Everyone Has the Right to Sweat Profusely

ads, business, Fitness, health related issues, lessons learned, social justice, sports 1 Minute

Many of us love the feeling of a good workout.

Sweat is often a by-product of such a workout, followed by a shower, slapping on some deodorant, getting dressed, and then continuing on with our day.

Most of us likely take all the above for granted, but for some, such activities can be a real struggle.

Enter Degree Deodorant.

Earlier this year, the company made history by announcing the launch of Degree Inclusive, the world’s first deodorant designed specifically for people with disabilities. The product—which is still in its prototype phase but will be hitting the market soon—features a hooked design for one-handed usage and magnetic closures on the cap that are easier to handle if you have a limited grip or a vision impairment. There’s also a braille label and instructions as well as an enhanced grip placement, and it features a larger roll-on applicator to cover more surface area per swipe.

Degree Inclusive, however, falls under Unilever’s new Positive Beauty vision and strategy, which focuses on being planet and people-positive. Initiatives under this include banning the word “normal” on packaging and doing away with Photoshop on images.

“Our goal is to improve the health, confidence, and well-being of more than a billion people around the world by 2030, and more importantly drive and champion for inclusivity in the whole beauty and self-care industry,” says Eggleston Bracey, EVP and COO of beauty and personal care at Unilever, Degree’s parent company.

And that includes expanding its investment in the disabled community. Notes Eggleston Bracey, “Making sure we are serving the underserved, and those with disabilities are often part of that group, is a commitment. This is just the beginning.”

Three cheers for Degree and Unilever for developing a product that is targeted at a demographic that is often ignored by marketers.

I wish them, and their customers, the best.

source: Glamour

Published by Jim Borden

A 60-something guy trying to figure out the world, and his place in it. Happily married for 40-plus years, three wonderful sons. Accounting teacher, fitness enthusiast, blogger, reader.

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37 thoughts on “Everyone Has the Right to Sweat Profusely”

  1. Personally, I don’t agree with antiperspirants, it defeats the body’s natural abilities. As for deoderant, again – eat the right foods and the ‘stink’ would be a non issue.
    It’d be great if the product works for the ‘issues’ at hand without causing other issues. Everything my wife tries causes her to breakout.

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    1. I know there are many people who do no believe in deodorants, or try to use them as sparingly as possible. But for those who would like to use them, it’s nice to see a company focusing on a demographic that could have some difficulty with tradditional designs…

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  3. It will be interesting to see if or when other companies follow their marketing strategy. Dove did a positive body image campaign several years ago that was very successful. They still use realistic looking people with various body shapes in their advertising although I don’t think they included disabled people and I know they didn’t change their packaging.

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    1. I think people with disabilities is often an overlooked group when companies start to talk about diversity and inclusion. So it is a ncie to see a major company addressing such an issue…

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  6. My first impression was skepticism, as it might just be a ploy to make money, but the commercial is tastefully done and serves a community that is often ignored. I’m giving them the benefit of the doubt that they are trying to do something good besides just making money.

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  8. This is neat. About a month ago, I wrenched my right shoulder falling off my bike. I couldn’t reach my left armpit to put on deodorant. I began to wonder how people missing arms or with limited mobility use the stuff. I applaud them. I might even consider switching to their product, but I use the ‘natural’ stuff.

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  9. Great initiative and it looks like they may be doing this for the right reasons. Giant companies such as Unilever don’t always have great motivation other than making more money, but this may come under their community engagement scheme. Whatever the reason is, this seems to be helping people so good on them!

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  10. It’s a great concept. No doubt there is a profit motive at work, but that’s not necessarily bad. A problem Degree Inclusive will run into is the diversity of the differently abled community. One product and packaging change will still leave many out in the cold. I like the other parts of the campaign.

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  12. A great idea, though the cynic in me isn’t convinced this is entirely altruistic. But if it encourages their competitors to follow their lead that has to be a good thing.

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