Menu

Best Soap for Body Odor: Dermatologist-Backed Washes and Bars

The soaps that actually target body odor, from dermatologist-favorite benzoyl peroxide washes to an everyday antibacterial bar, plus how to use them.

Best Soap for Body Odor buyer’s guide graphic with a bar of soap and bubbles
Buyer’s guide5 products comparedResearch-based

Affiliate disclosure: Best for Deodorant may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page, at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability change. Read our full affiliate disclosure.

Quick answer: The soap dermatologists recommend most for body odor is a benzoyl peroxide wash, like PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash 10%, used on the underarms and left on for 1 to 2 minutes before rinsing. For sensitive or dry skin, choose a 4% version. For an everyday bar, Dial Gold contains the antibacterial ingredient benzalkonium chloride. Whatever you use, follow it with an antiperspirant or deodorant, because soap reduces odor but doesn’t stop sweat.

Sweat itself has almost no smell. Odor happens when bacteria on your skin break down sweat, especially in the underarms. That’s why the soap you use matters: a wash that reduces those bacteria can make your deodorant’s job much easier.

This guide covers the three types of soap that actually target odor, how to use them, and five washes and bars to start with.

Best soaps for body odor at a glance

  • Best overall

    PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash, 10% Benzoyl Peroxide

    Type
    Benzoyl peroxide wash
    Best for
    Strong, stubborn underarm odor
    Check price on Amazon
  • Best for sensitive skin

    PanOxyl Acne Creamy Wash, 4% Benzoyl Peroxide

    Type
    Benzoyl peroxide wash
    Best for
    Dry or easily irritated skin
    Check price on Amazon
  • Best whole-body wash

    CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Wash, 10% Benzoyl Peroxide

    Type
    Benzoyl peroxide wash
    Best for
    Odor plus dryness concerns
    Check price on Amazon
  • Best budget bar

    Dial Gold Antibacterial Deodorant Bar Soap

    Type
    Antibacterial bar
    Best for
    Everyday use, low cost
    Check price on Amazon
  • Best non-medicated wash

    Lume Acidified Body Wash

    Type
    Low-pH body wash
    Best for
    Mild odor, whole-body use
    Check price on Amazon

Active ingredients and claims come from each product’s label or brand page at the time of writing. Formulas change, so check the package you receive.

How we chose these soaps

This is a research-based buyer’s guide. We have not personally tested these products, and we don’t present manufacturer claims as our own results. We built this list around guidance from board-certified dermatologist Dr. Lindsey Zubritsky, quoted by theSkimm, and checked each product’s active ingredient against its label.

A real odor-fighting ingredientEvery pick contains something that targets odor-causing bacteria or skin pH, not just fragrance.
Dermatologist-backed approachBenzoyl peroxide washes are the method dermatologists recommend most for smelly armpits.
Label-checkedWe confirmed each active ingredient and its strength from the product’s label.
Options for every skin typeStrong and gentle washes, a fragrance-free option, and a budget bar.

The best soaps for body odor

Best overall

1. PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash, 10% Benzoyl Peroxide

ActiveBenzoyl peroxide 10%
FormatFoaming wash
Use onFace and body
Label directionsMassage in 1 to 2 minutes, rinse

Dr. Zubritsky calls benzoyl peroxide “ultra-effective for keeping body odor at bay,” and this PanOxyl wash is her own pick. Benzoyl peroxide targets the odor-causing bacteria that live in the underarms, and 10% is the highest strength sold over the counter.

It’s labeled as an acne wash, but many people use it on their underarms and feet to reduce odor. The label says to massage it in for 1 to 2 minutes and start with once a day. It can bleach towels, clothing and hair, so rinse well and use white towels.

Pros
  • Dermatologist’s personal pick
  • Highest OTC benzoyl peroxide strength
  • Also works on feet
Cons
  • Bleaches dyed fabric and hair
  • Can dry or irritate skin

Best for: Strong underarm odor that regular soap doesn’t fix.

Check price on Amazon
Best for sensitive skin

2. PanOxyl Acne Creamy Wash, 4% Benzoyl Peroxide

ActiveBenzoyl peroxide 4%
FormatCreamy wash
Best skin typeDry or sensitive
Suggested byDr. Zubritsky, for sensitive skin

If 10% feels too strong, Dr. Zubritsky suggests this gentler 4% creamy wash for sensitive or dry skin. It uses the same odor-fighting ingredient at a lower strength, in a creamier formula.

A lower strength usually means less dryness and peeling, so it’s a good starting point if you’ve never used benzoyl peroxide. You can move up to 10% later if you need more help. It still bleaches fabric, so the same towel rule applies.

Pros
  • Gentler starting strength
  • Dermatologist-suggested for sensitive skin
  • Creamy, less drying texture
Cons
  • Still bleaches fabric
  • May not be strong enough for heavy odor

Best for: First-time users and sensitive skin.

Check price on Amazon
Best whole-body wash

3. CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Wash, 10% Benzoyl Peroxide

ActiveBenzoyl peroxide 10%
Also contains3 ceramides, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide
FragranceFragrance-free
Size5 fl oz

CeraVe’s wash matches PanOxyl’s 10% strength but adds three ceramides, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, ingredients that help support the skin barrier. That makes it a good fit if full-strength benzoyl peroxide tends to leave your skin tight or dry.

CeraVe labels it for both face and body, and it’s fragrance-free. Like any benzoyl peroxide product, keep it away from dark towels and clothing.

Pros
  • Full 10% strength
  • Barrier-supporting ingredients
  • Fragrance-free
Cons
  • Can still dry skin at first
  • Bleaches dyed fabric

Best for: Strong odor fighting with less dryness.

Check price on Amazon
Best budget bar

4. Dial Gold Antibacterial Deodorant Bar Soap

ActiveBenzalkonium chloride 0.1%
FormatBar soap
FragranceScented
Use onBody

If you’d rather use a regular bar, Dial Gold is the classic antibacterial deodorant soap. Its Drug Facts label lists benzalkonium chloride 0.1% as the antibacterial active. It’s inexpensive, easy to find, and doesn’t bleach fabric.

One thing to know: the FDA says there isn’t evidence that antibacterial soaps work better than plain soap and water for preventing illness. For odor, Dial is a reasonable everyday bar, but dermatologists more often point to benzoyl peroxide for stubborn smells. Check that the bar you buy lists benzalkonium chloride under Drug Facts.

Pros
  • Low cost, sold everywhere
  • Won’t bleach towels
  • Simple everyday bar
Cons
  • Fragranced
  • Less dermatologist backing than benzoyl peroxide

Best for: Mild to moderate odor on a budget.

Check price on Amazon
Best non-medicated wash

5. Lume Acidified Body Wash

Key ingredientMandelic acid (low pH)
Stated protection24 hours
Made withoutSLS, SLES, parabens, phthalates
Size8.5 fl oz

Lume takes a different approach. Instead of an antibacterial drug, its “acidified” formula keeps skin at a lower pH, and the scented versions list mandelic acid. Lume says it controls odor for 24 hours, which is the brand’s claim rather than something we’ve tested.

It’s the gentlest option here and won’t bleach fabric, so it’s a good choice if you want an odor-focused wash for your whole body. The scented versions contain fragrance, so if your skin is sensitive, patch test first.

Pros
  • Non-medicated, gentle
  • Whole-body use
  • Won’t bleach fabric
Cons
  • Premium price
  • Scented versions contain fragrance

Best for: Mild odor and people who want to avoid medicated washes.

Check price on Amazon

Which type of soap works best for body odor?

Most “deodorant soaps” are just soap plus fragrance. These are the ingredients that actually target odor:

Benzoyl peroxide washesThe strongest option and the one dermatologists recommend most. Sold as 4% to 10% acne washes. Bleaches fabric.
Antibacterial barsUsually contain benzalkonium chloride. Cheap and convenient, with less evidence behind them.
Acid or low-pH washesUse acids like mandelic acid to make skin less friendly to odor bacteria. The gentlest option.
Regular soapStill helps by washing away sweat and bacteria, especially if you wash your underarms well every day.

How to use a body odor wash

Infographic on using a body odor wash: three soap types that target odor (benzoyl peroxide, antibacterial bar, acid wash), a four-step shower routine, tips to avoid irritation, and when to talk to a doctor.
Leave the wash on for 1 to 2 minutes, rinse well, then apply antiperspirant to dry skin.
  1. Wet and lather. Apply the wash to your underarms. You can use it on your feet too.
  2. Leave it on for 1 to 2 minutes. The PanOxyl label says to massage it in for 1 to 2 minutes. Give it time to work before you rinse.
  3. Rinse well and pat dry. Benzoyl peroxide bleaches dyed fabric and hair, so use white towels and let your skin dry fully.
  4. Apply antiperspirant or deodorant. Soap reduces odor but doesn’t stop sweat. If you sweat heavily, see our best antiperspirants for heavy sweating.

Tips to avoid irritation

  • Start once a day. The PanOxyl label suggests one use a day, cutting back if your skin gets dry or peels.
  • Skip freshly shaved skin. It’s more likely to sting. Moisturize if your underarms feel dry.
  • Use sunscreen on exposed areas. The label says to avoid unnecessary sun exposure after use.

If your deodorant still isn’t keeping up after you change soaps, our guide to why your deodorant stopped working covers other common causes.

Talk to a doctor

  • If redness, burning, itching or swelling becomes severe. Stop using the product first.
  • If your body odor changes suddenly or smells unusual, since some medical conditions and medications can change body odor.
  • If odor doesn’t improve with better washing and an antiperspirant.

Frequently asked questions

What soap do dermatologists recommend for body odor?
Dermatologists most often recommend a benzoyl peroxide wash, such as PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash 10%. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Lindsey Zubritsky calls benzoyl peroxide “ultra-effective” for body odor because it targets the bacteria in the underarms that cause it. A 4% wash is a gentler choice for sensitive or dry skin.
Does antibacterial soap help with body odor?
It can. Body odor comes from bacteria breaking down sweat, so reducing those bacteria helps. Antibacterial bars like Dial Gold use benzalkonium chloride. However, the FDA says there isn’t evidence that antibacterial soaps work better than plain soap for preventing illness, and dermatologists more often recommend benzoyl peroxide washes for stubborn odor.
Can I use acne wash on my armpits?
Many people use benzoyl peroxide acne washes on their underarms to reduce odor, and dermatologists recommend it. Massage it in for 1 to 2 minutes, rinse well, and start once a day. Avoid freshly shaved skin, keep it away from dyed fabric and hair, and stop if irritation becomes severe.
Does benzoyl peroxide bleach towels?
Yes. Benzoyl peroxide labels warn that it can bleach hair and dyed fabrics. Rinse thoroughly, use white towels, and let it dry fully before putting on dark clothing.
Does Hibiclens work for body odor?
Some people use Hibiclens, a 4% chlorhexidine antiseptic, on their underarms for odor, but it isn’t labeled for that use. Its label warns that it may cause a severe allergic reaction and says not to use it in the genital area or let it get into the eyes, ears or mouth. Ask a pharmacist or doctor before using it this way.
Do I still need deodorant if I use a body odor soap?
Usually, yes. Soap reduces odor-causing bacteria, but it doesn’t stop sweat or keep working all day the way deodorant does. Most people get the best results by washing with an odor-fighting soap and then applying an antiperspirant or deodorant to dry skin.

Our final recommendation

Start with PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash 10% on your underarms once a day, and switch to the 4% Creamy Wash if your skin gets dry. If you’d rather not deal with bleached towels, Dial Gold or Lume Acidified Body Wash are easier everyday options. Then finish with an antiperspirant or deodorant on dry skin.

Why your deodorant stopped working Best antiperspirant for heavy sweating Best deodorant for sensitive skin

This guide is educational and is not medical advice. It does not replace guidance from your healthcare provider. Product details were checked against labels and brand pages at the time of writing. Sources: theSkimm, dermatologist guidance on benzoyl peroxide for body odor; PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash label; Dial Gold Drug Facts; FDA, “Antibacterial Soap? You Can Skip It”; Hibiclens label.

Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *