To keep your underarms fresh, you've probably gone on a search for deodorant. But while browsing personal care items, you might come across both antiperspirant and deodorant. Is there actually a difference between these two terms? The answer is yes! Below, we break down the differences between both as well as their pros and cons.
The Difference Between Deodorant and Antiperspirant
So what's the deal with deodorant vs. antiperspirant anyway? Let's talk about sweat. Sweating is the body's way of cooling down, and it's perfectly natural. Our armpits feature a high density of sweat glands, so that's why we tend to get sweaty under our arms when we get hot. Since it's just water and salt, sweat itself doesn't inherently have a strong smell, but bacteria on the armpits can leave a less than desirable odor.
Essentially, you can tell the difference between deodorants and antiperspirants by looking at their names. Deodorants neutralize odor while antiperspirants prevent you from perspiring, or sweating, while also usually eliminating odor. Deodorant typically has an alcohol base and turns your skin acidic to attract less bacteria. On the other hand, what does an antiperspirant do? Antiperspirants are commonly aluminum-based, blocking sweat pores to reduce how much sweat you produce. Many products marketed as "deodorant" actually combine a deodorant and antiperspirant, so it's important to read labels closely.
Making the Switch to an Aluminum-Free Deodorant
In recent years, consumers have become concerned about the presence of aluminum inside of antiperspirants. And so, many have made the switch to aluminum-free deodorant. Aluminum-free deodorant doesn't block pores or prevent your body from sweating. Instead, it takes advantage of botanical ingredients to help neutralize odor-causing bacteria.
The transition to natural deodorant can be a bit difficult, but that shouldn't discourage you from using it. To make the switch to natural deodorant, you can take a few steps to ease the process. Before committing to natural deodorant, keep things fresh under your armpits with diluted tea tree oil to help eliminate odors, or pamper your underarms with a Cucumber Charcoal Face Mask to draw out impurities. One of the easiest ways to help with the transition into an aluminum-free deodorant is by wearing airy, breathable natural fabrics such as cotton and silk to keep your underarms as fresh as possible — synthetic fabrics will likely trap moisture instead. Read more of our tips on making the switch here!
Incorporate a natural deodorant into your daily personal care routine to feel wonder-full! At Desert Essence, we make our aluminum-free deodorants with antibacterial botanical extracts and premium essential oils. Free from aluminum and worrisome ingredients, our deodorants offer lasting odor protection with natural botanicals. Coming in different scents, they're infused with inherently cleansing tea tree oil and contain astringent witch hazel to neutralize odor-causing bacteria. You can pick from uplifting scents such as lemon tea tree, tea tree oil lavender and spring fresh.