We're dermatologists - here's the truth about full-body deodorants and whether it's REALLY safe to use them on your boobs and groin

Deodorant is a common staple in many people's hygiene line-ups - but after all these years the product is now venturing out beyond the armpits to conquer a whole new frontier: your entire body.

In the past few months, the beauty market has been flooded with a slew of new 'full-body' deodorants, with every major hygiene brand throwing their own offerings into the fray, from Dove and Ban to Secret and Native. 

While each company has attempted to put their own spin on the product - with some offering sticks while other have opted for creams - the overall concept remains much the same.

Each formula is aimed at offering sweat and odor protection on all parts of the body, even the most intimate, from the breasts to the groin, with Ban going as far as to release specific products aimed at both the underboob region and the 'private parts'.

With so much more territory to cover, the price of these products can often be higher than that of a regular underarm deodorant, too. A regular stick of Secret will cost you a little under $8, while their whole-body deodorant will set you back $11.97.

All-body deodorant is a fairly new product touted by many brands such as Lume, Native, Ban, Hume and even cult-classic Ban

The product is meant to go onto the external areas of your body that also produce sweat, like the feet, groin, and under the breasts

Similarly, an Old Spice underarm deodorant stick is priced at around $7.50, while their whole-body product comes in at $12.99.

While Ban's underarm anti-perspirant retails for around $5.49, the 'private parts' deodorizing lotion is priced at $9.99.  

While these brands are promoting the product in fun scents like tangerine and coconut vanilla, along with slogans that claim it 'applies like a dream,' is it really all necessary? 

According to dermatologists, it's most likely harmless, but not always needed.

It's important to note that it has a different function than a regular underarm deodorant as well.

'Whole body deodorants work to reduce body odor, but not sweat,' Mississippi-based dermatologist Dr. Lindsey Zubritsky told DailyMail.com.

She said that there is a difference between antiperspirants - the category that many all body deodorants fall into - and deodorants.

'Antiperspirants contain active ingredients like aluminum salts that reduce sweating while deodorants contain ingredients that reduce odor without stopping sweat,' Dr. Zubritsky, who is also known as @dermguru online, explained.

'Typically, deodorants (particularly whole body deodorants) contain active ingredients that reduce the odor-causing bacteria on the skin thus neutralizing body odor, like alpha-hydroxy acids, alcohol, or piroctone olamine,' she added. 

FEMAIL spoke with expert, board-certified dermatologists Dr. Lindsey Zubritsky (left) and Dr. Margarita Lolis (right) for their thoughts on whether or not it's a necessary product  

'These ingredients work by either directly acting on the microbe or lower or raising the pH of the skin to make it inhospitable for bacteria to live and thrive.'

The dermatologist said that if body odor is causing you to be extremely self-conscious, it's okay to give all-body deodorant a shot. 

Most brands also make it in a cream or spray form, too.  

'They can make a difference in the right person, but it's not absolutely necessary,' Dr. Zubritsky explained to DailyMail.com.

However, if you're in the market for an all-body deo, you should be looking out for ones that contain clean ingredients.

'Generally, these deodorants are free of aluminum, parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances,' New Jersey-based dermatologist Dr. Margarita Lolis of Skin Laser and Surgery Specialists told DailyMail.com.

'Many individuals prefer to avoid these ingredients because of health concerns as well as skin sensitivities,' she explained.

But before you put the new product all over your body, Dr. Zubritsky recommends doing something called a patch test first.

If you're in the market for an all-body deo, you should be looking out for ones that contain clean ingredients (stock image)

A patch test entails putting a small amount on the skin, such as your inner arm, and seeing how the body reacts. 

The dermatologist also suggested trying one that is fragrance-free, and to not put it on the entire body - just the places that have been studied, like the groin and feet. 

'There are several on the market that are fragrance-free and contain hydrating ingredients that shouldn't lead to irritation,' she told DailyMail.com.

'I would avoid if you have any open areas of skin or if you have certain skin conditions like hidradenitis suppurativa.'

This also goes for those who have conditions like allergic contact dermatitis or eczema.

And, if your body odor is still persisting or causing significant problems for you even after trying an all-body deodorant, Dr. Zubritsky advised to see a board-certified dermatologist for a checkup.