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Deodorant, antiperspirant, and body wash for HS: what to use and what to skip
Choosing deodorant, antiperspirant, or body wash with HS? Learn which ingredients irritate skin, what dermatologists suggest, and how to wash skin folds gently.
Key takeaways
Choose fragrance-free products with simple ingredients. Deodorants and antiperspirants containing fragrance, alcohol, or baking soda may irritate skin affected by hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Products labeled "natural" or "unscented" are not necessarily gentler.
Find a deodorant or antiperspirant your skin tolerates. Some people with HS find sprays less irritating than solid sticks, but there is no single best option. Avoid applying products to open or draining areas.
Be especially careful with products used in skin folds. Avoid scented washes, wipes, and whole-body deodorants in sensitive areas such as the groin, buttocks, and under the breasts.
Wash gently and avoid scrubbing. Use a mild cleanser and pat your skin dry. Your dermatologist may recommend an antibacterial wash to help manage odor.
Persistent lumps, drainage, or odor may need medical treatment. Skin care products can help with comfort and everyday hygiene, but they cannot treat the underlying inflammation that causes HS.
Finding a deodorant, antiperspirant, or body wash that doesn't irritate your skin can be challenging when you have hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). The best place to start is with gentle, fragrance-free products and a simple washing routine.
HS is a chronic inflammatory condition that begins in the hair follicles and is not caused by poor hygiene. Choosing the right products can help reduce irritation and manage odor, but medical treatment is needed to control HS itself. Learn more about what hidradenitis suppurativa is.
Ingredients to avoid and how to read labels
Skin affected by HS is often inflamed and under constant friction, so it can react to ingredients that other skin handles without trouble. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) offers self-care tips from dermatologists that work well as a shopping guide. It advises choosing an antiperspirant or deodorant without alcohol, baking soda, parabens, dyes, or fragrance, because these ingredients can irritate the skin.
It also helps to read past the front label. The AAD notes that products labeled "unscented" can still contain fragrance-related ingredients, so the words "fragrance free" are the more reliable sign.
In the same way, "natural" describes where ingredients come from, not how gentle they are. Some deodorants, natural or not, use baking soda or tea tree oil, so it's worth reading the full ingredient list before you buy.
Choosing a deodorant or antiperspirant
Once you know which ingredients to avoid, it helps to know what each type of product does. Deodorant handles odor, while antiperspirant reduces sweat. Under the FDA antiperspirant ingredient rule, the active ingredients allowed in over-the-counter antiperspirants are aluminum-based compounds.
When it comes to format, most of what we know comes from patients themselves. In a small 2023 survey of people with HS at one US center, 31 of 59 product users (52.5%) said every product worsened their HS. Respondents, mostly women with armpit HS, gave sticks the most "very harmful" ratings and sprays the most "helpful" ones.
Expert sources disagree about aluminum. DermNet's antiperspirant reference states that people with HS should avoid aluminum-based antiperspirants, while the AAD considers a mild antiperspirant or deodorant a reasonable choice. Because the evidence is limited, this is a decision best made with your dermatologist.
Until you've talked it through, these steps can make daily use easier:
Choose a product that avoids the ingredients listed above.
Try a spray or a plain deodorant if a stick stings.
Apply it to clean skin that has fully dried after your shower.
Consider trimming instead of shaving if shaving makes the area sting, and see our guide to gentler ways to remove hair.
Groin, buttocks, and under the breasts
HS often affects more than the armpits, including the groin, inner thighs, and buttocks. These skin folds are usually most comfortable with as few products as possible.
In men, HS can also involve the scrotum, and our guide explains how HS shows up in men. In women, it commonly appears in the fold beneath the breasts, which our guide to HS under the breasts covers in more detail.
Whole-body deodorants are marketed for these areas. According to the AAD guidance on whole-body deodorant, they do not reduce sweat unless an aluminum ingredient is listed. The AAD also advises keeping fragranced products off the groin, because fragrance can irritate that skin and may cause a yeast infection.
The same care applies to intimate or feminine washes and wipes, so look for fragrance-free options. If you'd like to add one to your routine, it's a good idea to check with your dermatologist first.
Body wash and how to wash
When choosing a body wash, the AAD names two options that can reduce bacteria on the skin. One is an acne wash with benzoyl peroxide, and the other is a soap with zinc pyrithione.
In the 2023 survey, about two-thirds of people who used a chlorhexidine (antiseptic) wash or a benzoyl peroxide wash said it helped control body odor. If you prefer not to use an antibacterial wash, a gentle, plain cleanser is a reasonable choice. Your dermatologist can also tell you whether any antibacterial wash suits your groin.
The way you wash makes a difference too. The AAD notes that scrubbing causes inflammation, which can worsen HS, so it's gentler to use your hands or a soft cloth with lukewarm water.
Afterward, pat your skin dry and give your skin folds time to dry fully before you get dressed. The AAD also notes that sweating and overheating can trigger a flare, so it helps to shower and change soon after heavy sweating.
Trying a new product safely
Testing a new product on a small area first shows you how your skin reacts before you use it where you get HS. The AAD explains how to test a new product with a simple method you can follow at home.
Choose a quarter-sized spot of clear skin on the underside of your arm or the bend of your elbow, away from any active lumps.
Apply the product to that spot twice a day for 7 to 10 days.
For a body wash or other rinse-off product, leave it on for about five minutes, then rinse.
If the spot turns red, itchy, or swollen, wash it off and stop using the product.
It's best to add one new product at a time. That way, if your skin reacts, you'll know which product caused it.
When skin care isn't enough
Even a careful routine can only do so much. Odor that comes with drainage starts in lumps and tunnels under the skin, which no deodorant or wash can reach. Our article on why HS lumps smell and drain explains what is happening beneath the surface.
It's a good idea to see a dermatologist experienced in HS if you notice any of these:
Lumps that return to the same places
Drainage or odor that persists
Spots that heal on top but keep leaking or reopen
Products that sting no matter which ones you try
Get care right away if you have a fever, red streaks spreading from a sore, or pain and swelling that worsen quickly.
Treatment may include medicines applied to the skin or taken by mouth, as well as biologics, which target specific parts of the immune system. Laser hair removal and in-office procedures may also help. You can learn how HS treatments compare before your visit.
Tono's HS specialty program covers diagnosis, biologic management, treatment changes over time, ongoing care, and coordination of procedures. Every visit is led by a specialist, and Tono has cared for more than 20,000 patients across a 33-state clinical footprint.
HS appointments are available in 2 days or less, no referral is needed, and most insurance is accepted. Virtual visits can cover diagnosis, medicine and biologic management, and follow-up. Cultures, biopsies, injections, and procedures happen in person, coordinated by your care team.
It helps to bring a list of the products you use. You might say, "I use a stick antiperspirant and a scented body wash, and my underarms sting after I shave. What should I switch to?"
A simple, gentle routine can make daily life with HS more comfortable. It works best alongside medical treatment, which is what controls the lumps, drainage, and odor at their source.
Frequently asked questions
Does deodorant cause HS?
No. A small 1982 study of deodorant use compared 40 people with HS with matched people without it and found no difference in earlier deodorant use.
What should I do with deodorant during a flare?
It's best to skip deodorant on the flaring area until it calms down, while continuing your usual product on other areas. For a painful lump, the AAD suggests a warm compress. Run a clean washcloth under warm water, wring it out, and leave it on the lump for 10 minutes.
Can I still wear perfume, cologne, or body spray?
Yes. Apply it to clear skin away from the folds where you get HS, so the fragrance stays off sensitive areas.
Is there a deodorant or body wash made for HS?
No single product works for everyone with HS. If a product is marketed as an HS treatment, it's a good idea to check with your dermatologist before relying on it.
Schedule an in-person or virtual appointment with a Tono Health specialist.
