What you need to know about Deodorant vs Antiperspirant

What’s the difference between deodorant and antiperspirant?

For proper context, it is helps to start with the three basic reasons that cause us to sweat. The first is to cool us down when the temperature of wherever we are is hot. The second reason is that the body responds to physical exertion from  exercise and begins sweating to cool us down. The third is different from the other two and is triggered when the body gets stress signals, such as an intense meeting at work, or when you get a text from your significant other that reads, "we need to talk." 

For the first two reasons you sweat (heat and exercise), your body’s eccrine glands kick in. Eccrine glands are located virtually all over your skin, and they typically release a mixture of water and salts (like sodium and potassium…the same electrolytes you want to replenish after a workout)

However, when you’re stressed, your apocrine glands kick in. Apocrine glands are more highly concentrated on the parts of your body that naturally have hair, such as your armpits and around your genitals. The sweat released from your apocrine glands is also initially odorless. Unlike sweat from your eccrine glands, apocrine sweat also contains lipids and proteins, which are great food for the bacteria that is present on your body. So, most of the “b.o. smell” that people associate with sweat is not coming directly from one’s sweat, but rather from the bacteria feeding on their sweat.

There are really two ways to combat odor. One is to prevent sweat from accumulating at all, at the other is to make your body less hospitable to the bacteria that cause unpleasant odors.

 Aluminum antiperspirants block your body’s sweat glands, which keep them from producing sweat. Less sweat, means drier body hair and skin, less ability for bacteria to grow, and ultimately less odor.

Deodorants can work in a number of ways, including the use of salts and minerals, which can make your skin and hair less friendly to the smelly bacteria. Additionally, plant enzymes, such as aloe vera have antimicrobial properties which also prevent the growth of bacteria. Deodorants may also contain absorptive ingredients that help prevent wetness. And finally, most deodorants also include additional fragrance which is designed to not only keep one from smelling bad, but even helping to make one smell good.

Is antiperspirant dangerous to your health?  What other reasons are there to switch?  

Many people have begun to switch from antiperspirants to aluminum-free deodorants, citing health concerns. While some people experience allergies or irritation as the result of aluminum in antiperspirants, there is no conclusive evidence that antiperspirant is harmful to your long-term.

Even so, there may be other benefits to switching to aluminum-free deodorant. Antiperspirants can cause staining with some fabrics. Additionally, sweating is a natural part of what your body does. So long as you smell good, why work to stop it?

I have heard about a "transition period" to aluminum-free deodorant? What's that about? 

If you’re making the switch from an aluminum antiperspirant to a natural deodorant, be patient. As your pores begin to reopen (after being stopped up for years in many people’s cases) you might notice that you need to reapply once or twice per day as your body starts to adjust. After a couple of weeks, your body’s sweat glands and biome should find its new normal, and you’ll likely be happy with the change!

Anything else I should know? 

Whether you're wearing an antiperspirant or aluminum-free deodorant, odds are that it is heavily scented. For some, that's a great thing. But, if you have gone to the effort and expense of buying and wearing a cologne or perfume you really like, don't let the experience get muddled and ruined by wearing a clashing scent from your deodorant. Because we believe fine fragrance is such an important part of feeling your best, we created our line of deodorants in scents  that match back to our best-selling solid fine fragrances. Want to learn more? Check them out here. 








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