Deodorant vs Antiperspirant: Know The Difference

Have you ever gone to buy a fragrance and were asked whether you were looking for a deodorant or an antiperspirant? Did that leave you wondering what is the difference between the two? Well, you’re not alone. A lot of people assume that deodorant and antiperspirant are the same thing. But that couldn’t be farther from the reality because these are two different products with different roles and purposes.   

Deodorant vs Antiperspirant: Key Differences

So, before you select one over the other, it is better to understand the core differences between them:

What is a Deodorant?

The primary function of deodorants is to combat body odour. Surprisingly, it is not your sweat that smells. Body odor is the result of sweat proteins and fats mixing with the bacteria on your skin. That’s what deodorants work to control. Deodorants have ingredients aimed to reduce bacteria production. Therefore, deodorants are applied on areas where these odour-causing bacteria thrive most such as in your armpits. Hence, deodorants can control body odour but not the wetness or perspiration caused due to sweating. 

Common Ingredients in Deodorants

• Cetyl Alcohol
• Hydrolyzed corn starch
• Propylene glycol
• Fragrance
• Cyclomethicone
• Dimethicone

How and When to Use Deodorant?

If body odour is your main concern, deodorants are the ideal choice. The following tips will help you use the deodorants right way for optimal results: 

• The best time to apply deodorant is after taking a shower but remember to dry yourself completely first 
• If body odour is a serious issue for you, you can apply deodorant multiple times in the day to keep the smell masked up. But don’t go overboard with the quantity you spray on yourself. Just a few puffs will do the job.  
• There is a range of options for deodorants for women and men, so make sure you choose one that suits your skin type. For sensitive skin, natural deodorants with mild fragrance are recommended. 

What is an Antiperspirant?

If excessive sweating disturbs you, then you need an antiperspirant and not a deodorant. The primary function of antiperspirants is to control sweating and perspiration. The active ingredients like aluminum in antiperspirants work to block your sweat glands. When aluminum gets into contact with sweat it forms a gel that dissolves moisture and reduces sweating to a great extent. Given the wide range of antiperspirant formulations, it is always advisable to select according to your sweat level. 

Common Ingredients in Antiperspirants

• Types of aluminum – aluminum chlorohydrate, aluminum sulfate, aluminum zirconium trichlorohydrex glycine, aluminum hydroxybromid, sodium aluminum chlorohydroxy lactate
• Mineral salts
• Witch Hazel

How and When to Use Antiperspirant?

Here are the best tips to apply antiperspirant in the right manner: 

• Ideally, one should apply antiperspirant after taking a shower or before going to bed. Using it just before going out won’t work because active ingredients take time to kick in. 
• Unlike deodorants, you can apply antiperspirants to any part of your body. 
• Most antiperspirants ensure protection up to 48 hours so it is likely you won’t need reapplication unless you sweat excessively. 

Now that you know all about the deodorant vs antiperspirant differences, put this newly acquired knowledge to good use to make informed choices about products that work best for your body.