Antiperspirant or deodorant: what is the difference and what to choose?
What is the difference between deodorant and antiperspirant and how they work.
The average person loses at least half a litre of fluid with sweat per day, not counting physical activity. However, increased sweating is often accompanied by an unpleasant odour, which is why most people regularly use deodorants or antiperspirants. Despite the similarities, these products work on different principles, writes The Conversation.
Why sweat is odourless
Sweat itself doesn't smell. It is produced by the eccrine and apocrine sweat glands. Eccrine glands are located all over the body and secrete mainly water with dissolved salts - such sweat is responsible for thermoregulation and does not cause odour.
Apocrine glands are located mainly in the armpits and groin. Their secretion contains proteins, fats and sugars. Odour does not appear immediately: it is caused by bacteria living on the skin, which process these substances and release volatile compounds with a pungent odour. The activity of the apocrine glands increases after puberty.
How antiperspirants work
Antiperspirants reduce the amount of sweat produced. They usually contain salts of aluminium or zirconium. These substances interact with the moisture in the sweat ducts and form temporary plugs that reduce the release of sweat to the surface of the skin.
As a result, bacteria are deprived of the nutritious environment they need to multiply, reducing the likelihood of odour.
How deodorants work
Deodorants do not prevent sweating. Their job is to prevent odour or make it less pronounced. This is achieved by using antimicrobial ingredients, neutralising odorous molecules, changing the acidity of the skin or masking the smell with fragrances.
Some formulas also aim to inhibit the biochemical processes by which bacteria produce odorous compounds.
Combination products and choice
Combination products that combine the properties of deodorant and antiperspirant are widely available on the market. The choice depends on the individual characteristics of the body, the level of sweating and skin sensitivity.
If it is necessary only to eliminate odour, a deodorant is enough. If it is important to reduce sweating, you should choose an antiperspirant.
What we know about "natural" deodorants
Scientific evidence does not support the health hazards of aluminium-containing antiperspirants. Nevertheless, "natural" deodorants remain popular. They often contain baking soda, essential oils and plant extracts that inhibit bacterial growth or reduce skin moisture.
Experts note that the natural origin of ingredients does not always mean greater safety: some are less well studied, and bacterial resistance can develop to both synthetic and natural antimicrobial substances.