Bromhidrosis or body odor is the smell of bacteria growing on the body. These bacteria multiply considerably in the presence of sweat, but sweat itself is almost totally odorless. Body odor is associated with the hair, feet, crotch (upper medial thigh), anus, skin in general, breasts, armpits, genitals and pubic hair, and mouth. Body odor is specific to the individual, and can be used to identify people, though this is more often done by dogs than by humans. An individual's bodily odor is also influenced by diet, gender, genetics, health, medication, occupation, and mood.

Since body odor may be caused by an underlying condition, a thorough medical exam is recommended along with a blood screen and blood chemistry panel.

Good hygiene practices are important in preventing body odor. These include regular baths or showers; wearing cotton socks and non-synthetic shoes that breathe; changing the socks once or twice daily; and keeping the feet dry and bare as much as possible.

Some foods and spices can aggravate body odor. Onions, garlic, and cumin may cause body odor as they are excreted through the skin. Caffeine and nicotine increase sweating and therefore the risk of body odor.

Lavilin was developed by scientists who grew increasingly concerned about the widespread use in deodorants of alcohol and aluminum salts. In their search for an alternative, they rediscovered Arnica and Calendula - herbal flowers known for centuries to be soothing, healing and anti-bacterial. When it was theorized that these natural extracts combined with additional natural components could dramatically decrease the presence of odor-causing bacteria, a whole new era in deodorant production began.