Lume Deodorant Review: Is it worth the hype?
Today we’re talking all about Lume deodorant in this unsponsored review. If you’ve wondered if Lume works or if you’re on the hunt for a great aluminum-free deodorant, this is for you. I purchased these products on my own and this post is not sponsored by Lume. This post may contain affiliate links. You might also be interested in the Lume Vs Native 2 week test results.
The search for the best deodorant
About a decade ago I saw a recommendation for the world’s best deodorant on someone’s personal blog. I had run out of my Dove stick deodorant and was looking for a replacement. I clicked the link and BALKED at the price point ($32 for a stick of deodorant). It had cashmere in the name and was sold by a brand that also sold perfume.
I repurchased my Dove in the Cucumber Melon scent.
Fast forward five years and I’d come across the same recommendation for what online influencers claimed was the best deodorant. Again, that same $32 stick.
A few things aligned:
- I’d just had my third baby and the postpartum hormones mean that you sweat more (or is it just me?)
- The $32 stick was included in the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale (and having just had a baby I wasn’t in the market for any clothes)
- In those five years our finances had changed a bit so while $32 seemed absurd for a stick of deodorant, it was no longer more than half my grocery budget for the week or more than we spent most times we ate out.
So I ordered one (well, three of them actually because they were in a bundle set as part of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale).
And you know what, they are amazing. Hands down, by far, the best deodorant I had ever used….
….until last month.
The particular Donna Karen deodorant I’d been using for the last few years is trickier and trickier to order (supply chain issues? selling out? are they discontinuing it? Who knows).
So I’ve gone back to my Dove stick from time to time (and am always a tiny bit disappointed).
Could I find something as good as the $32 Donna Karen stick that would stay in stock and NOT cost the same as my family’s order at Chick-fil-A?
Enter Lume Deodorant.
A friend back on the East Coast recommended it and I was intrigued. The mix of products was new (full body cream deodorant? what?) and the price point suggested it was better than your average deodorant but still half the price of my beloved DK.
I placed my order and decided to see how it held up.
What is Lume?
Before we get into the results and my experience, here’s a little more info on Lume.
Lume is a line of personal care products that are designed to help people deal with unpleasant body odor and unwanted hair growth. The company was founded in 2017 by Shannon Klingman, a doctor and scientist who was frustrated with the lack of effective and safe options for managing body odor and hair growth. Klingman set out to create a line of products that would be free of harsh chemicals and irritants, and that would actually work. The result is Lume, a brand that offers a range of products designed to tackle these common issues in a safe and effective way.
Lume is known for being a great natural deodorant and for having deodorant products that can work all over your body. They have a specific formula for private parts (their “for pits and bits”).
How does Lume work?
Lume works by using a combination of natural ingredients to address body odor. The products are formulated to be gentle on the skin, while still being effective. Here are some of the key ways that Lume products work:
- Odor control: Lume’s deodorant and body wipes use a combination of zinc oxide, and other natural ingredients to neutralize odor-causing bacteria. See all the ingredients here.
- Hair growth reduction: Lume’s hair growth inhibitor uses a blend of natural enzymes and inhibitors to slow down hair growth and reduce the appearance of hair.
- Hydration: Lume’s products are formulated to be hydrating and nourishing for the skin, helping to keep it healthy and radiant.
What are the different Lume products available?
Lume offers a range of products designed to tackle various body odor and hair growth issues. Here’s a quick overview of the different products that are available:
- Deodorant: Lume’s deodorant is available in both stick and tube form and comes in a range of scents, including lavender, vanilla, and an unscented option. It’s designed to be gentle on the skin and provide long-lasting odor protection.
- Body Wipes: Lume’s body wipes are perfect for on-the-go odor control. They’re gentle on the skin and can be used all over the body to freshen up and neutralize odor. I love these, especially when traveling.
- Hair Growth Inhibitor: Lume’s hair growth inhibitor is a lotion that’s designed to be applied after hair removal to slow down hair growth and reduce the appearance of hair. Intriguing, right? I haven’t tried this one yet.
- Soap: Lume’s soap is formulated with natural ingredients to help cleanse the skin without stripping it of its natural oils.
- Lotion: Lume’s lotion is designed to be hydrating and nourishing for the skin (but I haven’t tried it yet).
My experience with Lume:
Time for my Lume deodorant review. I’ve been using the products for six months now.
What I ordered:
I initially ordered the starter set and picked different scents. Here’s what I selected:
- 15ct Soft Pack | Deodorant Wipes (Cool Cucumber)
- Unscented | Mini Body Wash
- Peony Rose | Cream Deodorant Tube
- Toasted Coconut | Solid Deodorant Stick
After using the products for a few weeks I ordered another set with just deodorant sticks in different scents.
Mix + Match Stick 3-Pack × 1
- Lavender Sage | Solid Deodorant Stick
- Fresh Alpine | Cream Deodorant Stick
- Unscented | Solid Deodorant Stick
The site gave me the option to add a mystery product to my cart right after I clicked the button to check out. The mystery product was $5 and I clicked yes. It ended up being another pack of the Deodorant Wipes in Cool Cucumber.
Do Lume Products Work:
Yes! From my personal experience over the last six months of using these products, they do work (just not quite as well as they claim to). Here are a few more details:
What I liked about Lume Deodorant:
The actual deodorant is fantastic. It is as good as my Donna Karen $32 stick. I’ve used it before workouts and on my period (when a standard deodorant might fail me) and it works for me.
The packaging advertises 72 hours of freshness which hasn’t been accurate in my experience but it does last all day for me.
The deodorizing wipes are awesome for when you have to head somewhere right after a workout (or a morning when you really just can’t bring yourself to shower). I recently brought these with me on a trip and had about 10 minutes to get ready in my hotel room before a welcome event. I didn’t have time for a full shower so wiping down with one of these was great.
What I don’t like about Lume Deodorant:
What are some of these scents???
I know every scent isn’t for everyone but I would really like to know if there is anyone that loves the Pink Peony scent. I can get behind this floral scent in a perfume but in the cream body deodorant, it smells like florals and body odor (and this is BEFORE you put it on, just smelling the new tube).
I’ve been using and talking about Lume with friends for over a month and have heard a few other rave reviews.
UPDATE: Lume has reformulated some of the scents! The underlying bad smell is GONE in the new formula. I picked up the Clean Tangerine in the new formula from Target last night and it is the best smelling of all the Lume scents I’ve tried. They also reformulated Lavender Sage but I haven’t tried that one yet.
Best Scents from Lume:
I know this comes down to personal preference but here is mine.
- Clean Tangerine (in the new formula).
- Toasted Coconut: I really like this one! My only complaint is it is strong. You do smell like toasted coconut. It doesn’t mix very well with perfume. I’ll keep using this one from time to time but ordered the unscented.
- Unscented: This is the safest and you get the benefits of a great deodorant and don’t smell strongly of anything else.
- Lavender: This one is a solid lavender scent and still quite strong.
- Pink Peony: Skip this one, please (this is coming from someone who likes the peony scent in a candle or body spray). I have only tried this in the cream body deodorant so it might be better in a stick.
- Alpine: This one smells fine. It is a clean, fresh smell. If my husband uses one of mine, this is what he’ll reach for.
Conclusion:
If you’re on the fence about Lume, do it. It is a great product and a reasonable price point. Be wary of the scents and start with the starter bundle to get the best deal. And pick Clean Tangerine for a scent, please.
Lume Deodorant FAQ:
Lume can be purchased directly from their website or from various retailers such as Amazon, Walmart, and Target.
shop Lume’s website here ($14.99 for a stick)
buy Lume on Amazon here ($17.49 for a stick)
order Lume from Target here ($14.99 for a stick)
One of the biggest concerns that people have when it comes to personal care products is safety. After all, you’re applying these products directly to your body. Lume products are designed to be safe and effective for use on the skin. The team behind Lume has formulated their products with natural ingredients like magnesium hydroxide and silver, that work together to neutralize the bacteria that cause body odor. They are also free from potentially harmful ingredients such as aluminum, parabens, and baking soda (that you find in a lot of common deodorants).
Lume deodorant is suitable for both men and women. I use it and my husband is on board with it, too.
Lume has great customer reviews and for me it works effectively at preventing odor. However, individual results may vary depending on factors such as sweat levels and body chemistry.
Lume works by neutralizing the odor-causing bacteria on the skin rather than masking it with fragrances. It is formulated with a patented blend of natural ingredients that create an environment where bacteria cannot thrive.
Lume has a unique scent due to the natural ingredients used in its formulation, such as magnesium hydroxide and silver. The scent may take some getting used to but should dissipate after a few minutes. I’ve only found that the cream deodorant smells bad once you open the container. It doesn’t smell as bad once its on.
Lume is derived from the Latin word “lumen,” meaning light or radiance. The name was chosen to reflect the company’s mission of providing a natural and effective solution for body odor.
No, Lume is not an antiperspirant. It does not contain aluminum, which is the active ingredient in antiperspirants that blocks sweat glands.
Lume may stop working if you have developed a tolerance to the ingredients. I’ve read about this happening to lots of deodorants (which is why I always cycled to one stick of Dove each year when using my beloved Donna Karen stick). It is recommended to switch to a different brand or formulation if this occurs.
If you’re having this problem, try a different deodorant for a month and then come back to Lume.
Yes, Lume deodorant is formulated with natural ingredients and is free from aluminum, parabens, and baking soda. It contains a patented blend of magnesium hydroxide, silver, and essential oils, which work to neutralize odor-causing bacteria on the skin.
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- Curie Deodorant review (hint: I use this one most days instead of Lume now)
Lume Vs Native Pit Test
I tried Lume deodorant in my left armpit and Native deodorant in my right and recorded the results daily for a few weeks. Find out which one is actually better: