Deodorant Pills Are Trending, But Do They Deliver What They Promise?

There is nothing worse than feeling carefree, walking out and about, and enjoying your time when you suddenly get a whiff of your own gnarly B.O. As a society, we have gone to many lengths trying to invent a solution to this age-old dilemma. Not all have been successful, and some have even been found harmful. For instance, antiperspirants have been a hygiene staple for many years. Noreen Iftikhar, MD, told Healthline that "antiperspirants help you sweat less by blocking your pores, the tiny openings in your skin that sweat comes out of. Antiperspirants contain many ingredients, including aluminum salts." However, Iftikhar cites multiple studies that have linked aluminum-containing antiperspirants to illnesses like breast cancer and Alzheimer's.

Deodorants, on the other hand, do not contain pore-blocking ingredients. In recent years, people have become more aware of the potentially dangerous differences between deodorants and antiperspirants. As a result, the popularity of natural deodorants has grown in manifolds. And despite people's quest to find the best natural deodorants out there, many have been left unsatisfied. Not only did people complain they were not as effective, but most roll-on deodorants are only suitable for the armpit area. Unfortunately, though, we excrete odor from all over our bodies. TikTok influencers have recently found an alternative that they claim to be a saving grace for all of their smelly problems — deodorant pills.

Imagine a world where you never had to squeeze your deodorant roll into a handbag or walk out of the house to realize you have white deodorant smeared across your blacktop. According to TikTok, this world exists. With over 1 billion views on TikTok, the page deodorant pills has blown up. TikToker @vitulls explains to her followers that after trying many different products to reduce and mask her odor, deodorant pills were the only thing to do the job. She reports that her cure-all is made of three ingredients — peppermint, parsley, and chlorophyll. She credits these supplements with all-over improved body odor.

But, not everyone on TikTok has reported these pills to be as life-changing. Another TikToker @rylea.shea described her experience after two weeks of trying deodorant pills, saying, "I'm sad to say, they're not working like I thought they would." The reviews are mixed, so what works for one person might not work for the next.

TikTok has a sneaky way of appearing like a legitimately reliable source. And while anecdotal experience can be extremely helpful, it's always worth it to hear what experts have to say. Dermatologist Dr. Anju Methil told Woman's World that "there is no scientific evidence that these products are effective." She also noted there are no studies considering the risks of deodorant pills. 

The main ingredient that many of these products advertise is chlorophyll. Physician Dr. David Dragoo mentioned to Healthline that the primary study supporting chlorophyll's anti-odor effects was published way back in the 1950s. At the time, it became a major buzz ingredient all over the market. There was even a chlorophyll pill, Nullo, which promised similar effects to modern deodorant pills. In a 1951 Nullo ad published by Life Magazine, the brand boasts, "This one pill controls all body odors including odors of the breath."

However, Dr. Dragoo disclosed that this study was soon after determined inaccurate, adding "The National Council Against Health Fraud says that since chlorophyll cannot be absorbed by the human body, it can therefore have no beneficial effects on folks with halitosis or body odor." Nonetheless, if you believe these pills may improve your struggle with body odor, you never know what might work for your unique body. If you do choose to try deodorant pills, we recommend you check with a professional physician to ensure it is a safe choice for you.