• Popular beauty content creator Elle McNamara shared the hack in a TikTok video 
• She explained that this trick can leave you without having to use any deodorant
• The product that she recommended retails for less than $13 at the drugstore

A beauty content creator has revealed a ‘life-saving’ hack that might leave you never wanting to touch a stick of deodorant again.

The wild information was shared in a recent TikTok video by Elle McNamara, who goes by the username Bambi Does Beauty online.

McNamara, who is based in the UK, has gone viral on both TikTok and Instagram, with some of her videos reaching millions of views, as she details her skincare tips, tricks and other expertise. 

And, this week, she revealed yet another trick that will take viewers by surprise, explaining that PanOxyl face wash can replace your traditional deodorant.

‘You know when people say this beauty tip is gonna change your life?’ McNamara began. ‘Well this one actually will.’

‘Personal hygiene tip 101, if you use this on your underarms, you won’t even need to wear deodorant,’ she continued.

In the clip, she held up a bottle of PanOxyl’s Acne Creamy Wash, which retails for just under $13 at most stores.

‘Leave it on for a few minutes, kind of like a mask, and then wash off,’ she said.

‘It kills the bacteria that causes your sweat to smell,’ McNamara promised.

She also recommended her viewers buy the Acne Creamy Wash that contained four per cent Benzoyl Peroxide, rather than 10 per cent, as the brand makes two versions.

‘This is the exact percentage that you need for the underarms,’ she concluded about the product.

In the caption of her video, she warned that if you decide to try out this trick, you should make sure to use a washcloth that you don’t mind getting dirty, since benzoyl peroxide can leave stains. 

And, it looks like McNamara really may be on to something here. 

According to Dr. Tiffany Libby, a Rhode Island-based dermatologist who works with the brand, the product can definitely help with odor. 

‘Panoxyl contains the active ingredient, benzyl peroxide, which helps eliminate odor-causing bacteria,’ Dr. Libby told DailyMail.com. 

‘Apply the wash to the under arms in the shower and leave on for several minutes before washing off,’ she continued. 

The dermatologist recommended to apply the product three to four times per week in order to ‘keep odor-causing bacteria under control.’

Dr. Navin S. Arora, a Long Island-based dermatologist at Borealis Dermatology, seconded some of Dr. Libby’s sentiments.

‘Benzoyl peroxide works by killing acne-causing bacteria, which are similar to the ones that can cause body odor,’ Dr. Arora told DailyMail.com.

‘This makes it a possible unconventional method for addressing body odor issues, especially for those looking to avoid aluminum-based deodorants,’ he continued.

‘However, it’s important to note that deodorants and antiperspirants work by making the skin acidic to deter bacteria or by reducing sweat production, which is a different mechanism of action from benzoyl peroxide.’

He also noted that it is important to make sure that you’re using the product in the way it has been recommended.

‘PanOxyl can cause side effects, including as skin irritation, itching, burning, stinging, redness, swelling, and peeling,’ the expert told DailyMail.com. 

‘Mild stinging or burning, skin dryness, peeling, flaking, and minor irritation are more common side effects.’

He warned that ‘people with very sensitive skin should be cautious, and it is recommended to apply a “test dose” to check for reactions before regular use.’ 

Primarily, the product can be troublesome if you’ve just waxed or shaved the skin, or gotten laser hair removal. 

PanOxyl should not be used on ‘open wounds,’ or skin that has been ‘sunburned, windburned, dry, irritated skin, or areas of eczema,’ Dr. Arora explained.

‘Given these considerations, while PanOxyl may help reduce bacteria and potentially body odor, it’s crucial to weigh the benefits against the potential risks and side effects, especially considering it’s not specifically designed as a deodorant,’ he concluded, noting that you may want to consult with a dermatologist or other health care provider before using the product. 

However, in the comments section of McNamara’s video, many seemed to share that they have had a positive experience with the PanOxyl hack.

‘Been doing this for about three months and glycolic acid my underarms HAVE NO SMELL. Like none,’ one person wrote.

Another agreed, ‘She’s not lying everyone. The best advice ever.’

‘It works! Except I still have to use deodorant but I can go the whole day and half without odor. Before it was same day,’ someone else chimed in. 

Others recommended that the product can be used in other places on the body.

‘PanOxyl is also the best thing for body acne if anyone struggles with that,’ a TikTok user shared.

Another seconded, ‘It’s true, I use the body bar instead. I feel like it works better.’

DailyMail.com reached out to McNamara for further comment.