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When it comes to your body's everyday functions, a few things are true: A good night's sleep gives you energy, exercise builds muscle, water offers hydration, and, unfortunately, sweating is a necessary part of life. While you've learned how to "hack" some of these other pieces of wellness—with sleep apps, fitness trackers, and high-tech exercise programs—something about sweat in particular still feels unsolved, which is: Why, oh why do armpits smell?
Experts in This Article
board-certified dermatologist in Pittsburgh
Sure, sweat doesn't always cause BO, aka body odor, but if you do find yourself smelling riper than usual, it could be from a buildup of bacteria in your armpits or other skin folds. Thankfully, the deodorant industry continues to invent the latest and greatest in sweat-stopping technology, but if still haven't found something to stop your stench, board-certified dermatologist Lindsey Zubritsky, MD, FAAD (known as @dermguru on TikTok) suggests another under-the-radar solution. And it’s so simple and affordable, we can’t believe we didn’t think of it sooner.
The answer: Benzoyl peroxide. You might already be familiar with the ingredient if you're a skincare lover or someone with acne breakouts and scarring, since it's often the star of over-the-counter acne washes and creams. Beyond being a budget-friendly acne treatment, dermatologists love that it can help prevent breakouts for oily, acne-prone skin. And, Dr. Zubritsky says benzoyl peroxide is ultra-effective for keeping body odor at bay.1
How does benzoyl peroxide work to stop armpit odor?
So, we know that dermatologists recommend benzoyl peroxide for acne, but how does it work to stop body odor? Turns out, the ingredient is an antibacterial substance, which means it kills off bad bacteria that thrive on the surface of our skin and cause breakouts or smells.2
“Antibacterial agents such as benzoyl peroxide target odor-causing bacteria that live in our underarms,” Dr. Zubritsky says. “By incorporating benzoyl peroxide into your hygiene routine, you can effectively reduce body odor,” she adds. Dr. Zubritsky also recommends using the same wash on your feet to reduce odor, too, which is good to know as we head into summertime.
If you're looking to fend off acne (including the back and butt variety) and stop catching whiffs of yourself throughout the day, a solid benzoyl peroxide wash might be worth the buy. While it won't necessarily stop you from sweating—you'll need an antiperspirant for that—you can apply it to your pits a few times per week to help neutralize odor. Just be sure to follow up with a moisturizer, since benzoyl peroxide can cause skin dryness and flaking, and some natural deodorant to stay fresh all day long.
Looking for some specific product recs? Here are some of Dr. Zubritsky's and our favorite benzoyl peroxide washes for smelly pits...and other body parts.
The 5 best benzoyl peroxide products for smelly armpits
Thankfully, there are plenty of other great products on the market to choose from that suit your skin (and odor prevention) needs. Here are some of our favorite washes that contain benzoyl peroxide to keep smelly pits and pimples at bay.
Dr. Zubritsky is personally a fan of the PanOxyl Maximum-Strength Acne Foaming Wash ($7), which has a 10 percent concentration of benzoyl peroxide. (FYI, This is the highest amount available in a product without a prescription from your healthcare provider.) Plus, it also contains moisturizers like glycerin and stearic acid to keep your skin soft and smooth.
If you have sensitive skin or you're prone to dryness and flaking from certain skincare products, Dr. Zubritsky recommends this milder version of the PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash. It only has 4 percent of benzoyl peroxide, and all the same moisturizing and nourishing ingredients your skin needs to stay hydrated.
If you're looking for something that's not only going to keep you fresh but also keep your armpit skin smooth and bump-free, this wash from La Roche-Posay will do the trick. Besides benzoyl peroxide, it also contains 0.1 percent micro-exfoliating LHA (lipohydroxy acid)—a gentler form of salicylic acid used to smooth out skin texture.3
CeraVe is not only dermatologist-tested and recommended—it's also a great option if you're looking to neutralize odor all over your body while keeping skin smooth and moisturized. Along with a high dose of benzoyl peroxide (10 percent) to keep you smell-free, this wash also contains the brand's classic combo of ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide (a form of vitamin B3) to protect the skin's barrier and provide ultimate moisture.4,5
If you already have a beautifully crafted skincare routine, applying a mask to your armpits while you do your other steps might be an even better choice for you than a wash. This mask by Sofie Pavitt has 5 percent benzoyl peroxide along with glycolic acid (an exfoliant) to help dry up breakouts and keep skin soft and fresh. Just apply to clean skin, let it sit for five minutes, and then rinse dry about one to two times per week.
How to use benzoyl peroxide to prevent body odor
For best results, follow the instructions on the product label or talk to your healthcare provider about how to best use benzoyl peroxide to prevent body odor. They can offer tips or recommend a milder product if you have sensitive skin. (Of course, always be sure to stop using the product and reach out to a professional if you develop redness, pain, or a rash from a product.)
To effectively use a wash, scrub it into your armpits or other skin folds while in the shower, let it sit for about 30 seconds, and then rinse clean. Pat the area dry once you get out of the shower and follow up with a natural deodorant or antiperspirant to keep odors at bay throughout the day. And if you experience skin dryness as a result of the benzoyl peroxide, try using a gentle moisturizer over the area to up your skin's hydration.
- Matin T, Patel P, Goodman MB. Benzoyl Peroxide. [Updated 2024 Mar 1]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537220/ ↩︎
- “Benzoyl Peroxide.” Benzoyl Peroxide - an Overview | ScienceDirect Topics, www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/benzoyl-peroxide. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
↩︎ - Zeichner, Joshua A. “The Use of Lipohydroxy Acid in Skin Care and Acne Treatment.” The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology vol. 9,11 (2016): 40-43. ↩︎
- Coderch, Luisa et al. “Ceramides and skin function.” American journal of clinical dermatology vol. 4,2 (2003): 107-29. doi:10.2165/00128071-200304020-00004 ↩︎
- Walker K, Basehore BM, Goyal A, et al. Hyaluronic Acid. [Updated 2023 Jul 3]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482440/ ↩︎
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