Deodorant or antiperspirant: Which one should you go for?

Unless you’re a hermit, there is a likelihood you will surrounded by people. Whether you’re working from home, hitting the gym or going out for groceries, you will be in the company of others.

And for that reason, you cannot afford to have body odour.

Lucky for you there are products that help with exactly that. Running around smelling like a skunk will almost ensure no one wants to be around you and that is not what you want.

Although used interchangeably, deodorants and antiperspirants are quite different.

The latter prevents you from sweating so bacteria doesn’t grow while the former gets rid of smells from bacteria that form in moist under pits.

So, in summary, deodorants reduce odour while antiperspirants work on preventing both sweat and odour.

Now which one should you go for?

What is your skin type?

Your skin should determine what you can and cannot use so as not to exacerbate pre-existing conditions like eczema or psoriasis which can flare up if you use the wrong product.

If you have sensitive skin or you tend to suffer from dryness, you want to go for a natural, aluminum free deodorant that won’t cause any irritation.

What are you struggling with?

Is body odour your biggest concern or are you sweating too much? This will help you know what to pick. Stick to a deo if you want freshness and antiperspirant if you want to manage sweating.

If you want protection against both, use an antiperspirant deodorant that will do both.

And should you be the type of person who exercises regularly and sweat a lot, you want a strong product that contains at least 10 per cent aluminum chloride or more.

Safety

The issue of certain ingredients such as parabens and aluminum continue to be debated as to whether they are safe for both short- and long-term use.

It is up to you to do your research and find out what the latest research has on these ingredients that many deodorants and antiperspirants contain.

What are you getting?

Are you getting exactly what the product offers? You will be promised 24-hour protection but is that what you are truly getting?

Some will go as far as claiming to be magnesium based all natural yet contain some hidden chemicals in the ingredients.

Your sure bet if you really want an all-organic, natural deo or antiperspirant that actually works is to DIY.

Melt two tablespoons of shea butter and three tablespoons of coconut oil then add three table spoons of baking soda and mix well. To give a sweet scent, add a few drops of your preferred essential oils. Pour into a container and let it cool in the fridge.

Did you know: That deodorant and antiperspirant aren’t the same? It’s okay if you didn’t; most people think they are interchangeable – but they aren’t. Antiperspirants contain aluminium and can block sweating. Deodorants on the other hand do not stop sweating but can help mask, curb, or inhibit odour.