Antiperspirants are cosmetic products that reduce sweating, while deodorants are used to mask body odor. Antiperspirants work by blocking sweat pores, which reduces the amount of perspiration that reaches the skin. The active ingredients in antiperspirants usually include aluminum-based compounds that temporarily plug up sweat ducts. Deodorants, on the other hand, work by increasing the skins acidity, which odor-causing bacteria dont like. They offer two forms of protection against odor: antimicrobial properties that reduce the number of bacteria producing odor, and a fragrance that masks odor that is produced.
There have been rumors linking antiperspirants to cancer and Alzheimers disease, but there is no scientific evidence to suggest that antiperspirant ingredients pose any sort of health risk. Both antiperspirants and deodorants are approved as safe for everyday use without posing the risk of harmful side effects. However, some people may prefer to avoid certain ingredients, such as aluminum and parabens, and opt for more natural alternatives.
The key ingredients in antiperspirants include aluminum-based compounds, while deodorants have no active ingredients. Other ingredients commonly found in antiperspirants and deodorants include fragrances, which are used to mask body odor, and preservatives such as parabens. It is important to note that most major brands of antiperspirants are paraben-free these days, though the preservative is still found in some products such as makeup, moisturizers, shaving products, and hair products.
