How to Choose a Soap for Body Odor

The soap aisle is full of promises about odor. What makes a difference is simpler: the right kind of cleansing, used the right way. Here is what to look for, and when to look beyond soap.

Know what you are washing away

Two kinds of odor matter most:

• Sweat odor from the underarms, groin and feet. As James and colleagues explain, bacteria such as Corynebacterium turn odorless secretions into strong-smelling compounds.
• Skin oil odor, which becomes more noticeable from around 40. Shiseido researchers linked it to 2-nonenal, a compound with a greasy, grassy smell that tends to settle on the nape, chest, back and pillowcases. See What Is 2-Nonenal?

Both come down to the same thing: sweat and oil that stay on the skin long enough to be broken down.

Do you need antibacterial soap?

Usually not. The US Food and Drug Administration found no evidence that consumer antibacterial soaps are any better than plain soap and water, and in 2016 it ruled that 19 active ingredients, including triclosan and triclocarban, could no longer be marketed in consumer antiseptic washes. For everyday odor, washing well with a regular soap is the place to start.

Technique, deodorant and fabric choice matter as much as the soap itself.

What to look for

Gentle, thorough cleansing

You want a cleanser that lifts oil and sweat without leaving your skin tight or irritated. Healthy skin is slightly acidic, at around pH 4.7 according to Lambers and colleagues, and Ananthapadmanabhan and colleagues describe how milder cleansers aim to leave more of the skin barrier intact. Washing until your skin feels squeaky does not make you smell fresher for longer.

Moisturizing ingredients

Glycerin, hyaluronic acid and shea butter help skin hold on to moisture. That matters more with age, as skin tends to get drier and you may be washing the same areas every day.

A scent that suits you

Heavy fragrance can mask odor for a while, and fragrance is also a frequent cause of skin allergy. In a 2020 review, de Groot estimated that up to 4.5 in every 100 adults may be allergic to fragrance ingredients. If your skin reacts easily, choose a light scent and read the ingredient list.

Plant polyphenols

Green tea catechins and persimmon tannins are polyphenols that have been studied for how they interact with odor compounds. In lab tests, Kida and colleagues found tea catechins had a deodorizing effect on some amines and on ammonia, though not on every compound they tested. It is a promising area of research. We explain what it does and does not show in Persimmon Tannins and Green Tea.

A format you will actually use

Bar or body wash, the right choice is the one you use thoroughly every day. See Bar Soap vs. Body Wash.

Technique matters as much as the soap

• Lather the hotspots (underarms, groin, under the breasts, feet and the nape) and give it a moment before rinsing.
• Dry thoroughly, especially skin folds and between the toes.
• Apply deodorant or antiperspirant to clean, completely dry skin.
• Wear breathable fabrics. Callewaert and colleagues found polyester shirts smelled significantly less pleasant and more intense than cotton after exercise.
• Refresh towels and pillowcases often. See How to Keep Lingering Odor Out of Clothes and Bedding.

When to look beyond soap

• Heavy sweating that soaks through clothes or gets in the way of daily life may be hyperhidrosis. The American Academy of Dermatology notes that dermatologists can help.
• A fishy smell in sweat, breath or urine can be a sign of trimethylaminuria, a rare condition worth checking with a doctor.
• A sudden change in odor along with other symptoms deserves a doctor's visit.

Our Persimmon Body Bar brings these points together: persimmon fruit extract and green tea leaf extract in a base of coconut oil, olive oil and shea butter, with glycerin, hyaluronic acid and vitamin E, a soft green tea and citrus scent, and no sulfates or parabens.

No soap is clinically proven to stop body odor, including ours. The Persimmon Body Bar is a cosmetic soap with a 60-day money-back guarantee, so you can decide for yourself.