Buying guide for best persimmon soap
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As good as I feel after working out at the gym, there is one thing that often keeps me from pushing myself as hard as I could: how badly I stink after running a few miles on the treadmill or the exercise bike. In my everyday life, I honestly don’t worry much about body odor, but something about intense cardio just makes me smell so pungent that I don’t want to come within 10 feet of anyone.
When I mentioned my exercise-induced body odor insecurity to a friend, though, she offered up a solution I’d never heard of — persimmon soap. Her grandmother became a devoted fan of the soap after she started to feel like she’d developed that infamous “old person smell,” and all her regular soaps and body washes just couldn’t seem to help. The difference with persimmon soap is that persimmons contain tannins, which bond to odor-causing bacteria and allow them to wash away more easily.
That’s why my friend’s Nana smells fresh as a daisy now, and I’m adding a bar of persimmon soap to my gym bag.
Like any other soap, persimmon soap is available in the classic bar form or as a gel. And while it’s primarily marketed for its odor-fighting power, you can also find formulas that provide other benefits like moisturizing, exfoliating and even brightening your skin. It’s often pricier than regular soaps and body washes, but value packs of multiple bars can help make it a more affordable option.
At BestReviews, we’ve researched and evaluated over a dozen persimmon soaps to help us find the best formulas. Our top pick, the Mirai Clinical Persimmon Soap Bar, is a highly concentrated formula that contains a significant amount of persimmon tannins for effective odor-fighting. It’s safe for daily use on all skin types and leaves your skin feeling hydrated and soft.
Editors’ picks
Mirai Clinical Persimmon Soap Bar
Editors’ Favorite
Scent: Citrus | Skin Type: All | Form: Bar | Benefits: Moisturizing
The Mirai Clinical Persimmon Soap Bar has such a light, pleasant scent that you might not think it’s powerful enough to fight nonenal odor due to aging and other body odors. But unlike other persimmon soaps, which often rely on persimmon juice alone, this lab-tested formula is rich in persimmon tannins, which can neutralize odors more effectively.
It can keep you smelling fresh all day, too. In addition to persimmon, it contains green tea extract, which also provides continuous odor protection, allowing you to feel confident as you go about your everyday activities.
This soap is still extremely gentle, though, so it’s safe for all skin types to use. It creates a rich, creamy lather that rinses away clean but still leaves your skin feeling soft and moisturized. Each bar lasts a long time, too, making the Mirai Clinical Persimmon Soap Bar an excellent value.
GPP Persimmon Soap Bar
Great Value
Scent: Light and fruity | Skin Type: All, including sensitive skin | Form: Bar | Benefits: Hydrating, exfoliating and brightening
The GPP Persimmon Soap Bar is one of the best values on our list, not just because of its affordable price but because each set includes three bars. In addition to odor-fighting persimmon, the soap features a combination of other natural, skin-friendly ingredients, including coconut oil, shea butter, olive oil, sunflower oil and ground oatmeal. The formula not only neutralizes nonenal and other body odors, but also helps hydrate, exfoliate and even brighten dark patches on your skin.
Still, these soaps are gentle enough for all skin types and can be used on the face and body. You can use it to control odor in your armpits, inner thighs and intimate areas, as well as your feet, behind your ears and the back of your neck.
The GPP Persimmon Soap Bar has a slightly fruity, persimmon-based scent that’s light enough to not interfere with other fragrance products. It’s a cruelty-free formula, too, so the soap isn’t tested on animals.
Mirai Clinical Body Wash for Body Odor
Best Body Wash
Scent: Citrus | Skin Type: All | Form: Gel | Benefits: Moisturizing
If you aren’t a fan of bar soap, the Mirai Clinical Body Wash for Body Odor is the perfect alternative to traditional persimmon soaps. Like Mirai’s other formulas, it contains real persimmon tannins rather than just juice, so it can effectively counteract age-related body odor, as well as other body-odor issues. It also features green-tea extract, so it provides long-lasting odor protection.
The gel formula is highly concentrated, which means a little bit goes a long way. The bottle contains nearly 10 ounces, too, so it can last for several months, making it an excellent value. Its rich lather rinses away cleanly and doesn’t leave your skin feeling dry, either. That makes it safe for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
The body wash doesn’t contain any artificial fragrance, but it still has a clean, fresh scent. It works especially well for keeping areas like behind your ears, the back of the neck, your armpits, your groin and your feet smelling fresh all day.
Mirai Clinical Persimmon Soap for Sensitive Skin
Best for Sensitive Skin
Scent: Mild citrus | Skin Type: All, including sensitive skin | Form: Bar | Benefits: Moisturizing
If you’re looking for a more powerful persimmon soap, the Mirai Clinical Persimmon Soap for Sensitive Skin is a clinical-strength formula. It’s made almost entirely of Japanese persimmon extract, which offers purifying and deodorizing effects for nonenal and other body odors. It also contains green tea and coconut, which help moisturize your skin and provide anti-aging benefits.
Because it’s an all-natural formula, it’s free of harsh chemicals that can irritate the skin. That makes the soap suitable for all skin types, even the most sensitive. It creates a rich lather, so it not only neutralizes odors but also leaves your skin feeling soft, smooth and hydrated all day.
The soap has a mild citrus scent that’s extremely light and fresh. It’s an ideal option if you aren’t a fan of heavy scents or like to layer your fragrance products.
Asayu Japan Persimmon Body Soap
Best for Scent-Sensitive Users
Scent: Persimmon | Skin Type: All | Form: Bar | Benefits: Moisturizing
The Asayu Japan Persimmon Body Soap is formulated with Japanese persimmon extract, so it contains kaki tannins that can neutralize nonenal and other body odors. The bar also contains plant-based glycerin, which helps maintain your skin’s natural moisture balance. The formula doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals or synthetic detergents, either, so it’s safe for even sensitive skin and can be used daily.
While this soap is pretty pricey, the bars are handcrafted in Japan by skilled artisans. They’re made using a cold-press process, which helps preserve the ingredients’ natural oils. It also helps the soap create a rich, creamy lather that rinses away well and leaves your skin feeling clean but never dry.
The Asayu Japan Persimmon Body Soap doesn’t contain any artificial fragrances. Instead, it has a light, clean natural persimmon scent. It still lingers all day, though, so you can go about your daily routine knowing you smell fresh.
How we analyzed
Persimmon soaps all typically make similar claims, so choosing the right one can be difficult. To identify the best persimmon soap, we analyzed customer reviews from several online retailers to see which formulas best met user expectations. Specifically, we considered how well they controlled odor, the amount of lather they created and how easily they rinsed away, how they left the skin feeling and how long a bar or bottle lasted. Ultimately, we considered over a dozen persimmon soaps and chose the top formulas based on effectiveness, fragrance, ingredients quality, ease of use and overall value.
What are the benefits of persimmon soap?
If you’re unsure why persimmon soap is any different from the Ivory soap you grew up using, it helps to understand the benefits that persimmon soap can have for your skin and overall hygiene.
- Fights odor: The main reason that persimmon soap has generated so much buzz lately is its ability to neutralize body odors. It’s particularly effective for nonenal odor, or “old person smell,” but it can work for all types of body odor.
- Offers antibacterial and antifungal protection: The same ingredients that make persimmon soap so effective at controlling body odor allow it to naturally fight bacteria and fungus, so your skin is as clean as possible.
- Doesn’t dry the skin: Despite its powerful odor, bacteria and fungus protection, persimmon soap doesn’t leave your skin feeling dry or tight. In fact, many formulas contain moisturizing ingredients, so you end up with soft, hydrated skin.
- Gentle enough for all skin types: Because it isn’t drying and doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals, persimmon soap is safe for use on all skin types, including sensitive skin. You can also wash with it daily.
- Eco-friendly: Persimmon soap is made from natural, plant-based ingredients, so it’s biodegradable.
Key features to consider
Key ingredients
Japanese persimmon (kaki) extract and tannins: The star ingredient in persimmon soap obviously comes from Japanese persimmons. Formulas typically contain persimmon extract, which is essentially juice, and/or persimmon tannins. Persimmon tannins bind with odor-causing molecules, effectively neutralizing them and making them easier to wash away. These tannins come from unripe fruit and also offer antibacterial and antifungal properties. One thing to note: Soaps that contain only persimmon extract are not as effective at controlling body odor.
Green tea extract: Some persimmon soaps also contain green tea extract, another natural ingredient. Green tea is an antioxidant and has antibacterial properties that allow it to neutralize body odor.
Vitamins A, C and E: These vitamins are all-powerful antioxidants that help support your skin’s overall health. Vitamin A encourages cell turnover, vitamin C brightens the skin and fades dark spots and vitamin E deeply hydrates and nourishes the skin to strengthen its natural protective barrier.
Hydrating and moisturizing ingredients: Most persimmon soaps pair the odor-fighting ingredients with moisturizing or hydrating ingredients to ensure your skin feels soft and supple. Some formulas include shea butter, coconut oil, camellia seed oil, hydrolyzed collagen, olive oil and/or sunflower oil to hydrate and moisturize the skin.
Form
Body Wash
Persimmon body wash usually contains a higher concentration of hydrating or moisturizing ingredients than bars, so it works especially well if you have dry or sensitive skin. Because it usually comes in a squeeze or pump bottle that keeps it uncontaminated, it’s also more hygienic than persimmon bar soap that you have to apply directly to your body.
However, you’ll typically use a liquid or gel faster than you would a soap bar. Plus, persimmon body wash usually costs more, and it isn’t eco-friendly because of its plastic packaging.
Bar
Persimmon soap bars are generally more affordable and last longer than body wash formulas, so they are a good option for those on a budget. They’re also more travel-friendly because you don’t have to worry about leaks in your bag or liquid limits on airlines. Bars have a smaller environmental impact, too, because they often have minimal, biodegradable packaging.
Soap bars aren’t the most hygienic, though, because they have direct contact with your skin. They aren’t always the most hydrating formula, either, so they may not be the best choice for dry or sensitive skin unless they contain plenty of hydrating ingredients.
Skin type
One of the best things about persimmon soap is that its natural formula doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals, fragrances or irritants. That makes it safe for all skin types to use, including sensitive skin. Sensitive and dry skin do best with moisturizing formulas, though, so look for persimmon soaps that contain ingredients like coconut oil, hyaluronic acid or shea butter.
Scents
Persimmon soap typically doesn’t contain any heavy or artificial fragrances. Instead, it usually has a naturally light, clean scent with hints of citrus. Some formulas also incorporate green tea, which can add some grassy or earthy notes to its fragrance. You can find persimmon soap formulas with other scents, such as lavender or lemon, if you prefer a stronger fragrance.
Tips for best results
- Use daily: Persimmon soap works most effectively if you use it regularly. Make it a part of your daily shower or bathing routine, so you can really reap the benefits of its odor-fighting tannins.
- Target “stinky” areas: While you can use persimmon soap all over your body, pay special attention to areas where odor is known to collect. That means you should be especially careful to wash behind your ears, the back of your neck, your armpits, your groin and your feet.
- Let the lather sit: Once you’ve created a rich lather with your persimmon soap, let it sit on your skin for at least 30 seconds. It’s important to give the tannins enough time to bind with the odor-causing molecules and effectively neutralize them.
- Pair it with exfoliation: Using an exfoliating towel or scrub brush with your persimmon soap not only allows you to cleanse and exfoliate at the same time, but it also increases the cleansing action of the soap for better odor control.
- Store bars carefully: If you’re using a persimmon soap bar, storing it properly is key to prolonging its life. Keep it in a dry soap dish when you’re not using it, so it’s not exposed to moisture that can “melt” it. A dish with drainage at the bottom is your best bet.
FAQ
Q. How much does persimmon soap cost?
A. Prices vary based on whether the soap contains the less potent persimmon extract or the more powerful persimmon tannins, as well as the type of formula. Soap bars with persimmon extract are the most affordable, generally ranging from $3 to $10 per bar. Bars with persimmon tannins, on the other hand, can cost as much as $10 to $20 per bar. Persimmon body wash is usually more expensive, with formulas that contain persimmon extract usually costing $8 to $15 and body washes with persimmon tannins ranging from $18 to $35.
Q. What causes “old-person smell” or nonenal?
A. Most of us probably assume that any body odor is due to poor hygiene, but that’s not the case with “old-person smell.” It actually occurs because of a compound called 2-nonenal, which is the result of omega-7 unsaturated fatty acids breaking down on the surface of our skin. After the age of 40, we start to produce more of these fatty acids to help provide antioxidant protection as our skin gets weaker. An increase in the fatty acids means an uptick in the 2-nonenal compound, which usually has a grassy or greasy odor. The nonenal compound isn’t water-soluble, so it can linger if you bathe regularly with regular soaps and body washes.
Q. Do dermatologists recommend persimmon soap?
A. Many dermatologists do recommend persimmon soap, especially to combat nonenal or “old-person” odor. The mechanism behind how it works makes sense since persimmon has long been used in Japanese culture for its deodorizing abilities. However, it’s important to note that there have been few clinical studies studying the effectiveness of persimmon soap for treating nonenal odor, so more research needs to be done.
Q. How long does it take for persimmon soap to work?
A. Some users notice a difference in just one use of the soap. However, it can take up to a week to experience the full results.
Our expertise
Jennifer Blair has covered kitchen, home and lifestyle products for BestReviews since 2017. She has written over 200 articles on topics ranging from ice makers to sunscreen and personally tested various products, including robot vacuums, air fryers and irons. As mentioned above, she never heads to the gym without her persimmon soap, which keeps her feeling her best after a workout.
