The $9 Personal Hygiene Hack a Derm Swears By For Fighting Stinky Pits and Smelly Feet

Why is it that cars can drive themselves and billionaires can take joy rides into space, but we’re still figuring out how to deal with B.O.? It feels unfair, TBH. WHY oh why do armpits smell?!?

Thankfully, there’s hope. Not only is the deodorant industry in the midst of a full-blown renaissance with new innovations in sweat-stopping technology, but board-certified dermatologist Lindsey Zubritsky, MD, FAAD (known as @dermguru on TikTok), recently brought a different sort of solution to our attention that’s been here all along. And it’s so simple and affordable, we can’t believe we didn’t think of it sooner.

Enter: PanOxyl Foaming Cleanser ($9). You may already be familiar with the under-$10 face wash, as it’s long been a derm favorite for dealing with acne. But as we learned from Dr. Z, its star ingredient—benzoyl peroxide—is also ultra-effective for keeping body odor at bay.

PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash Benzoyl Peroxide 10% Maximum Strength Antimicrobial — $9.00

Benzoyl peroxide’s claim to fame is its ability to kill bacteria. What’s more, it also offers light exfoliating benefits, meaning it can slough away the dead skin cells that trap dirt, grime, and bacteria under your skin. While this is helpful for stopping breakouts (because, as you probably know, bacteria can lead to acne), it’s also great for keeping you from stinking. On its own, sweat is actually odorless—it only starts to smell when it mixes with the bacteria on your skin. So by using a formula that gets rid of that bacteria, the way PanOxyl does, you’ll be able to stay fresh as a daisy after even the most intense workout class or 90-degree day.

“Antibacterial agents such as benzoyl peroxide target odor-causing bacteria that live in our underarms,” Dr. Zubritsky tells Well+Good. “By incorporating benzoyl peroxide into your hygiene routine, you can effectively reduce body odor.” And yes, she recommends the same product for foot odor—which is great news as we head into boot season.

So, not only does this foaming formula fend off breakouts from head to toe (booty and back included), but it can also stop you from smelling like hot trash—and who doesn’t love a double-duty product? Dr. Zubritsky’s a fan of PanOxyl’s maximum-strength option (which has a 10-percent concentration of benzoyl peroxide), but if you need a milder solution, there’s a 4-percent version as well.

For best results, cleanse your armpits with PanOxyl Try cleaning your underarms with PanOxyl in the shower, and let it sit for 30 seconds before rinsing. Then, you may just find you’re a natural deodorant person after all.