Is knowing the difference between antiperspirant vs. deodorant an excellent knowledge to acquire? It is a funny question, right! I could say yes, but that answer wouldn’t satisfy you, so you will have to decide as we progress with this post.
The truth is you need to understand everything both a deodorant and antiperspirant can do to know which to choose that suits your body. The bottom line is whichever should be able to keep you smelling fresh all day. Antiperspirant and deodorant are cosmetics staples that almost everyone uses.
I sometimes forget to check the tag if it’s an antiperspirant or deodorant. And I am not the only guilty one, as many people use the two items interchangeably without knowing the function and difference. Not to worry, all that is about to change because, in this post, we will compare antiperspirant vs. deodorant.
Antiperspirant vs. Deodorant: Differences
While it might seem like both products are the same, they are different in ingredient content and effectiveness.
A deodorant will only protect you from smelling by preventing odors from coming out. That means the product is designed to mask your smell with the fragrance of the deodorant. You will most likely find mild ingredients and sweet-smelling fragrances.
Although deodorants may not block your sweat, they contain antimicrobial ingredients that limit the number of bacteria that causes the body to produce odor. In the beauty industry, deodorants get placed with cosmetics, unlike the others.
On the other hand, antiperspirant keeps odors at bay and prevents you from sweating. Most antiperspirant contains aluminum as the star ingredient that makes your pit dry. Although it is very active in protecting you from sweating, many people do not like it because aluminum can react to certain skins.
Aluminum is also potent since it blocks the eccrine glands responsible for making you sweat. Antiperspirant gets grouped with drugs because their contents must pass the regulations of the FDA.
Antiperspirant vs. Deodorant: Similarities
Both products can partially serve the same purpose when applied under your arms. The end goal is to ensure your pits stay smelling fresh. Some brands combine the power of both formulas to create a star product.
They are both safe for everyday use to have you smelling your best. You only must watch out for some other harmful ingredients that your skin may react to.
Which One Should You Choose?
You might still get confused about which product to choose with all you have read. It’s all a matter of preference and need, as you wear whichever. Sometimes it is better to have both handy for different activities and seasons. You can work with deodorant if you have nothing causing you to sweat.
In hotter seasons, like the summer, you will most likely sweat a lot, so you’ll need an antiperspirant to hold off the sweat. Even on days when you have a lot of activities, like a day filled with meetings, you need antiperspirants to keep sweat from dumping your clothes. Brand like Dove and Native has worked hard to deliver safe products free from harmful chemicals I can trust.
Antiperspirant vs. Deodorant: Benefits
You might be wondering if it is beneficial to use such products on your body; the answer is yes. If it wasn’t helpful, then why are so many people invested in using it daily. Below are some reasons why your next antiperspirant or deodorant purchase is worth buying.
Benefits of Deodorant
One thing is sure everyone sweats but on different intensity levels. However, you don’t have to sweat profusely before the odors start coming out. Sweat carries waste from your body like every other waste product; it is bound to smell, but the work itself doesn’t smell so bad. It does so when bacteria on your skin breaks it down.
It can be very embarrassing to walk around with such smells. This is where deodorants come in to help you tame the odors and smell friendly based on the fragrance it contains. When you smell great, it affects other areas of your life; you will be more confident about chasing your goals.
You won’t have to be self-conscious or second guess giving your all-in physical activities. You become more sociable and live a fun-filled life without worrying about body odors.
Benefits of Antiperspirant
Since brands realized that sweat was the culprit responsible for the nasty smell our pits produce, they made a product to block the sweat from coming out. When bacteria do not get any sweat to act on, there is no cause for alarm. So, in simple terms, no sweat equals no smell, but they took it a step further to ensure you still get to smell great through it all.
You must bear in mind that antiperspirant product is not going to prevent you from sweating forever. Most brands offer 24-48 hours of protection, and now some push it up to 72 hours. I doubt the effectiveness of such products. That’s because the antiperspirant will wash off when you bathe, and thus you start sweating again.
So, if you have physical activities like exercises, errands, or even a busy day full of meetings, antiperspirant is a sure way to keep your underarms dry and smelling fresh.
Antiperspirant vs. Deodorant: Risk/ Side Effects
In the debate of antiperspirants vs. deodorants, there are always risks, from minor to more serious ones. Most side effects develop because of the ingredients used in formulating them. The most common side effect is an allergic reaction triggered by the fragrance contained in the formula.
This issue gets easily solved by opting for fragrance-free versions that are still effective. Another thing several people have noticed from using antiperspirants and deodorants is contact dermatitis. Both products are on the top of the charts for causing skin reaction problems.
In more severe cases, many people have tried to link deodorants and antiperspirants to cancer; this made several people stop using them. At some point, some brands were adding some ingredients that have traces of carcinogens, which have all gotten regulated. Also, research shows that those grounds are not enough to cause cancer. However, one needs to be careful when choosing a product to use.
What to Avoid When Buying Antiperspirants and Deodorants?
Both products came as a need to help us smell better, but in the process of making them, some added ingredients can become harmful to the skin. The risks associated with using deodorants and antiperspirant is in the elements.
Parabens: It is a widely used preservative in many cosmetics products to extend the shelf life. They are harmful because the skin absorbs them and messes with the estrogen. Parabens are also linked to breast cancer, so many brands are now choosing to make paraben-free products.
Isobutane and Butane: Both are gases that help spray products come out from a canister. While they propel aerosol, the gases are linked to reproductive toxicity and cancer. Countries like Canada and U.K have regulated its usage, but the U.S approves of its use. So, you will most likely find products containing them; if you feel they concern you, watch out for them.
Phthalates: This is a common chemical some brands choose to add to their products to extend the fragrance life and enhance the flexibility of the overall formula. Avoid any product that contains such ingredients as it affects the function of the endocrine system in men. In women, it interferes with puberty and increases the possibility of breast cancer.
Aluminum: You hardly find any antiperspirant without aluminum since they are an active ingredient that blocks off your sweat ducts. Aluminum is not a concern to most people as it is still widely used, but it can increase the risk of developing tumors.
Diethanolamine: Many brands list it as DEA on the packaging; this ingredient is very carcinogenic. You hardly find a formula with it, but it is not wrong to watch out for it.
When next you go shopping for your beauty products or shopping online, always read the labels for content. There you can find out know which brands and products to eliminate.
What to read next:
–20 Best Deodorant Brands Of All Time Worth Your Money
–Does Deodorant Expire: Here Are The Best 17 Deodorants For Women
–Ivory Deodorant: Is It The Best Deodorant to Rid Smells?
