Do you understand antiperspirants and deodorants?

Deodorants and antiperspirants are commonly used to reduce body odor. However, not everyone knows the difference between deodorant and antiperspirant. If users do not clearly understand each type of product, they may choose the wrong product and not achieve the desired effect. Join APi to learn about deodorants and antiperspirants so you can choose the right product for your needs!

1. Learn about antiperspirants and deodorants

Sometimes we use deodorants and antiperspirants every day without knowing the difference between them. In fact, deodorants and antiperspirants are two different products with different properties and mechanisms of action.

Deodorants work to reduce odor while antiperspirants work to reduce the amount of sweat. Both of these products are used primarily for the underarm area and are often combined in the same product.

Deodorants are considered cosmetics while antiperspirants are considered a medicine. This means that antiperspirants are more strictly controlled.

Deodorants help reduce odors by containing antibacterial ingredients that help reduce the number of odor-causing bacteria and fragrances that help mask body odor. Meanwhile, antiperspirants have the mechanism of blocking eccrine sweat glands in the skin and preventing sweat secretion.

Ingredients such as aluminum and parabens have caused concern in the use of body care products, so more and more people are turning to products containing natural ingredients. However, deodorants and antiperspirants have been shown to be safe and harmless for daily use. Both the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Cancer Institute have confirmed that deodorants and antiperspirants do not increase the risk of cancer.

However, if you want to use products that contain natural ingredients, there are many options available today such as deodorants and antiperspirants made from essential oils, thyme and rock salts. These ingredients have antibacterial properties and do not irritate the skin like chemical ingredients. Additionally, if you have any abnormalities on your skin, stop using the product and consult a doctor.

In short, when choosing a product to reduce body odor, you need to clearly understand the difference between deodorant and antiperspirant and choose the product that suits your needs and intended use. Or if you haven't chosen a suitable product yet, there may be some APi Armpit Lipstick products with a variety of scents suitable for men and women with a fragrance duration of up to 72 hours.

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2. Advantages of antiperspirants and deodorants

Advantages of antiperspirants

Sweating is a natural process of the body to regulate temperature, however, producing too much sweat will lead to feelings of embarrassment and discomfort, affecting daily activities. Antiperspirants are used to prevent sweat production by blocking sweat glands from working, minimizing sweating and minimizing body odor.

However, it should be noted that the effectiveness of antiperspirants is temporary and requires frequent reapplication to maintain effectiveness throughout the day. If the antiperspirant is washed off in the shower, the sweat glands will become active again and sweat production will resume as normal.

Therefore, using antiperspirants is a temporary solution to minimize sweating and body odor, creating a feeling of greater comfort and confidence in daily activities.

Advantages of deodorant

Sweat is inherently odorless, but when it is decomposed by bacteria on the skin, it can create an unpleasant odor and cause loss of confidence. Body odor is not an uncommon problem, which is why deodorants were developed.

Deodorants not only help reduce body odor but also provide a pleasant fragrance thanks to aromatherapy. Using deodorant will help increase confidence in people with unpleasant body odor and improve social communication skills.

When you use deodorant before exercising, you will no longer have to worry about body odor when you sweat a lot and can exercise more effectively. However, it should be noted that the effects of deodorant are temporary and require frequent reapplication to maintain effectiveness throughout the day.

3. Be careful when using antiperspirants and deodorants

Studies have shown that deodorants and antiperspirants do not increase the risk of cancer as many people think. However, before using this substance, some other issues need to be considered. These products may contain fragrance. If you are allergic to fragrance, you must read the ingredient list carefully when choosing to buy.

Using scented deodorants or antiperspirants may increase your risk of allergic contact dermatitis. One study found that deodorants and antiperspirants are the products that most commonly cause skin allergies. However, not all deodorants and antiperspirants cause this problem. The risk of an allergic reaction depends on the ingredients in the product. Therefore, it is very important to carefully read the information on the product label when buying and avoid ingredients that you are allergic to.

Here are some ingredients to look out for in deodorants and antiperspirants:

• Triclosan: This antibacterial is used in antiperspirants and deodorants to kill odor-causing bacteria on the skin. However, triclosan can cause hormone disruption by acting like natural hormones in the body and interfering with hormone signaling. Triclosan has also been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. The FDA has banned the use of triclosan in hand soaps, but the ingredient is still used in deodorants or antiperspirants, so it's important to read product labels carefully.

• Phthalates: This group of chemicals is found in many cosmetics and skin care products, including deodorants and antiperspirants. Phthalates help increase the potency of other ingredients and prolong the shelf life of fragrances and deodorants that are often made from chemical compounds such as aldehydes, ketones, esters, and other synthetic ingredients. However, many of these can cause skin irritation or allergies, especially for people with sensitive skin.

• Paraben: As a preservative that helps increase the shelf life of antiperspirants and deodorants, Parabens are widely used in the cosmetics industry. However, Parabens can also be easily absorbed through the skin and may cause skin sensitivity in some people. Furthermore, studies have also shown that Paraben can simulate the activity of the hormone estrogen in the body. This can lead to unwanted health effects, especially for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
  In addition, excessive use of Paraben can cause the risk of breast cancer. Therefore, to protect your health, you should look for cosmetic products that do not contain Paraben or use little Paraben. If you cannot avoid using products containing Parabens, you should choose products with lower concentrations of Parabens and use them with a lower frequency to minimize the negative impact on your health.

• Fragrance: The fragrance of antiperspirant and deodorant products is often created from hundreds of different ingredients. However, fragrance recipes are often kept secret or proprietary, so the product label will not list all the names of the fragrances. If you are prone to allergies to fragrances, you should stay away from scented antiperspirants and deodorants.

• Diethanolamine: Also known as DEA, this ingredient is often used in personal care products such as shampoos and body washes. However, research has shown that DEA may increase the risk of cancer. So, if you are looking for products that are safe for your health, avoid products containing this ingredient.

• Butane and Isobutane: Two gases used to push spray deodorants out of the bottle. However, in some countries such as the UK and Canada, these two gases are restricted because they are linked to cancer and can affect fertility and fetal development. However, some other countries still allow the use of butane and isobutane. If you're concerned about the harmful effects of these two ingredients, it's best to avoid using deodorants or antiperspirants that contain them.

• Aluminum: A common metal in antiperspirant products to block sweat ducts in the skin and prevent sweat from flowing to the skin's surface. However, the use of aluminum-containing products can increase the risk of genetic mutations at the cellular level and increase the risk of cancer. Therefore, if you are worried about the harmful effects of aluminum on your health, consider avoiding using products that contain aluminum in antiperspirants.

4. When to use antiperspirants? When to use deodorant?

To control sweat and avoid underarm wetness, the use of antiperspirants is necessary. However, if you just want to limit body odor and smell fresh without sweating too much, deodorant would be a better choice.

According to a study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, both deodorants and antiperspirants can effectively control body odor. This means that if you use an antiperspirant to regulate sweating, you will also reduce body odor.

If you're struggling with both body odor and sweat, products that combine both functions are the best solution. Most of these combination products have antiperspirants and deodorants clearly listed on the product packaging. However, if it is unclear, you should check the product's ingredients before use.