These Soaps And Products Can Tackle Stubborn Odors — But You'd Better Hurry Up, Because The Sales Are Ending

In case you’re not up to date with our “old person smell” coverage, it’s been described to us by experts as a very normal phenomenon that typically happens starting around the age of 40 and can result in a mild to moderate organic or musty smell that varies from person to person and doesn’t go away with normal soap and water.

Board-certified dermatologists have previously said that persimmon-based soaps are a great option for aging-related odor because they help neutralize nonenal at the source.

This Japanese bar soap formula uses a dense concentration of persimmon extract with deodorizing tannins as well as green tea extract, an ingredient rich in antioxidants (declining skin antioxidants are one of the causes of “old person smell”). It also contains hyaluronic acid and hydrolyzed collagen to hydrate and plump the skin.

Cleaning professionals previously told HuffPost that enzymatic cleaning products are very effective for eliminating odor in fabrics and around the home. This is because enzymes are proteins that speed up chemical reactions to break down organic matter and actually eat away at odor-causing messes, rather than just masking them.

Active’s enzyme laundry booster is a plant-based formula that is gentle, without harsh chemicals or dyes, and is fragrance-free, but still does the job on stinky, dirty laundry — even activewear. All you have to do is add one to two scoops to the drum of your washing machine before tossing in clothes and detergent.

Lume’s well-known and trusted deodorant is formulated to go anywhere on the body to effectively control odors for up to 72 hours, without causing irritation to sensitive skin. This aluminum- and baking soda-free deodorant contains a blend of starches and root powders to help absorb moisture, while its innovative acidic formula is pH-optimized to block odor. Available in a number of scents like tangerine and alpine, in addition to a fragrance-free version, Lume applies like a creamy swipe-on deodorant and turns completely invisible on the skin.

And though experts haven’t specifically suggested Lume deodorant to us in previous coverage, the number of overwhelming reviews that speak to how well the formula works at eliminating all types of persistent odors is pretty hard to ignore.

Dermatologists previously said that exfoliating acids like glycolic acid or lactic acid can help remove the buildup of dead skin cells and bacteria that contribute to odor. This foaming body gel by Medix 5.5 for its inclusion of both ingredients, as well as salicylic acid. This body wash can also help soften the irregular skin tone and texture that’s often associated with skin conditions like KP.

This Korean body wash is another option for targeting “old person smell” because it contains fermented persimmon extract, as well as gentle exfoliating beads that can help get rid of dead skin cells and trapped impurities. Scented with a clean floral-woody fragrance, this foaming wash also contains calming centella asiatica to soothe irritation and ceramides for a healthy skin barrier.

A researcher and expert on body odor previously told HuffPost that aluminum-containing deodorants, or antiperspirants, may disrupt the armpit’s microbiome, ultimately increasing odor-causing bacteria. As an alternative, this expert suggested acid deodorants, made with ingredients like lactic and mandelic acid, which help promote a healthy microbiome and naturally exfoliate for cleaner-smelling skin.

The Nécessaire deodorant gel rarely goes on sale and contains mandelic acid and witch hazel water, another ingredient that dermatologists have said neutralizes body odor, particularly nonenal odors. This formula is aluminum- and residue-free, quick-drying, and delicately scented like eucalyptus.

The Inlifay medicated soap is another antifungal cleanser with the added benefit of persimmon extract to help neutralize nonenal odors. It uses both tea tree oil and 1% tolfinate to inhibit the growth of odor-causing fungus on the skin, as well as coconut oil and honeysuckle extract to hydrate and calm.

For a quick clean-up wherever you are, these aluminum-free and body-safe deodorant wipes by Lume are a great option for controling body odor on the go and come in a convenient pack of 15 wipes. Just like the company’s body deodorant, these wipes use a gently acidified, low-pH formula to control body odor and promote a feeling of freshness — an effective way to support a healthy, bacteria-resistant microbiome, according to previous expert guidance.

According to a dermatologist that we previously spoke to, witch hazel is one of the most popular forms of tannins, an ingredient that can help reduce body odors, including “old person smell.” These refreshing cleansing cloths for the entire body are soaked in the time-honored Dickinson’s witch hazel formula, which distills its witch hazel to meet the highest standards of purity, according to the brand. These wipes also contain soothing aloe and sodium benzoate, an ingredient that can prevent the growth of bacteria and yeast.

For dandruff-related odor, oily skin folds, or yeast overgrowth, dermatologists have recommended the Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, which can be used not just on the scalp, but sometimes as a wash for skin folds as well. This revered shampoo formula contains 1% ketoconazole, an effective antifungal, and has even been previously called “the industry gold standard” of anti-dandruff treatments by one dermatologist. It even earned a coveted HuffPost Shopping Award in 2025.

We’re told by dermatologists that zinc-based products — especially zinc pyrithione and zinc oxide — can help suppress both bacteria and yeast while also reducing inflammation and dandruff-related odor due to their antifungal and antibacterial properties. This shampoo and conditioner set by Head & Shoulders contains 1% of this active ingredient as well as royal oil for a healthier and more hydrated scalp.

In the past, dermatologists have said that talc-free body powders are an effective way to minimize excessive sweating and control body odor as they help absorb bacteria-causing moisture.

The Brickell Stay Fresh body powder is a freshly scented and talc-free formula that feels cooling on the skin and uses corn starch to effectively absorb sweat. It also contains soothing aloe and nourishing vitamin E.

Dermatologists previously said that soap bars made with charcoal can help reduce sweating and neutralize odor, which led us to pick this detoxifying charcoal body wash bar by Marlowe. The lightly exfoliating formula features a fresh and woodsy scent and contains hydrating seaweed extract and conditioning shea butter.

Bad breath can also ruin your confidence and be tough to get rid of but dentists previously told HuffPost that the tongue could be the culprit. In fact, one orthodontist said tongue scraping may be the most important and effective way to eliminate bad breath because it has been shown to promote a healthy balance of bacteria in the mouth. Researchers have even found that tongue scrapers remove 30% more volatile sulfur compounds on the tongue than a toothbrush.

This same expert suggests investing in a stainless steel scraper, and this discounted two-pack is made from 100% stainless steel that’s rust-proof and won’t harbor bacteria, and uses an ergonomic curved design for better tongue coverage. They also come with handy bamboo stands.