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Reader Question – Jade Medeiros, Três Corações, MG
The antiperspirant (or antiperspirant) inhibits perspiration and the deodorant only perfumes. Both usually have bactericidal action, which also fights bad smell. To understand better, you need to know that sweat doesn’t smell bad. The bacteria that feed on it produce carboxylic acids, which are really smelly. Deodorants attempt to mask odors with scents, and some also contain sodium bicarbonate, which reacts with carboxylic acids to produce unscented salts. Most antiperspirants contain aluminum salts, which temporarily close the sweat (sweat-producing) glands, reducing sweating.
The world against the cece
Learn about the history of fighting underarms
Deodorant emerged at the end of the 19th century in the USA. The first was Mum, a zinc oxide wax. Before that, each people disguised the stink of armpits in a different way. The Romans put scented pads after bathing and the Egyptians bathed with oils, fats and flavored soaps.
Sources Book Chemistry in the Approach to Everyday Lifeby Tito Peruzzo and Eduardo Canto, and History of the World website
Consultancy Silvia Zimbres, dermatologist
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