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Um, If You Have Some Pretty Stinky Feet, Take A Gander At These Products

“I’m a customer for life.” —one extremely satisfied Lume body wash customer

Posted 12 hours ago

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by Elizabeth Lilly BuzzFeed BuzzFeed Staff

As a Deputy Editorial Director for BuzzFeed’s shopping team, I love to get into the weeds of why a product’s worth the money by deep diving into customer reviews, and product-testing as much as possible.

There are certain personal care issues that really rear their ugly heads once summer comes, and today we're talking about foot odor. It happens, and sometimes it's happening a while before you really realize what's going on. But it's never too late to do something! Here, I gathered up a number of options to help kill the stink on both your feet and shoes, including some clever travel foot dryers, an acne face wash with a powerful ingredient that moonlights to kill stink-causing bacteria, and some foot deo you just might come to swear by.  

1. PanOxyl 10% Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Foaming Wash, which has the highest concentration of benzoyl peroxide available *without* a prescription. Yes it does major work on face and body acne, but that ingredient can also attack stink-causing bacteria on your pits and feet.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "My derm recommended this product for my sweaty feet. It kills the biotic effectively and reduces the peeling symptoms." —JL

"Great for body acne! Also good to use on boys with smelly feet. Not greasy. Does not irritate skin. No bad smell." —Username5

Get it from Amazon for $10.67.

2. A pair of machine-washable "flat socks" to put in your sneakers that you never ever wear socks with but are worried about the funk factor. They're moisture-wicking to help catch your sweat and help you concentrate on better things, like when you're getting ice cream. 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I came across these flat socks at CVS and was curious. I placed them in a pair of old Adidas that I was about to toss from the stink. I removed the liners of the old socks and replaced them with flat socks. I did not wear socks with them after I installed them. The shoes no longer smell! It’s amazing! I ordered three more pairs on Amazon. Goodbye, socks! When I fear they may start to smell — I just remove them and toss them in the wash. If you can’t afford them for every pair of sockless shoes, they are easily moveable from shoe to another. I highly recommend these washable insoles!" —Kindle Customer

Get them from Amazon for $10 (available in two sizes). 

3. Dr Teal's Pure Epsom Salt Foot Soak that'll give your old dogs some major relief but also help kill the funk. Talk about a win-win from the brand that's gone viral on TikTok again and again for seasonal soak scents like Hawaiian Bliss. This edition is more practical than fun, but reviewers say it WORKS.

Amazon

Promising review: "I have a foot odor that not only bothers me, but it also bothers the public. I tried scrubbing it, but it didn't work. I read that soaking your feet can eliminate the odor.." —Pada

Get a two-pack from Amazon for $19.22.

4. And a collapsible foot bath to make soaking your poor, tired feet a whole lot easier while using less product at the same time so that giant bag of Dr Teal's you bought lasts you longer. It'll be so much easier to put away post-soak and get out of storage when it's time for a foot soak!

Amazon

Promising review: "I travel to dance in competitions. Hotels frequently don't have bathtubs anymore, and I need to soak my feet after a long day of dancing in heels. This foot bath travels well and does the job! It dried quickly in my room so I could pack it up with no problem. I am very glad I purchased this!" —csp

Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in two prints).

5. Megababe Toe Deo Odor-Blocking Foot Spray you can spray on clean feet and let dry before you pop on socks and shoes. It's aluminum-free and made with an odor-blocking combo of lavender, tea tree, peppermint, spearmint, AND witch hazel. 

Amazon

Megababe is a woman-founded small biz. 

Promising review: "I use this when wearing flats without socks. It works great! I was shocked by how good my feet smelled after being in Rothy’s for 10 hours on a warm day!" —Lisa

Get it from Amazon for $13.99.

6. Or a Dr. Scholl's ODOR-X Foot Odor Probiotic Spray that could do what it has done for others in the reviews — and benefit everyone else around you. You can use it daily, but lots of reviewers use it way less frequently and say its effects lasts on shoes for weeks. 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "It was getting unbearable to sit stationary. I would smell my own feet and was embarrassed to be in church after work on Wednesdays, knowing that people could smell my feet. Bought new shoes, socks, to no prevail. I saw this stuff with the reviews and made the purchase. Within two weeks, maybe even just a week, the smell was gone. Absolutely gone, and my shoes smelled new again. I have not had to apply this for the past two months, and now I am reapplying because the smell is just starting to return. The spray saturates your foot, which wicks through the sock and affects the inner lining of your shoes. This eliminates the order everywhere it emanates from. I wear thin socks and well-ventilated shoes." —Future Speed PC, LLC

Get it from Amazon for $10.

Also check out the similar powder spray, non-probiotic version.

7. Lavilin Foot Deodorant Cream because it turns out that deo isn't JUST for your pits. This sensitive skin–friendly formula is made to last up to seven days. 

Amazon

Promising review: "If you have sweaty feet there is nothing on the market better than Lavilin. I've tried everything and this stuff is the only product that actually works. My feet use to sweat and smell. Not anymore!" —Tracker

Get it from Amazon for $19.08.

8. Arm & Hammer odor buster balls you can stick in all sorts of places throughout your home where things are smelling a little funky, but ESPECIALLY in your shoes. Reviewers also say it helps get pet odors out of their cars.

Amazon, www.amazon.com

You can check out a TikTok mentioning the odor busters for more deets. 

Promising review: "Works really well on smelly hiking boots, walking, and running shoes. For best results, put the shoes inside a plastic bag to trap the good smell!" —Boris

"Cute little balls. Great job eliminating odors in closets, shoe racks, near cat box." —Sherry

Get a set of six from Amazon for $11.96.  

9. A pair of charcoal deodorizing shoe inserts will not only freshen up your running shoes, but you can also post throughout your home to catch and get rid of wet dog smell. They're THAT good. 

Amazon

Moso is a small biz specializing in odor elimination. 

Promising review: "Works great! Easy to use. If you have odor from shoes, this will help neutralize the smell and the dampness." —Trina

Get them from Amazon for $9.95.

10. A clinical-strength antiperspirant that has 12% aluminum chloride, which blocks sweat for up to 72(!!) dry hours. Yes, you can use it on your pits, but it also does great work on your feet — according to reviewers. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Actually helps a lot, you can also use this on your feet if you tend to sweat a lot. I work outside 13–14 hour days in boots, and this keeps my feet completely dry." —Dustin Reed

"Just got inside from 80-degree weather. I CANNOT believe I have no sweat marks. To be dramatic, this is life changing. To be modest, this is life changing. Haha. I was always so embarrassed going anywhere! No matter the weather I was always dripping sweat from under my arms. I was always so self-conscious, leaving parties early, known as the sweater! No more! I’m seriously so excited about this." —Liz

Get it from Amazon for $7.49.

11. Or a pack of clinical-strength SweatBlock wipes that'll come in handy for hyperhidrosis, nervous sweating, and hormonal sweating any time of the year. You can apply it to once and it's made to work for up to seven days.

www.amazon.com

As always, this is a clinical-strength product, so make sure you do a spot test first (especially if you have sensitive skin)! And each box lasts two months!

Promising review: "I am amazed at how well this product has so far stopped my feet from sweating. After the first application, it was good for a couple of days, then I reapplied, and it has been amazing. My feet sweat whether they are cold or hot. This sweating (a menopause gift, along with face/head/neck hot flashes) on my feet made me embarrassed to wear open shoes, 'How can your feet be sweating, it's so cold?' and it made me feel like I wasn't clean. Best thing about researching for this product is reading reviews and finding how many people have the same problem, yet it is rarely if ever addressed. This product does what it's supposed to, inexpensive — terrific." —Julie

Get a 10-pack from Amazon for $19.99 (also available in packs of two and three).

12. Carpe antiperspirant foot lotion, a non-sticky, quick-absorbing product that won't derail your day when you need to apply it and then get out the door. This powerful (but sensitive skin–friendly) formula *absorbs* your sweat so you won't feel like your shoes are your own personal slip 'n' slides. 

Amazon

Carpe is a small biz specializing in sweat protection for different parts of your body.

I haven't used this product, but I'm a huge fan of the brand's 100-hour underarm antiperspirant that keeps my pits DRY, but not irritated.  

Promising review: "I've had smelly, smelly feet. Healthcare workers, at times, work over 16 hours a day, with little to no time to change socks. I'd come home and leave my shoes on until I got to the bathroom (lest I offend my kid or my wife, who dealt with my bad smell for a while). Smell even remained after washing my feet twice (toe to heel, between toes and all). Then this little gem came around.

This little gem actually STOPS the sweat from coming out. Long story short, the main ingredient is sticky and thickens wherever there's moisture — this means your sweat pores. And if you especially have hyperhidrosis, there's a TON of them on your feet. Put this on, those sweat pores are blocked, the sweat no longer flows, and all the ingredients in sweat responsible for the smell are eliminated.

I find putting this on only once a day (before my socks and shoes are on), and I haven't had a single smelly problem for the past three months." —Chris Garza

Get it from Amazon for $19.95 (also available with an applicator). 

13. Truremedy Naturals Remedy Tea Tree Oil Body Wash has HORDES of fans in the reviews for its ability to soothe skin with its combo of aloe, mint, and tea tree soap. BUT some reviewers say that the real magic happens when they've used it on their smelly, stinky feet! And one person said it"completely healed my toenail fungus."

www.amazon.com

Read more about tea tree oil: how it can help with [athlete's foot, acne, or dandruff, depending on the product] from Mayo Clinic and jock itch from Cleveland Clinic.

Truready is a small biz specializing in grooming products. 

Promising reviews: "Foot odor killer. It is good! I bought this for my body, but the real magic happened when I started using it on my feet. I have struggled with foot odor for years (especially with gym shoes), and this tea tree oil body wash has completely eliminated the smell." —derekT

"I just put a little on my feet and toes full strength and let it dry. My nails were terrible. Now they are completely clear! Amazing after years of toenail fungus treatments. Healed within two months. Thank you, remedy soap!" —

Get it from Amazon for $14.63.

14. The Ordinary's Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner can help smooth and brighten skin, yes, yes, yes. Obviously. But! According to one TikTok-famous derm, it can also help banish the bacteria that cause B.O. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

There are sooo many uses for this!

Promising review: "Continuously purchased. This is liquid gold for me. I use this as a deodorant. Exfoliating facial toner. Foot deodorant…. And it’s just incredible." —Dana Rdrgz

Get it from Amazon for $9+ (available in two sizes). 

Psst, this brand The Ordinary is known for affordable high-performance skincare.

15. A pack of Remodeez footwear deodorizers packed with charcoal for some VERY effective odor removal — even on your teen's sneakers that are teetering into biohazard territory. 

www.amazon.com

Remodeez is a small biz specializing in deodorizers.

Promising review: "WOW! I have never written a review before, but I have to write about this item. My teenage son's feet are toxic. His shoes could clear out a movie theater. We have tried everything. Sneaker balls, regular washing, etc. Nothing really helped. After one night of having these in his shoes, THE SMELL IS GONE! I ordered two more pairs today for his other shoes." —Arpcohen

Get a pack of two from Amazon for $9.99.

16. Some portable, lightweight shoe dryers for when you need those sweaty soccer cleats to dry out overnight but they can't do it on their own. Just saying, this would be great for golf trips or sports travel!

Amazon

Promising review: "Works great ...as advertised. Dry and odor-free golf shoes." —Ed Stricker

"Used for soccer cleats. Dries and keeps the stink away." —Amazon Customer

Get them from Amazon for $29.99.

17. A bottle of antibacterial foot and shoe deodorizer that could, perhaps, help you salvage those non-washable ballet flats that have really started to stink up your mudroom. (Listen, it isn't always the workout shoes that stink the most!)

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "This is an over share, but I have disgusting feet. They smell so bad, and I am personally offended by the odor. I purchased this while in a work meeting because I COULD SMELL MY RANK FEET!!!! This has made a huge difference, and I am obsessed. Totally worth it!!" —KB

"This product is one of the best. My feet have not smelled so good when wearing military combat boots for nine hours or more, straight. While sitting, I can even smell the peppermint scent of the spray." —Becky

Get it on Amazon for $13.49.

18. A lemon eucalyptus spray that many reviewers used as a bit of a last resort for their shoes they were ready to throw away or were just resigned to wear while being seriously stinky. One reviewer even says that their climbing shoes "no longer smell like death" thanks to this potion!

www.amazon.com

Lumi Outdoors is a small biz specializing in odor-neutralizing products. 

Promising review: "I’m in my work boots for up to 10 hours a day. So, when I finally come out of those things, I can really see and feel the moisture buildup. And unfortunately, that moisture comes with a stank funk. It’s foul, I know. But let me tell you, THIS ISH WORKS! 100% Don’t doubt it. A single spray in each boot before putting them on and again when I take them off. Within three days, ain’t nothing but lemon and eucalyptus in the air. Still gotta wash them toes though." —Davidofdena

Get it from Amazon for $12.95.

19. A pack of classic Sneaker Balls you can park in your sneakers, cleats, work boots, or any other footwear that smells pretty funky. These'll work for you easily in the background. 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Better than several foot odor sprays. Different approach and works well." —William Rees

"Another weapon in the war against my son's football cleats and basketball shoes." —TDD

Get a pack from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in a variety of colors).

20. A pack of Dr. Scholl's Odor-X foot powder made with Sweatmax technology that you can sprinkle on your dry, clean feet in the morning to avoid foot sweat and stink all day. But as one reviewer below did, it can also do some work in your shoes while you're not wearing them!

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "My old gym shoes would smell so bad!! Once I replaced them I ordered the OderX shoe powder immediately for preventing the stink! I workout daily in the same shoes, and use the powder on a weekly basis. It does a GREAT JOB preventing smells and keeping your feet dry from perspiration. As proof, I have been using the same gym shoes for at least 1–2 years now and they smell great still!" —Will

Get a pack of three from Amazon for $21.49.

21. Lume Acidified Body Wash with mandelic acid to help prevent B.O. for up to 24 hours in case your regular soap routine has not been cutting it this summer. Let's get *actually* clean if we're bathing, OK?! (Do NOT even get me started on people who don't bother to wash their feet or legs in the shower.) 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "What in the magical fairy dust is this??? 0 odor after an entire day walking around in the heat. Wow. Not even foot smell." —Amazon Customer

"Can absolutely confirm it works. Took care of my foot odor. I’m a customer for life." —Amy Horton

Get a two-pack from Amazon for $18.18 (available in six scents).

Psst, I'm a fan of the Lume whole-body deo too but it is STRONG so if you have sensitive skin on your feet, you may want to skip. 

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