Lume was founded by experienced OB-GYN Dr. Shannon Klingman, MD. She met many patients with concerns about vaginal odor, who were often prescribed antibiotics to treat presumed infections.

Believing this was frequently unnecessary, Klingman conducted clinical tests to learn more. She discovered that vaginal odor is often caused by an external source, bacteria on the skin digesting bodily fluids, and not internal infections requiring antibiotics.

She also found that this occurs in creases and folds across the body, including the underarms, under breasts, stomach folds, feet, and more.

Over 10 years, Dr. Klingman developed a safe, effective, and affordable solution to this external body odor for her patients. The final result was Lume.

Healthline tester Catherine Conelly tells us about her experience with Lume postpartum:

“After I had my second baby, I experienced crazy night sweats that can come with hormonal shifts postpartum. I would wake up in wet sheets and have to change my pants in the middle of the night.”

“I also found that I was having my daily shower (if I was lucky enough to get one) in the evening after the babies went to sleep, instead of in the mornings. I started putting on deodorant at night to help combat my sweaty sleep. Lume claims to last 72 hours, and I found that it actually worked through the next day and sometimes longer. This was great, knowing I likely would not get a shower the next morning or be able to get ready the way I usually could before baby number two.”

“When I was too tired to shower the next day, this deodorant was still effective. It felt like I could safely skip my shower some nights when I was in a pit of exhaustion and not have to totally sacrifice hygiene. I think I would have been much more stinky without Lume those first few months postpartum. I’m thankful I discovered it many years ago!”

Shelby was surprised by Lume’s long-lasting effects, noting that even when the fragrance faded, she didn’t experience any body odor.

“The first time I used it before a spin/weightlifting workout, I remember thinking, ‘Wow, I don’t smell bad!’ The lavender scent faded, but it still did an amazing job at masking odor. I tend to stress sweat a lot and usually need to reapply deodorant throughout the day, but with Lume, once a day has been more than enough! Whether it’s hot yoga, cycling, running, weightlifting, stressful presentations, or even moving apartments, it’s always impressed me.”

Lume has formulated a range of Plus Sweat Control formula deodorants and body washes that help prevent both body odor and sweat for 72 hours.

Whole body odor control

While Lume began with deodorants, the brand has expanded its product range to include wipes, body washes, solid cleansing bars, and lotions.

This allows you to layer products, ensuring consistent and effective odor control throughout the day.

Layering these complementary products ensures long lasting, whole-body coverage.

Shelby Stanley said, ” I love that there is a full-body routine — not just a stick deodorant.”

Clinically proven to effectively control odor for up to 24 hours, Lume’s extended range is a great complement to its dedicated deodorants.

Our testers were impressed by the effectiveness of Lume’s product range, praising its ability to prevent, rather than mask, body odor, for sometimes days at a time.

Catherine, a long-term subscriber, switched to Lume after it proved more effective than other aluminum-free deodorants. “Lume definitely works better at preventing odor. I’ve turned others on to it as well who agree it’s better than any other natural deodorant they have used.”

Despite also trying many other deodorant brands, Shelby found that none came close to Lume in terms of skin benefits and effectiveness. “I absolutely plan to stick with Lume for years to come! I love it so much that I’ve already ordered it for my friends and family.”

Naomi was similarly won over by Lume. “These products are effective. I will continue with most of them, especially the Solid Deodorant and the Acidified Body Wash, on a daily basis.”

Credentials

All of our testers were fans of Lume’s background as a skin care range founded by an OB-GYN, prioritizing clinically-proven formulas while omitting potentially harmful ingredients like aluminum.

India said, “I like that it’s backed by an OB-GYN with experience, doesn’t have harmful ingredients like parabens, is cruelty-free, and is vegan. I like that Lume is transparent with ingredients on its website. They also offer more instructions about how to use the products, which is helpful. It has instructions on the back that are fairly clear with suggestions of places to use the product.“

Shelby was also pleased with the credentials behind the brand. “What I really like about Lume is that it’s gynecologist-crafted, so I feel confident using it on my sensitive skin. It’s cruelty-free and free of harsh ingredients like aluminum and baking soda, which is exactly what I’ve been looking for.”

Effectiveness

Naomi tested the longevity of Lume’s odor control and was pleased with the results. “For the sake of this test, I actually went 48 hours without a shower and I was surprised that I still smelled good afterward. Definitely not the case with my old deodorants! No staining to my clothing that I could tell, either.”

Catherine, already a subscriber to Lume, has found it to be reliable throughout workouts, summer heat, and busy mom life. “I can wear it through sweaty workouts or a couple of days without showering (mom life; it happens), and I don’t smell. I also live in a really hot summer climate (consistently over 100 degrees in the summer), and it holds up when I’m out and about.”

Price

While all of our team noted the high price point, most agreed that the products’ effectiveness makes them worthwhile. Naomi said, “It’s only a few dollars more than I would normally spend on a natural deodorant. And for those few extra dollars, I have the peace of mind that I can really count on it to work.”

Both Shelby and Catherine echoed this, noting, “For an antiperspirant that actually works and is free from harmful ingredients, it is totally worth it.”

Customers can subscribe for a discount, and various bundle offers are available.