As one of the first brands to offer innovative products made with natural ingredients to care for natural hair, SheaMoisture has established itself as a trailblazer in the beauty industry. Today, it builds on its legacy of groundbreaking achievements with the introduction of a revolutionary deodorant range. The collection consists of six antiperspirant stick deodorants for the underarms and two plant-based options for the whole body—each tailored for rich melanin skin and approved by Black dermatologists/and or gynecologists.
The new products transcend conventional sweat and odor protection, addressing prevalent skin issues for people of color. “We know biologically, melanin-rich skin on the Fitzpatrick Scale is more prone to dryness, discoloration, and rough, bumpy patches,” says Dawn Williams-Thompson, Head of NA Personal Care Design for Retail and Local Brand Development at Unilever. “We added in skin benefits to moisturize dry areas, even tone and smooth skin which address critical needs of rich melanin skin.”
According to board-certified gynecologist Kameelah Phillips, the Even Tone antiperspirant, with vitamin C and niacinamide, addresses uneven tone under the arms. The Soothing Post-Shave antiperspirant, enriched with vitamin E, is recommended for those with post-shave irritation. And the Smoothing antiperspirant, featuring Manuka honey and retinol, targets bumpy patches, a common skin concern.
“I think the nice thing about this line is that there’s not just one product,” says board-certified dermatologist Tiffany Clay Ramsey. “It encompasses a wide variety [that meets various needs]. This includes Whole Body Deodorants designed for use in intertriginous zones—anywhere skin touches the skin.” These areas include the breast, between the hip and thigh, and the abdomen.
The Whole Body Gel Cream incorporates cornstarch, providing odor protection and moisture retention, whereas The Whole Body Invisible Stick, formulated with arrowroot powder, aids in moisture absorption. And both products feature a pleasant fragrance of Coconut & Hibiscus, enhancing their deodorizing effect.
SheaMoisture’s first-ever deodorant range for rich melanin skin will be available starting February 2024 at various retailers and retail for $10.