Antiperspirant vs Deodorant: Which One Should You Use?

Following your daily shower, do you use antiperspirant or deodorant? Many people use them interchangeably, even though the two products serve totally different purposes.

In this article, we’ll tackle the great debate, antiperspirant vs deodorant, and answer these common questions. Which one actually prevents smell and which keeps you sweat-free? Deodorant or antiperspirant? In terms of effectiveness, how does antiperspirant compare to deodorant?

Read on to learn about how each product works, the results you should achieve and the best way to apply it.

Deodorant: What it is & How it Works

Deodorant is designed to prevent (or mask) body odor. Body odor typically occurs when the bacteria in your skin mixes with the proteins and fats found in the sweat your body produces. Deodorant neutralizes the threat of odor by killing the bacteria that grows on your skin. By doing so, it takes away the component that mixes with sweat to create an offensive odor.

Deodorant is designed specifically to use on your armpits. There are conflicting opinions whether deodorant is safe to apply to other areas of the body. In which case, body powder may be the safest bet.

Antiperspirant: What it is & How it Works

Antiperspirant is designed to prevent (or block) sweat. The average body has hundreds of thousands of sweat glands, with a high concentration of glands being located in the armpits, the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. Our bodies rely on all our sweat glands to regulate temperature. As such, we sweat for many reasons like physical exertion, heat, emotional agitation, or stress. In some cases, sweating can be uncontrollable and excessive.

Antiperspirants block sweat by plugging the sweat glands. When the aluminum salts found in antiperspirants come into contact with sweat, a gel forms and coats the sweat glands. This gel plugs the glands, reducing the amount of sweat that can be released to the surface.

Many people use antiperspirant and deodorant interchangeably, even though they serve totally different purposes.

Unlike deodorant, an antiperspirant can be applied anywhere on the body affected by sweat: the armpits, back, chest, feet and/or hands.

Deodorant vs Antiperspirant

Now that you know how deodorants and antiperspirants work, you may be wondering, should I use deodorant or antiperspirant? To ensure you get the best result, consider the reason(s) you are using the product in the first place.

If your biggest challenge is body odor and you want to neutralize the smell, deodorant is your best option. However, if you sweat heavily or struggle with sweat stains, antiperspirant is your best bet.

If you experience both excessive sweat and body odor, then antiperspirants should be your first line of defense. Because the odor-producing bacteria need sweat to kick off the chain reaction, antiperspirants will keep the sweat – and odor – at bay.

Many people use antiperspirant and deodorant interchangeably, even though they serve totally different purposes.

How to Properly Apply Antiperspirant or Deodorant

To get the best performance, be sure to correctly apply your deodorant or antiperspirant. While you may have learned to swipe it on your armpits in the morning while dressing, you may be missing out on receiving the full benefits. Instead, follow these simple steps:

1. Apply it at night.

The best time to apply deodorant or antiperspirant is at night to allow it to set in. If you apply it in the morning, you might start sweating before the product has a chance to take effect.

2. Make sure your armpits are dry.

When you apply deodorant or antiperspirant to a wet surface, it is difficult for the product to set into your skin and take effect. Make sure your armpits are completely dry before applying.

3. Apply a thin layer.

Be careful not to over-apply your deodorant or antiperspirant.

• If using a can, shake thoroughly and spray a short even burst into your armpit from 6 inches away.
• If using a stick or roll-on, apply two or three strokes to each pit.

4. Allow to dry before dressing.

Wait a few minutes to ensure that your deodorant or antiperspirant is dry before putting on clothing. If you get dressed while it is still wet, it may be wiped off on your clothing, making it ineffective and staining your clean clothes.

Another tip to get the best performance from your antiperspirant or deodorant is to shave your armpits. This helps the product reach your skin more effectively.

Now that you know the difference between deodorant and antiperspirant, you can confidently select the best product to help prevent body odor or sweat. Many brands offer scented and unscented varieties to best suit your preference. By following our steps for proper application, you can expect to achieve the best results.

If your deodorant or antiperspirant does not provide all day protection, try out an Ejis sweat proof undershirt (buy in our shop or on Amazon). Our sweat proof undershirts are designed to protect your shirts from sweat marks and stains. They are also infused with real silver to help fight odor-causing bacteria.