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Deodorant and antiperspirant sound like the same product and people use them to accomplish the same basic mission: stop underarm body odor. Both options can be effective, but they work in different ways.
Is one healthier than the other? For something that goes in your armpit, there’s a lot to ponder.
“Sweat itself does not smell,” Dr. Adam Friedman, professor and chair of dermatology at The George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences, tells TODAY.com.
“It’s that the normal bacteria that live on our skin in this particular location convert something in the sweat to something else, and that’s what smells.”
“Body odor is unique to you — nobody smells exactly the same,” adds Dr. Susan Massick, a board-certified dermatologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
And when it comes to underarm products, what you choose to use might be unique to you, too. Here’s what the experts say:
The big difference is the ingredients.
Deodorant only focuses on body odor — it has no effect on perspiration. This product contains fragrances to neutralize odors and bacteria by creating a more acidic pH on the skin, Massick notes. It may also contain antimicrobial ingredients.
An antiperspirant actually blocks sweating with active ingredients such as aluminum chloride or aluminum zirconium so there's no wetness.
“The aluminum forms almost like a plug in the openings where the sweat comes out,” Friedman says.
Antiperspirants are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, whereas deodorants are not, Massick notes. They’re often sold together in a single compounded product, she adds.
Yes, both dermatologists say.
Rumors once swirled about the aluminum in antiperspirants possibly playing a role in developing breast cancer and Alzheimer’s disease, but those claims have been debunked, they note.
There’s no scientific evidence linking the use of aluminum-containing antiperspirants to the development of breast cancer, the National Cancer Institute explains, pointing to a 2014 review of studies.
Studies have also failed to show aluminum plays any role in causing Alzheimer’s, and most experts believe it doesn’t pose any threat, according to the Alzheimer’s Association, which puts the claim in its “Myths” section.
“The rumors swirling about the safety of these products are unfounded. There is no evidence showing any link between antiperspirants and breast cancer or Alzheimer’s dementia,” Massick says.
But it’s possible to develop an irritation or be allergic to the ingredients in an antiperspirant or deodorant, which can show up as an armpit rash.
“Overall, inherently these products are safe, but it’s very specific to the actual ingredients,” Friedman adds.
He recommends doing a test with any new product — applying it to a small spot on the skin to make sure you respond well to it before applying it to the whole armpit. Stick with brands from well-known companies rather than unknown products pitched by online influencers, he says.
There’s no one perfect product — it comes down to your preference and what works best for you without causing irritation, the dermatologists say.
“Antiperspirants with aluminum chloride are the most effective at blocking sweat. But when used frequently at higher concentrations, these products may cause skin irritation, sensitivity and rash,” Massick says.
“Avoiding products with aluminum is a personal choice, but the tradeoff may be less effective sweat protection.”
The dermatologists recommend avoiding aerosol sprays since their propellants, typically a volatile liquid that forces the deodorant out in spray form, can be irritating.
“Sprays are easy, just like sunscreen. But they can cause more problems,” Friedman says.
It sounds odd, but the best time to apply an antiperspirant is at night before bed for maximum effectiveness, both experts say. That’s because antiperspirants are more effective the longer they're in contact with skin, Massick says.
People also sweat less at night.
“It actually gives the aluminum a chance to make a home for itself in those openings and plug them so the sweat is not coming out,” Friedman explains.
“You can try using antiperspirant in the morning. It just doesn’t work as well as if you use it at night.”
Yes, though sweat control on the palms is harder because the skin there is much thicker, which makes it harder for the aluminum to form a plug.
For people with palmar hyperhidrosis — chronic excessive sweating in the hands and other body parts — prescription approaches are usually needed, Friedman says. That includes oral medications and Botox injections.
The dermatologists are not proponents of products marketed as “whole body” or “full body” deodorants meant to be applied to areas beyond armpits.
“I am very against this full-body deodorant fad,” Friedman says. “There’s a lot more opportunity on broader surface areas for things to go wrong,” like developing an irritation or absorbing more chemicals through the skin.
Whole-body deodorants aren’t necessary, Massick says, and she doesn’t necessarily advocate for them, but considers the products a personal choice to try if a person is concerned about body odor in “hotspots” such as the groin and feet.