my own experience, the solid stick ran out after about two months, so I’m a little skeptical that it lasted 110 applications.

Does Lume Deodorant stain your clothes?

Lume doesn’t have a white residue (if you use the right amount and rub it in all the way), and it doesn’t stain your clothes at all.

Why is Lume so popular? What’s so damn good about it?

Lume is unique in two ways. The first thing that sets it apart from other natural deodorants is that it doesn’t use baking soda, and, well– it actually works.

Second, most deodorants market themselves for armpits and don’t discuss the other body parts you might want to deodorize.

It turns out deodorant for private parts is something a lot of people want but perhaps are afraid to ask for.

Does Lume actually work for private parts?

Yes, Lume deodorant works well for private parts and was even invented by a gynecologist, Dr. Shannon Klingman.

With that said, it’s not for internal use, and it isn’t like a douche that will strip away your body’s natural microbiome.

You should also be aware that many dermatologists recommend only using water to clean private parts.

That’s because “the skin there is very delicate” and “sensitive to product,” according to Dr. Suarez, whose video analysis we mentioned above.

How do you apply Lume to lady parts?

The cream formula is what you should use for “full-body” application, while the solid stick is primarily for underarms.

Working from front to back, you can apply the cream formula to all external privates (including your butt crack!).

Don’t apply from the back to the front (UTIs are hell on earth), and there’s no need to “reach deep inside yourself.”

Can Lume Wipes be used on private parts?

Yes – Lume deodorant wipes contain the same formula as their deodorant so you can use them on your pits, privates, feet, or anywhere in between to freshen up when you’re on the go.

The Lume body wipe is $15.99 and only available in a scent called “Cool Cucumber,” a fragrance not available for the cream and stick deodorants.

And while we’re talking about them, I’d like to take a moment and sing praises for the new Cool Cucumber deodorizing wipes.

In the past, I’d buy facial cleansing wipes for travel and sometimes use them on my armpits as a way to freshen up– for example, after a long flight. The only problem was, however, that those wipes weren’t really meant for that purpose.

Lume’s wipes contain the same acidified formula as the deodorant, so they’ll actually freshen you up. What an awesome invention!

On top of that, the Cool Cucumber fragrance is one of the most subtle and natural-smelling scents that Lume offers. It smells like pure cucumber juice, which gives them a luxurious, spa-like feeling.

Can I use Lume under my breasts?

Absolutely!

Does Lume Deodorant work for feet?

Yes! Lume works to control odor anywhere it might arise, including your feet.

However, due to the specific glands in the feet, foot odor is better dealt with by aluminum-based antiperpirants or moisture removal. An absorbent powder like Zeasol is ideal if you’re looking to target that issue.

But for everyday foot odor, using Lume should still help.

Who can use Lume?

Anyone! Lume works for women and men, kids, teens going through puberty, old people who might be dealing with “old people” smell, and anyone else. Just humans, though!

Though—they’re cruelty-free and didn’t test it on animals, so I can’t say for sure.

So, Does Lume Deodorant Actually Work? Is it Worth it to Try Lume?

Overall Rating: 7/10

The time has come to make the ultimate verdict for this Lume review. Is Lume deodorant worth it? Should you buy it?

Does it actually work? The short answer is yes–this is, overall, a positive review.

Lume does what it claims to do. It stops body odor at the source without artificial or harmful ingredients.

Plus, it’s safe for delicate areas and sensitive skin.

Lume is a bit expensive when you compare it to regular deodorant. But when you look at the price compared to natural deodorants, it’s pretty comparable.

And considering how long it lasts, the price is relatively reasonable at $14.99 (or $12.74 with the coupon code listed above). That’s better than most natural deodorants, which cost between $10 and 20 dollars per package.

Previously, the formula itself was a bit unpleasant even though it worked great to prevent BO, and none of the fragrances were anything to write home about.

Now, the formula’s off-putting smell is gone, but the product seems to work slightly less effectively in its latest iteration. So there’s a bit of a trade-off.

If you’re like me and love a fragrant aroma, you can supplement Lume with your favorite perfume. Or, opt for the unscented version.

I’m also a big fan of the deodorizing wipes– they’re a great solution for travelers who want to freshen up on the go (or those days when you simply don’t have time to shower.)

While the fragrance issue keeps me from saying that I absolutely love Lume, I believe it works wonders for odor control, so I’ll continue using it.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Elina Ansary

Elina Ansary is a writer, visual artist, and avid traveler. She grew up in San Francisco, CA, and spent her childhood camping up and down Northern California.

Beyond being a travel enthusiast, she’s had a lifelong passion for natural beauty products. As a kid, her idea of fun was making her own face masks from ingredients in her kitchen and backyard.

These days, she considers bubble baths a crucial part of her mental healthcare. Elina visits artist residencies around the world and has lived in Amsterdam, Australia, Brooklyn, and Ithaca, NY.

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