Deodorant Soap: What Is It & Does It Really Work?

Trusting in deodorant to save you from stinkiness can be risky. Whether you struggle with sweat and body odor daily or just need extra help during warmer months, reinforcing your skincare routine with antibacterials and deodorizers is a must.

Deodorant soap helps protect you from body odor by eliminating harmful bacteria and giving your skin a clean slate before deodorant application. This blog will give you the lowdown on deodorant soap to expand your skincare arsenal and get the best sweat and odor protection.

What Is Deodorant Soap?

Deodorant soap does double duty: As a soap – which cleanses the skin of unnecessary dirt and oils – and a deodorant, which helps manage body odor. It comes in bar and liquid forms, and ingredients vary from product to product. However, no matter the brand or ingredients, deodorant soap’s primary goal is to prevent odor-causing bacteria through antibacterial agents.

How Deodorant Soap Works

Deodorant soap keeps odor at bay by eliminating odor-causing bacteria on the skin and temporarily preventing further bacteria growth. While ingredients vary, here are some safe, natural deodorizers commonly found in deodorant soaps:

  • Tea tree oil
  • Coconut oil
  • Rosemary
  • Sage
  • Lemongrass

In addition to antibacterials, ingredients that moisturize and balance your skin are essential in a good deodorant soap:

  • Shea butter
  • Jojoba oil
  • Probiotics
  • Vitamin E
  • Beeswax
  • Arrowroot (also acts as a natural antiperspirant)

You can add deodorant soap to your in-shower routine to give your skin a clean slate before you apply deodorant, SPF, makeup or fragrance. Use it like regular soap, but focus on the areas of your body that tend to get particularly sweaty or odorous for best results.

Is Deodorant Soap Antibacterial?

Yes, deodorant soap is (or should be) antibacterial. The antibacterial agents in deodorant soap separate it from regular soap. For example, triclosan and aluminum are common antibacterials, but we recommend foregoing these and opting for ingredients like tea tree oil and thyme that act as natural deodorizers.

Are Deodorant Soaps Effective?

Many deodorant soaps are effective at eliminating and preventing body odor. It’s all about finding ingredients that work for your body. A deodorant soap that works well for you may not work well for someone else, and vice versa.

However, there is no consensus about deodorant soap. While many brands and products claim to be anti-odor, most deodorant soaps aren’t any different than regular soap. Whether or not deodorant soap works is entirely dependent on its ingredients.

While some deodorant soaps are effective at cleansing the skin of harmful bacteria, we don’t recommend relying solely on deodorant soap to eliminate odor – especially if you struggle with excessive sweating or body odor. Instead, think of deodorant soap as a pre-deodorant rather than an alternative deodorant.

Should You Use Deodorant Soaps?

Deodorant soaps are ideal for anyone looking to reinforce their odor protection routine.

If you have sensitive skin or a skin condition (like eczema, psoriasis, acne, etc.), take a close look at the ingredients before you buy deodorant soap. Here is a list of skin irritants that you should avoid:

  • Aluminum
  • Parabens
  • Triclosan
  • Baking soda
  • Talc
  • Propylene glycol
  • “Fragrance”
  • Excessive essential oils

Pros & Cons of Deodorant Soaps

As with anything in life, deodorant soaps come with a list of pros and cons:

Deodorant Soap Pros:

  • It’s a great addition to your skincare regimen. Pair deodorant soap with a good deodorant and a sweat proof undershirt for the ultimate odor protection.
  • It can double as an in-shower cleanser. Deodorant soap doesn’t just have to be for the parts of your body that are odor-prone – you can use it all over!

Deodorant Soap Cons:

  • False advertising. Many soaps are advertised as deodorant soaps, but they don’t actually contain any deodorizing properties. Be cautious of this as you’re searching for a deodorant soap.
  • Results may vary. Although deodorant soap is a useful addition to many people’s skincare regimen, many report that deodorant soap isn’t effective at preventing odor.
  • It’s not ideal for excessive sweat or odor. If you struggle with sweat and odor a little more than the average person, don’t plan on relying solely on deodorant soap to eliminate these symptoms.

Double Your Sweat Protection With a Thompson Tee

Deodorant soap is an excellent addition to any skincare routine. But, however, if you suffer from excessive sweating or body odor (or both), you may feel there’s no end to your search for a product that can ease your symptoms.

To double your sweat protection and keep body odor at bay, try a Thompson Tee after washing with deodorant soap! Our patented sweat proof undershirts are guaranteed to absorb 100% of underarm sweat, prevent sweat stains and boost your comfort and confidence.

Try a Thompson Tee risk-free today!