The
basic difference between deodorant and antiperspirant is
fairly easy to tell just by the words. A deodorant covers
or eliminates body odor, while an antiperspirant is used
to discourage the body from sweating.
To
understand how these products work, it helps to first
understand why bodies smell in the first place. It is a
popular misunderstanding that sweat, itself, smells. In
healthy people, this isn`t true. What causes body odor is
when bacteria residing on the skin starts to feed on sweat,
usually the fatty sweat that`s secreted by the apocrine
glands. These glands usually become active after puberty (when
teens start using deodorant/antiperspirant), and are
especially triggered by feeling nervous or aroused.
Deodorants use germ-killing chemicals, usually alcohol,
which kill bacteria on contact to eliminate the resulting
odor. Usually, deodorants also have fragrances in them to
mask whatever smell they may have missed.
An
antiperspirant uses aluminum compounds to close the ducts
of sweat glands, keeping bacteria from digesting the sweat
and producing foul odors. In this process, aluminum
compounds can also commonly cause allergic reactions in
some people. Aluminum has been identified as a neurotoxin,
and has been linked to Alzheimer`s disease.
There
has additionally been some controversy about whether
parabens, found in deodorant and antiperspirants, might
play a role in breast cancer development. Traces of
parabens, used as preservatives, have been found in tissue
samples of breast tumors, but it hasn`t been shown yet if
the use of parabens actually causes cancer.
Commenting on the completely product-free point of view,
it may not be fair to expect a human body to not smell a
little during the day. To be accepted in almost any social
circle, a choice must be made between which weapon you
want to use against body odor. Although deodorant easily
seems the more natural way to go, antiperspirant has its
benefits. Sweat can easily seep through light colored
clothing and become an embarrassment people can see rather
than smell. If you plan on being in an uneasy situation
with light clothing (i.e. a business presentation in a
white dress shirt), it might be better to opt for
antiperspirant for the day if you normally prefer
deodorant.
If
parabens or aluminum compounds sound unappealing, they
aren`t in every product. There are a few natural choices
for odor control, including active ingredients like salt
stick, baking soda, and coriander oil. Whatever you opt
for, check consumer reviews for effectiveness before
buying; you don`t want to get caught in a sweaty situation
with snake-oil under your arms. It may also be necessary,
just like any other hygiene product, to try a few out to
find a brand that`s best suited for your body type.
