DEODORANT VS ANTIPERSPIRANT: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
You started looking into what deodorant you're using. You've scoured half the internet and discovered that deodorants and antiperspirants aren’t the same thing. But wait...
Antiperspirants might also be deodorants? Deodorants make you sweat? What exactly are aluminium salts? Are antiperspirants toxic??
By this point, you might’ve already thrown your phone halfway across your room and given up. We get it.
When choosing the right deodorant or antiperspirant, you need the right information. Not only to ensure you smell great, but feel great too. So we’ve put together a quick guide so you can understand the differences and choose the right one for you!
Sweat itself is generally odourless. But it provides a gorgeous, moist, breeding ground for bacteria. This bacteria breaks down sweat into smaller, odorous molecules.
But why do we only smell from our underarms and groin when we sweat?Well, there are two types of sweat glands on the body:
Eccrine glands, which are all over the body, where the sweat is watery and helps regulate body temperature. It’s quickly and easily wicked away from the skin.
Apocrine glands, which are located in the underarms and groin, which produce a thicker, milky sweat full of fatty acids and protein; and boy do the bacteria on our skin LOVE that. It’s a warm, moist (there’s that word again) place for bacteria to thrive and produce smelly by-products.
That’s why deodorants and antiperspirants were invented. But, what are the differences between them?
THE OG: DEODORANTS
Deodorants are used to target bad body odours without blocking your sweat glands. You will still sweat, but the ingredients in the deodorant should stop you from smelling.
Most main-stream deodorants use alcohol to kill bacteria, and fragrance to mask smells. Aerosol deodorants are mostly made up of propellants to actually get the product out of the can; and aerosols are the biggest contributor to air-pollution in the UK, above vehicles!
The downside of using deodorants is that alcohol-based ones might cause irritation if you’ve got sensitive skin, and they won’t stop you from sweating. But read on for our advice, because there are some natural deodorants that keep you feeling dry.
ANTIPERSPIRANT DRAMA?
When it comes to antiperspirants, there’s a bit more to say (but don’t worry we’ll keep it simple).
Antiperspirants are considered a “medical” application by the FDA because they contain a specific ingredient: aluminium salts (not to be confused with aluminium metal). Aluminium salts block sweat glands and “prevent” you from sweating. However, sweating is a normal bodily function to regulate body temperature, so if you’re not sweating from your underarms, often you’ll sweat more elsewhere.
Antiperspirants also have deodorising qualities — working double-duty to stop you sweating AND smelling badly.
The ingredients used in antiperspirants are often a cause for concern for many people, but there are no studies linking aluminium salts with breast cancer or alzheimer's disease. However the biggest issues of antiperspirant are:
- It causes yellow stains that don’t wash out of clothing, leading to a “throw away” culture of fast fashion. Imagine being able to keep your garments for longer and how much money you would save! Let alone helping the planet.
- Many people experience dry, cracked and damaged skin
- It can irritate skin and cause rashes
- Your body can work “overtime” to produce sweat to cool you down, leading to many people believing they have hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)
- It is not safe for use for some people with kidney issues*
*You can also read more about it here.
WE RECOMMEND…
Oh well, if you ask us! Whilst natural deodorants tend to receive some bad rep, AKT is the UK’s most awarded deodorant for a reason.
Our unique formula, Deo-Barrier Complex™ , is designed to help you feel fresh and dry all day. It transforms from a luxurious, skin-nourishing balm into a dry, invisible powder: actively protecting, deodorising, and absorbing perspiration all day – without blocking your pores, staining clothes or causing irritation.
Because it absorbs perspiration and keeps you feeling dry, we believe it's "as powerful as an antiperspirant," but without the pore-blocking, garment-damaging aluminium salts. Think about it: every time you purchase an antiperspirant, you’re likely having to spend more to replace damaged clothing.
AKT’s The Deodorant Balm comes in 100% plastic-free, recyclable packaging too – including our bespoke aluminium caps! You can use The Assistant tube key to extract every last drop of this precious product, then simply place it into your kerbside recycling. Think about how many roll-ons and sprays you’ve used over the years… all now in the landfill!
With five premium fragrances to choose from (and an unfragranced option too), you can use AKT all over the body – from your forehead to underarms, chest, and thighs. This "life-changing" deodorant delivers effective, all-day protection wherever you need it with one application that truly lasts all day.
So, no more time browsing the internet for the best deodorant — because you’ve found it!
Try AKT today, and subscribe for 15% OFF and free delivery.
