12 Best Soaps For Body Odor (Natural & Medicated)
Soaps for body odor are not exactly specific, but there are some that work really well to eliminate and prevent body odor.
The aim is to use a soap that will cleanse (and get rid of excess bacteria and fungi), deodorize, and even nourish your skin to keep it healthy.
So in this article, we are going to share with you some of the best soaps, that we have researched and tested, that you can use to tackle your body odor. We divided up this article into 2 sections:
- Medicated Soaps
- Naturally Based Soaps
What is Body Odor?
Check out this really cool video that explains body odor!
Ted-Ed: What Causes Body Odor?
For other great soap recommendations, check this article out: Best Antibacterial Soaps for Armpit Odor & Potential Risks
If you are struggling with pesky yeast infections, check this article out: Using Antifungal Soaps For Private Parts & Yeast Infections
What are Medicated Soaps For Odor
Medicated soaps usually contain antibacterial and antifungal medication like ketoconazole, zinc, tolnaftate, etc. These are OTC medications that have been approved for use in cosmetics like soaps according to FDA safety specifications.
Do not use soaps with medicinal ingredients if you do not trust the manufacturers or if you do not know whether they are safe or approved for use.
I recommend that you always read your ingredient labels and research your ingredients to ensure that the medication used is safe for your skin and that you are not allergic to it or any other ingredient in the product. Research is super quick on the internet these days and will only take a few minutes that are worth it!
Related Article – Best Antibacterial Soaps for Armpit Odor & Potential Risks
The Best Medicated Soaps For Body Odor That We Have Tried
If you prefer the standard bar soaps then:
1- Dove Care & Protect Antibacterial Beauty Bar
This bar soap is great if you have very sensitive skin and if you struggle with mild body odor.
- It has tons of moisturizing ingredients
- It also contains a low concentration of Benzalkonium Chloride, which is antibacterial.
- It gently cleanses the skin without making it too dry or irritated.
However, if you produce excess body odor, this will not be strong enough for you. It has a mild scent that is not overpowering. However, when used with your antiperspirant and deodorant, the combination works well.
When I tried it produced a noticeable freshness that lasted quite a few hours after showering but note I am not an excessive sweater
You can Click here to get the Dove Care & Protect Antibacterial Beauty Bar on Amazon.
Or click here to read my full review of it.
2- Dial Gold Antibacterial Deodorant Bar Soap
A slightly stronger option to the Dove soap is the Dial Gold soap. This one is also great for people with sensitive skin who produce mild to moderate body odor.
The active ingredient is Benzalkonium Chloride 0.1% (a bit more than what’s in the Dove soap). So it cleans the skin even better but does not make it too dry.
It will help to get rid of odor on the skin and bacteria after a long day but you may need to use it for a few days before the effect truly sticks and lasts. It does extend the life of your deodorant products, though so that’s great!
I especially like it because of how well it works for sensitive skin.
You can Click here to check out the Dial Gold Antibacterial Deodorant Bar Soap on Amazon.
You can also read my full review here – Dial Gold Antibacterial Soap – Benefits & Side Effects
3- Dettol Original Antibacterial Bar Soap
Of all the bar soaps we tried, this one was the most effective against bacteria and odor. Dettol is a traditional name when it comes to soaps. It’s been around forever. Their original soap is my personal favorite because I like the soapy smell and I am sensitive to fragrance additives.
The main active (antimicrobial) ingredient in this soap is Benzoic Acid. It’s listed at the bottom of the ingredients list so that means that the concentration is small.
But it also contains glycerin to hydrate the skin and even Titanium Dioxide (a physical sunscreen). Its other ingredients are a mixture of natural extracts that also have small antimicrobial properties and also add fragrance, and other cleansing and preserving additions.
For us, the obvious downside of this soap is that even though it contains glycerin, it can still make your skin dry. It is super effective for cleansing, getting rid of bacteria, and even preventing odor. But you will need to moisturize religiously to avoid dryness.
You can Click here to get the Dettol Original Antibacterial Bar Soap on Amazon.
Now if you prefer Liquid body wash-type soaps then consider:
4- Dr. Lift Antibacterial Body Wash
I like this one because it is gentle yet effective, especially for sensitive skin like mine. I do not struggle with too much body odor but the guys here at Sasily gave it a try too.
They said that their skin felt much cleaner and that it did help to lessen body odor after a long day of work after their shower. They still needed to use deodorant and antiperspirants, of course, but they noticed that after a few days of use, they had significantly less odor. It also has a nice citrusy aroma.
- Benzalkonium chloride (an antiseptic and a typical preservative in medicinal goods) is the active component in Dr. Lift Antibacterial Body Wash.
- Calendula, lavender, cucumber, and lemon seed extracts are also included to help calm the skin.
You can Click here to get the Dr. Lift Antibacterial Body Wash on Amazon.
5- Dettol Anti Bacterial pH-Balanced Body Wash
This body wash is available in the original scent. Other versions of their antibacterial washes are available in different scents but I like this one the best. It smells like soap and is universal. Its main, active ingredients include Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide, and Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate. But it does also contain a few skincare ingredients (like niacinamide and moisturizers).
However, even though it is designed to also nourish your skin, from my experience it can be a little drying. You will need to moisturize well after using this.
When it comes to odor protection, it does a great job if you have mild to moderate odor problems. It gets rid of odor well and cleans your skin. You can notice the difference after your shower. It also extends the longevity of your antiperspirant deodorant. So for me, it works pretty well.
You can Click here to check out the Dettol Anti Bacterial pH-Balanced Body Wash on Amazon.
6- Hibiclens Antiseptic/Antimicrobial Skin Cleaner
Of all the liquid, medicated soaps we have tried, this one is the strongest and most effective. Its main, active ingredient is chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) 4%. This ingredient kills a variety of bacteria and fungi on contact and continues even after rinsing. Doctors even use it on their hands and on their patients before and after surgeries to keep their skin clean.
The downside, however, is that this soap can be harsh on your skin. It is unscented, but it does not contain any skincare ingredients.
So, I do not recommend using this on your face or on areas of the body that are super sensitive. You may also have to only use this 1-3 times per week, depending on how much odor you have. Using it every day might be too drying for your skin.
But, when it comes to odor, this soap is the boss! It really does get rid of bacteria effectively enough to eradicate odor! The guys (really they are the ones we needed to impress because they stink!) were all very pleased with the results. You will need to moisturize your skin well and often when using this, but it keeps bacteria and the stink away!
Please patch-test your skin for a bit before applying this soap on large areas. Also, check the ingredients to make sure you are not allergic to the main ingredient or any of the others.
You should also check with your dermatologist or doctor if you are not sure if you should use this soap because of the relatively strong active ingredient.
You can Click here to check out the Hibiclens Antiseptic Skin Cleaner on Amazon.
Natural Soaps For Body Odor
Natural or Organic Soaps are those that are made with plant-derived ingredients instead of medications. Many of them will include essential oils and other extracts that have antimicrobial properties.
However, even though these are organic, you still need to be cautious when using them. Some essential oils and other herbal additives can still irritate your skin.
So, as always, I recommend that you read the ingredients list to ensure that you are not allergic or sensitive to any of the listed ingredients. Also, always do a patch test before using any of these soaps all over your body.
It never hurts to also do some quick research or consult your doctor about ingredients that you are not sure about using on your skin – even if it’s “organic”.
With that being said, here are a few great natural soaps that we liked for cleansing and body odor protection
Related Articles:
10 Quick & Easy DIY Natural Remedies For Smelly Armpits
Cornstarch For Smelly & Sweaty Armpits- Benefits & Risks
Using Salt as Deodorant for Smelly Armpits- Is it Effective
The Best Natural Soaps For Body Odor That We Have Tried
If you prefer the standard bar soaps then:
1- Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Tea Tree Bar Soap
This brand of soap has been around since the 1940s and it remains one of the most effective natural soaps on the market.
The main antimicrobial ingredient in this soap is Tea Tree Oil, but it also contains other ingredients like organic hemp seed oil (cannabis sativa), coconut oil, jojoba oil, olive oil, palm oil, and vitamin E to soothe and nourish the skin. Along with Tea Tree Oil, it also contains Citric acid which helps to cleanse the skin and remove impurities and bacteria.
The scent itself is woodsy and medicinal (but in a good way). It contains no fragrance additives or other irritating ingredients. Some of the oil extracts may be irritating if you have super sensitive skin but it is generally well tolerated by most people. I still recommend doing patch tests though.
As for odor control, this soap does a great job. It cleans the skin and gives you a nice clean smell after your shower. It will not hold up all day if you sweat a lot and produce more than average amounts of odor, but it will help to keep your skin free of excess bacteria if used daily and along with your antiperspirant and deodorant.
Remember that these ingredients, though intense, are organic and not as long-acting as medicated ones.
You can Click here to learn more about Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Tea Tree Bar Soap on Amazon.
2- O Naturals Activated Charcoal and Peppermint Bar Soap
The start ingredients of this soap are activated charcoal and peppermint oil. The activated charcoal detoxes the skin, pulling impurities, dirt, dead skin cells and bacteria out and off of the skin.
Peppermint oil has antimicrobial properties that help to prevent excess bacteria regrowth. It also contains shea butter to condition your skin.
It can be used by both men and women and I love the way it smells. However, because of the charcoal, it can make your skin dry as it pulls out excess oil. I find that I can only use this a few times a week, but the difference in the way my pits smell after cleansing with this is noticeable.
The guys here at Sasily also tried this and they agree that it works pretty well (but not as effectively as the medicated soaps). This would be great for people with mild to moderate body odor.
You can Click here to see the O Naturals Activated Charcoal and Peppermint Bar Soap on Amazon.
3- Battleskin Bar Soap
This soap is made of a strong blend of essential oils which includes tea tree oil, eucalyptus oil, lavender oil and others. It is usually listed as an Antifungal soap, but it is antibacterial as well. It works great for cleansing the skin of odor-causing microorganisms.
The soap does not contain fragrance additives and instead smells like lavender and eucalyptus. It’s pleasant but not overpowering. Tea Tree Oil, along with eucalyptus oil and lavender oil work to kill and prevent the overgrowth of bacteria and fungi on the skin.
I used this on my sensitive skin and it worked pretty well. It was not too drying but I generally need to moisturize a lot. The guys liked how it cleaned their skin but they were not a big fan of the scent (they smelled like flowers apparently – eye roll). But it did make a noticeable difference in body odor when used.
You can Click here to check out the Battleskin Bar Soap on Amazon.
For liquid body wash soap consider:
4- TruRemedy Naturals Remedy Soap
This is my all-time favorite when it comes to natural liquid soaps. It’s made of tea tree oil, peppermint oil (I adore all things peppermint), rosemary extract, coconut oil, jojoba oil, olive oil and aloe vera extract. It’s great for people with irritated and sensitive skin.
When it comes to cleansing and odor control, it does an amazing job. It cleanses the skin well and it gets rid of odor that was trapped there all day. And the more you use it, the better the effect gets.
If you have mild to moderate odor issues, then this will keep you smelling fresh almost all day. Of course, you will still need to use your antiperspirants. But this is excellent at keeping the skin clean and keeping odor at bay!
This is also available as an awesome bar soap!
You can Click here to check out the TruRemedy Naturals Remedy Soap on Amazon.
5- Derma-nu Antibacterial Therapeutic Soap
This is another effective natural body wash that works great for bacteria and body odor. Its main antibacterial agent is Tea Tree Oil but is also infused with peppermint, spearmint, menthol, wintergreen oil, and oregano, all known for their deodorizing properties that help fight odor-causing bacteria as well.
The soap also contains aloe vera, rosehip oil, ginger oil, horsetail extract, cinnamon leaf oil and a bunch of other ingredients that soothe, hydrate, and nourish the skin.
When it comes to odor protection, when you shower with this in the morning, it keeps you smelling fresh all day, even if you are active. You do, of course, still need to wear your antiperspirants and deodorants. But this helps to keep the skin clean, prevent excess bacteria build-up, and deodorize the skin itself.
You can Click here to get the Derma-nu Antibacterial Therapeutic Soap on Amazon.
6- Being Naturals Tea Tree Bodywash With Collagen and Stem Cells
This is a great body wash that is great for body odor. It contains many nourishing ingredients that are all organic. However, the stars of the show are tea tree oil (which kills bacteria), collagen which plumps and firms the skin, and stem cells which encourage skin regeneration.
When it comes to odor protection, it does a pretty good job of keeping the skin clean and fresh when used daily. However, for me, it was a little drying. And if you have super sensitive skin, it might be a bit irritating. I suggest doing a patch test before fully using this. But, if your skin can tolerate the formula, it’s an effective body wash for body odor and skin health!
You can Click here to get the Being Naturals Tea Tree Bodywash With Collagen and Stem Cells on Amazon.
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