Body odor is the body naturally reacting to bacteria in the environment. But just because something is natural does not mean it is pleasant or tolerable. If you are an active person, you sweat regularly and need something to manage body odor. Luckily, you can invest in the best body wash for body odor.
Not just anybody has the correct ingredients to fight off unpleasant body odor in an effective way. The antibacterial body is needed to fight off body odor-causing bacteria. It should contain antimicrobial or some antiseptic ingredients that unclog your pores and help acne-prone skin. Therefore, we tried and tested several body washes to bring you a comprehensive list of the best in the market.
Dove's Deep Moisture Body Wash is the number one body wash on our list. It is suitable for all skin types, with added moisturizing MicroMoisture Droplets to nourish the skin. Coming a close second is the Defense Shower Gel. It is highly recommended for sensitive skin because it has no paraben, no sulfates, and none of the other irritating agents. In third place, we have CLn SportWash. It is the body wash for very active individuals who need an extra strong product to get rid of body odor.
10 Best Antibacterial Body Washes
A regular body wash that cleanses the skin of dirt without killing bacteria is not for active individuals. If you suffer from bad body odor or you have acne-prone skin, you might have an excess of bacteria on the skin. In this case, it is beneficial to use an antibacterial body wash that is effective for combating such problems for beautiful skin.
1. Dove’s Deep Moisture Body Wash
Finding a body suitable for sensitive skin isn't always a simple task. Dove’s Deep Moisture Body Wash comes highly recommended by experts for its gentle formula that is suitable for all skin types. It is a body wash formulated with moisturizing Micro Moisture Droplets that nourish dry skin while fighting off bacteria. Additionally, if you are environmentally conscious like I am, then the ergonomic bottle being 100% recycled is a plus.
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Some body washes leave me with itchy or irritated skin, especially before I know which skin type I have. However, Dove’s Deep Moisture Body Wash is gentle and formulated to not only combat body odor but also leave my skin moisturized and nourished.
2. Defense Shower Gel
Suffering from hyper-sensitive skin can hinder you from using most body wash out there. Defense shower gel is an effective antibacterial body wash that doesn't irritate sensitive skin. It has been formulated to help cleanse and fight bacteria without causing any allergic reaction to sensitive skin.
Eucalyptus oil and tea tree oil are the main ingredients in this body wash as they combine to kill bacteria and prevent fungal growth. The defense shower gel doesn't contain parabens, sulfates, and other potential irritants.
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My favorite part of this body wash was the rich, creamy lather it forms. I didn't have to use much to form lather for my whole body. Additionally, thanks to jojoba, aloe vera, and olive oils, this shower gel left my skin feeling moisturized and soft after shower. It is the perfect antibacterial body wash for delicate skin, with a formulation that leaves skin soft and hydrated. Nonetheless, while it is supposed to be a peppermint body wash, some individuals have found the smell to be anything but peppermint.
3. CLn SportWash
CLn SportWash has strong antimicrobial properties that are beneficial for fighting body odor. One of the reasons this body wash landed on our list is that it's formulated to fight more than just body odor. It is a great option for those suffering from bacterial issues such as athlete's foot, body acne, folliculitis, and jock itch. My husband lathers it for one to two minutes, and it decongests pores, leaving the skin clean while preventing odor-causing bacteria.
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4. Dettol Antibacterial Body Wash Original
Dettol is famous for its antibacterial formula in its cleaning products. So it is no surprise that the company has formulated an antibacterial body wash that eliminates bacteria from the skin. It is one of the best body wash for killing body odor-causing bacteria.
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The only downside I found was that it is not suitable for sensitive skin. It has a relatively strong formula that can irritate sensitive skin. Part of its ingredients is parachlorometaxylenol, which is known to be too harsh for some people with sensitive skin. Therefore, it is recommended that you do a patch test before using this body wash.
On the other hand, if you don't have sensitive skin, then you will love how effective this body wash is. I bought this for my athlete son, and so far, it has been great at eliminating bacteria and fighting body odor.
5. Vita Vie Antibacterial Body Wash
Vita Vie is another amazing antibacterial body wash but with a simple formula. Some of its key ingredients include tea tree oil, willow bark extract, benzalkonium chloride, and witch hazel. These ingredients combine to fight off body odor without irritating the skin. It is one of the few body washes that can be used by the whole family without irritating delicate skin. Plus it is available in most local drug stores.
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I used it with my young ones and I couldn't help but appreciate its gentle formula. Additionally, it doesn't dry out the skin while cleansing it of bacteria.
6. Lume Unscented Soap Bar
This body wash is not in liquid form but stands out from the rest as one of the best for fresh, clean skin. Lume addresses body odor especially those related to your private parts. It is designed to cater mostly to women, combating vaginal odor to ensure whole-day freshness. The Lume body wash is ob-gyn designed and approved, meaning it will cause no irritation on the skin and your private parts.
I used this for six months and I must admit it is amazing. It leaves the skin feeling clean without stripping it of natural oils. Plus I cleaned my privates without seeing any irritations.
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7. Dr. Lift Antibacterial Body Wash
Dr. Lift Antibacterial Body Wash is another one of my favorite washes for body odor. It works great to eliminate odor-causing bacteria even for those with extreme body odor. It is formulated to ensure you feel and smell fresh throughout the day with only one use. It contains lavender, calendula, apple, and chamomile to deeply hydrate the skin and leave it more resilient to damage.
The feeling I get after using this body wash makes me feel so calm and relaxed. Plus the scent is mild enough for those who aren't comfortable with strong-smelling products.
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8. Derma-nu Antifungal Antibacterial Therapeutic Soap All Over Body Wash
Derma-nu Antifungal Antibacterial Therapeutic body wash is one of the best for those suffering from body acne. It fights off fungal growth on the skin, ridding it of spots to leave a clean feel. Those with problems such as athletes' feet can also benefit from this formulation.
Being an organic product, it doesn't irritate my sensitive skin. I love that it has natural ingredients like tea tree oil that help the skin heal faster without any irritation. If you are looking for a natural product, then you will love this as much as I do. More than anything this product impressed me with how strong it is against bacteria while remaining gentle to the skin.
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9. Perspi-Guard Odor Control Body Wash
The Perspi-Guard Odor Control Body Wash has a very pleasant fragrance, but with a formula that is strong enough to fight off odor-causing bacteria. It uses triclosan as its key antibacterial agent to kill off bacteria from the body. Triclosan is clinically proven to be effective in killing off body odor by targeting bacteria on the skin while leaving the skin in the best condition. I have one of the most sensitive skin, but this body wash left me feeling clean, refreshed, and without irritation.
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10. Duradry 3-Step System
Duradry three-step system has an added antiperspirant gel for night use, an antiperspirant stick for morning use, and a deodorizing body wash. With this set, I didn't have to reapply deodorant twice a day even when I'm highly active.
Both the p.m. and a.m. antiperspirants contain active aluminum, and the body wash has moisturizing cleansers to ensure you have no body odor. Additionally, the formulation has bergamot that helps ensure no bacteria on the skin surface.
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How We Choose the Best Antibacterial Body Washes
We spoke to several experts about factors to keep in mind while purchasing a good body wash. The recurring answer was that it is important to look at ski sensitivity, hydrating properties, fragrance, and the ingredients.
- Effective ingredients - Ingredients such as coconut oil are more effective because of its antimicrobial properties.
- Skin sensitivity - Sensitive skin limits the types of ingredients that a body wash should contain.
- Fragrance - Not everyone is comfortable with products that have strong fragrances.
- Hydrating ability - Ingredients such as shea butter are a great addition to any body wash to help leave the skin moisturized.
Tips for Using An Antibacterial Body Wash
Here are some effective tips to ensure you get the most suitable antibacterial body wash.
1. Do a Patch Test
Doing a patch test should be mandatory for any product you are applying to your skin. It is especially essential before using an antibacterial body wash, as some components may be ingredients you have never used before, and you have to determine if your skin will be accepting of them.
By doing a patch test on a small area of skin, you can determine if the body wash is suitable for you or if your skin reacts to its ingredients. The most recommended way to do a patch test is to pick an area that is easy to treat, in incase of irritation. The best place is the inside of your wrist.
2. Don’t Leave It on Too Long
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Most of us think that leaving a product on for longer will cause it to work better. However, the longer it stays on your skin, the more it causes irritation and damage. When body wash is left on the skin for longer than two minutes, it might strip it of its natural oils leaving it dry, tight, and very sore. Therefore, to feel clean but with healthy skin, ensure that you do not leave the body wash on for too long.
3. Avoid Sharing
One of the most counterintuitive habits when it comes to using an antibacterial soap for body odor is sharing it with others. Sharing is discouraged especially if you are going for a body wash solid bar instead of the liquid forms. It is unhygienic because you can easily come into contact with bacteria on the soap, which will harm your skin.
To avoid cross-contamination, use liquid body washes. Liquid body washes are good especially if you have young children. If it is a household with adults only, ensure you label your bar soap well so that no one sues it accidentally.
4. Wash It off Completely
When you are in the shower, ensure that you wash off the body wash completely. Do not leave anything on your skin because the residual can easily lead to inflamed, flaky, and itchy skin. To avoid this, ensure that you properly rinse off the body wash from your skin before stepping out of the shower.
Conclusion
A good body wash effectively cleanses the skin to remove dead skin cells while leaving the skin clean and healthy. What works for one person may not work for someone else because our skins differ one from another. Therefore, ensure that you properly test your skin and find a body wash suitable for you as an individual.
