Everyone has their reasons for using (or not using) deodorant either antiperspirant, whether to avoid sweating, smelling or giving in to social norms. But if you’re one of those who opts to swipe or spray on one of those products, do you know the difference between them?
Sure, their names give it away: deodorant takes care of odor and antiperspirant takes care of perspiration. But there is more to the story than that. Here’s what you need to know about the difference between deodorant and antiperspirant, and how know which one to use (if you choose to use one).
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Deodorant or antiperspirant, what’s the difference?
What is the difference between antiperspirant and deodorant?
The main difference between antiperspirant and deodorant is the ingredients. The antiperspirants contain compounds based on aluminum that clog sweat ducts and keep the dry armpitstells Good Housekeeping Dr. Lucy Chendermatologist at Riverchase Dermatology.
In some cases, antiperspirants can also decrease the type of bacteria responsible for making sweat smell, but that’s more of a benefit than the point of the product.
The traditional deodorantson the other hand, are formulated to increase the acidity of the skin and kill the bacteria on the skin, more specifically, the bacteria in sweat that give it its pungent scent, Chen explains.
And, as the director of the beauty laboratory of the Good Housekeeping InstituteThe doctor. Birnur-AralThere are also some deodorants that contain fragrances to mask odors without killing bacteria. Either way, deodorant alone won’t stop you from sweating.
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How to choose a good antiperspirant according to each case?
Should I use deodorant or antiperspirant?
According to Chen, both are safe to use, so it largely depends on what you want them to do.
If you are not a person who sweats a lot, or you don’t mind perspiring, a deodorant will do you good. If you’re someone whose sweat doesn’t have a strong odor, but you want to avoid stains, antiperspirant is an option.
And, of course, there are many antiperspirant and deodorant combination products that offer the best of both worlds.