3 Best Probiotics For Body Odor (Oral & Topical)

Your sweat is odorless; It is, in fact, the bacteria on your skin that turns you from sweaty to smelly.

So, if you still find yourself asking, do probiotics help odor? The answer is a resounding yes! Because if bad bacteria can make you smell bad, the good bacteria can do just the opposite.

And just like diamond cuts diamonds, when it comes to the damage caused by their bacterial counterparts, what else could control it better than probiotics?

Simply put, probiotics work wonders by restoring the diversity of the skin microbiome and effectively eliminating the odor-causing bacteria along the way.

Therefore, I have compiled this article to help you make informed purchases about probiotic deodorants and supplements for body odor.

So, keep reading to know the details.

How I Selected The Best Probiotics For Body Odor?

I hate to break it to you, but obsessively scrubbing and washing may be doing more harm than good to your body odor. 

The reason is that these antiseptic personal hygiene products may throw off the natural equilibrium of your skin’s microbiome.

Consequently, a decrease in the overall bacterial diversity would promote the selective colonization of the malodorous species, and you may end up worsening the way you smell.

Hence, a reliable approach to getting rid of malodorous bacteria is to introduce good bacteria that can out-compete them for space and minimize their colonization and population.

So, here is a buying guide to help you invest in probiotic-containing deodorants and supplements for body odor.

Considered the Cost

The budget takes the utmost priority while making purchases; hence, I have dug up the most cost-effective probiotic products in different categories to tackle your body stench.

Nonetheless, a general trend among markets that you should be aware of is that most oral supplements cost more than topical probiotics.

Nonetheless, I have made budget-friendly recommendations that will range from $14 to $27.

Looked for Mode of Application Or Intake

Every type of probiotic aid has its own distinct benefits that cannot be compared to declare the better one among them.

Therefore, if you are looking for immediate relief, then topical products like deodorants, sticks, sprays, and creams are what you need.

In comparison, probiotic capsules and oral supplements will heal your gut from within and are a more suitable stink remedy for people with conditions like fish odor syndrome.

Since everyone’s preference is going to vary in this case, in the upcoming section, I will provide you with the best options in each category to choose from. 

Opted for the Right Probiotic Strains

Research has identified lactic acid bacteria and bacilli like certain Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species as our allies in the fight against smelly armpits.

Conversely, the culprits that cause us the embarrassment of body smell include Corynebacterium, Cutibacterium, Anaerococcus, some Staphylococcus, and Streptococcus species.

To counteract their activity, both oral and topical probiotics can be used.

However, topical ones are more effective than oral probiotics as they fight them directly upon application and re-populate the skin’s microbiota with healthy bacteria.

So, when picking topical probiotic products, look for one that contains a mention of species like Lactobacillus acidophilus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus pentosus KCA1 and Propionibacterium acnes.

But in conditions like TMAU (discussed in detail below), where the cause is internal, bacterial species like Bifidobacterium longum have been proven effective by scientific studies.

3 Best Probiotics For Body Odor

I hope my detailed guide above helps you narrow down your options. But if you’re still unsure, here’s my brief compilation of the best probiotics for body odor. 

1. Biotic Beauty Brightening Deodorant – (Best for bad body odor)

CFU: N/A

Dosage: You can use it as often as you want to feel fresh. Still, if you are transitioning from drugstore deodorants and antiperspirants, then manufacturers recommend applying it twice a day for two to four weeks. 

Probiotics Strains/Strains: Lactobacillus ferment and yogurt powder

Form/type: oil-based gliding stick

Certifications: N/A

Storage: You should store it in a cool and dry place because it may melt at warm temperatures.

Cost: To buy a 2 oz/ 56 g stick, you should set aside $21. But if you are going to use it for the first time, then it is better to buy the smaller 0.6 oz/ 17 g stick that costs $14.

The Biotic Beauty Brightening deodorant is the best probiotic deodorant for curing and preventing underarm odor.

Biotic beauty understands that sweating is not the problem; the overgrowth of malodorous organisms is, and antiperspirants aggravate it by blocking pores.

Therefore, it contains inulin to promote the proliferation of good armpit bacteria instead of the smell-causing foes.

All while simultaneously providing the goodness of lactobacillus ferments and yogurt powder and eliminating the bad bacteria with the antiseptic properties of bergamot oil.

Plus, to prevent sweat stains, it intelligently absorbs moisture, that too with tapioca starch instead of baking soda, which is typically used in other natural deodorants but may irritate the skin.

Not just that, it also contains coconut oil, which supports the healing of the skin barrier, and shea butter to soften it.

Pros

• Contains probiotics, postbiotics, and prebiotics.
• Brightens underarms, controls bacteria, and balances the pH of the skin.
• Moisturizes, hydrates, and soothes.
• 99% natural ingredients.
• Doesn’t contain baking soda, parabens, or aluminum.
• Fragrance-free.
• Suitable for both men and women.
• Tapioca starch keeps dry.
• Suitable for all skin types and sensitive skin.
• Cruelty-free.
• Eco-friendly packaging.
• Free shipping on orders over $20.
• Offers refund of both product price and shipping fees.

Cons: 

• Not available on online marketplaces like Amazon or physical stores.

Where to buy: 

• For now, you can only buy a 2 oz stick from the official website for $21.

2. Super Smart Bifidobacterium Longum Probiotic And Prebiotic – (Best for TMAU)

CFU Per Serving: 2 billion CFUs per capsule or 6 billion CFUs per serving.

Dosage: You have to take three capsules one hour before every meal.

However, please consult a healthcare professional before consuming if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or have an underlying illness. 

Probiotics Strain: (one probiotic strain) 

• Bifidobacterium longum BB 536

Form/type: Capsule

Certifications: Their production and packaging methods are GMP-compliant and HACCP-certified.

Storage: To preserve quality, you should store it in the fridge away from light, heat, and humidity.

Cost: A bottle containing 20 servings will cost you $24. However, additional shipping charges will also apply.

I really want to get straight into the benefits of Super smart B. longum Probiotic and prebiotic supplement for Trimethylaminuria (TMAU). But first, it is pertinent that I give you a background of the condition to aid your understanding.

So, in TMAU or fish odor syndrome, the liver is unable to convert the smelly compound trimethylamine (TMA), which is a by-product of bacterial digestion of food in the gut, into its odorless variant trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO).

This TMA accumulates in the body and ultimately gets released into the sweat, breath, and body fluids, which makes the person smell bad.

On a side note, eliminating TMAO is also essential because it may increase the risk of heart disease.

Unfortunately, there are not many therapeutic options for TMAU, but doctors recommend limiting TMA-producing foods for managing the disease.

I understand that tracking the daily food intake can be an arduous task, and this is where this Super smart supplement comes in.

It contains the B. longum probiotic, which is clinically proven to speed up the gastrointestinal transit of food, which may reduce the formation of such noxious by-products and their absorption into the bloodstream.

Plus, a 2022 murine study suggests that B. longum strains show therapeutic potential for treating TMAO-related diseases because they reduced the plasma TMAO levels and TMA concentrations in the colon.

On top of that, it has acacia gum, and a murine study has found that the intake of soluble dietary fiber can reduce the production of TMA and TMAO by 40.6 and 62.6%, respectively.

Pros: 

• Contains both probiotics and prebiotics.
• Free from gluten and soy allergens.
• A vegan product.
• 90% of the ingredients are organic and natural.
• Encapsulates probiotics in stomach acid-resistant, plant-based DR-caps capsules.
• No synthetic coating, un-flavored and odorless.
• Not tested on animals.
• Uses eco-friendly supplies.
• Free shipping above $25.
• 14-day refund policy for sealed products.

Cons: 

• May contain milk.
• Will take 6 to 20 days to get delivered outside European countries.

Where to buy: 

• You can buy it for $24 on the official website.
• Or you can save delivery costs by ordering from Amazon Prime at the same price.

3. Honestly pHresh Pre + Probiotic Deodorant spray – (Best Probiotic Deodorant)

CFU: N/A

Dosage: You can use it as much and as often as required.

Probiotics Strains/Strains: Lactobacillus ferment

Form/type: Liquid spray

Certifications: 

• PETA-certified, cruelty-free, and vegan.
• Certified organic.

Storage: You can feasibly place it on your dressing table or store it anywhere at room temperature. Moreover, it will stay viable for 12 months after opening but 18 months when not opened.

Cost: You can buy a 7 oz or 60 ml bottle for $16.99. This bottle will last an average of 3 months, depending on your use.

The Honestly pHresh deodorant has an all-rounded approach for tackling body odor.

It combats and extinguishes the bad smell, introduces fresh scents, and prevents you from reeking in the future.

Firstly, it utilizes ingredients with antimicrobial activity, like magnesium chloride and sage oil, to get rid of the bacterial overgrowth-causing odor.

Then, it has Triethyl citrate, a natural deodorant that inhibits the enzyme decomposition of sweat, which causes a stink, hence keeping you feeling fresh all day.

Next, the Lactobacillus ferment in it replaces the density of odor-causing bacteria, which reduces smell over time.

Now, for the best part, it does not contain just any prebiotic fiber, but the alpha glucan oligosaccharide, which is proven to enrich and balance the healthy skin microbiome.

Lastly, it contains moisturizers and oils like aloe leaf juice, coconut oil, avocado oil, and organic glycerin that smoothen the skin and promote recovery of the skin barrier.

Pros: 

• Comes in three different scents: cardamom rose, Himalayan cedar wood, frangipani, and monoi.
• Stabilizes skin pH.
• Can be sprayed anywhere, even inside of shoes.
• 24-hour odor control.
• Cruelty-free and vegan.
• 100% natural.
• Unisex.
• Moisturizes, protects, and heals.
• Doesn’t contain baking soda, parabens, and aluminum.
• No chemical, fillers, or synthetic fragrances.
• 30-day money-back guarantee.

Cons: 

• Does not help to keep dry.
• Magnesium may leave a white residue on the dress.

Where to buy:

• You can order it from the official website.
• Or you can get it from Amazon.
• You can also buy it from retail stores like Target if you are in the mood for in-store shopping.

FAQs

Can taking probiotics cause body odor?

It is not common for probiotics to cause body odor. 

Nonetheless, the reason why some people may rarely feel an increase in their body’s stench after taking probiotics is that the good bacteria can cause a ‘candida-die-off reaction’ and accelerate the excretion of toxins and waste from your body, which may sometimes manifest as body odor.

Can probiotics change body odor?

Of course, topical probiotics can help to rebalance the microecological environment under your arms and can improve the way you smell.

Can probiotics stop body odor?

Yes, applying Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium probiotics to armpits can help to reduce the abundance of odor- causing Corynebacterium species, which may help you to stop smelling bad.

Do probiotics make you smell fishy?

No, it is highly unlikely for probiotics to make you smell fishy.

Why do my probiotics smell bad?

The probiotics naturally emit a characteristic smell, but they should not be too much to bother your senses when they are encapsulated in pills.

However, if you feel that the odor is too intense, you should avoid taking them because they have likely gone bad or expired.

Alternatively, you can try using the Super Smart Bifidobacterium Longum Probiotic And Prebiotic supplement because its capsule technology masks the taste and smell of the ingredients.