Benefits and Risks of Deodorants vs. Antiperspirants

Deodorants and antiperspirants control body odor through distinct mechanisms. Some individuals opt for deodorants because of worries about aluminum compounds found in many antiperspirants, though current research does not indicate this is a significant health risk.

Antiperspirants and deodorants act differently to manage underarm odor. Antiperspirants cut down on sweating, whereas deodorants lower the skin’s pH.

The Food and Drug Administration classifies deodorants as cosmetics—products meant to cleanse or improve appearance—while it regards antiperspirants as drugs because they are designed to alter the body’s function or to prevent a condition.

Continue reading to understand the distinctions between these two methods of odor control and to determine which might suit you best.

Deodorants

Deodorants are generally alcohol-based formulations aimed at neutralizing armpit odor rather than preventing sweat. When applied, they make the skin more acidic, creating an environment that is less hospitable to odor-causing bacteria.

Deodorants often contain fragrances as well to help mask any remaining smell.

Antiperspirants

Antiperspirants typically contain aluminum-based compounds as their active ingredients, which temporarily plug sweat ducts. By blocking these ducts, less sweat reaches the skin’s surface.

If nonprescription antiperspirants fail to control excessive sweating, stronger prescription antiperspirants are an option.

Benefits of deodorants and antiperspirants

There are two main motivations for using deodorants or antiperspirants: controlling moisture and minimizing odor.

Moisture

Sweating is a natural cooling process that helps the body dissipate heat. The armpits have a higher concentration of sweat glands than many other body regions. Some people prefer to reduce perspiration because armpit sweat can sometimes soak through clothing.

Sweat can also play a role in producing unpleasant odors.

Smell

Sweat on its own is not strongly odorous. The smell arises when bacteria on the skin break down components of sweat. The warm, moist environment of the armpit is ideal for these bacteria.

Sweat secreted by apocrine glands—found in the armpits, groin, and around the nipples—contains more protein, which bacteria readily decompose, producing odor.

Antiperspirants and breast cancer concerns

The aluminum-based agents in antiperspirants—their active components—limit sweat reaching the skin by occluding sweat glands.

Some worry that skin absorption of these aluminum compounds could influence estrogen receptors in breast tissue.

However, according to available evidence, there is no convincing link between antiperspirant aluminum and cancer because:

• Breast cancer tissue does not seem to contain higher levels of aluminum than normal breast tissue.
• Studies suggest only a minute proportion of aluminum is absorbed (about 0.0012 percent) from antiperspirants containing aluminum chlorohydrate.

Additional studies that found no association between underarm products and breast cancer include the following:

• A 2002 case-control study comparing 793 women without breast cancer to 813 women with breast cancer found no increased breast cancer incidence among those who used deodorants or antiperspirants in the underarm area.
• A smaller subsequent study corroborated the 2002 findings.
• An additional review determined there was no demonstrated link between antiperspirant use and increased breast cancer risk, while also calling for more thorough research on the topic.

Conclusion

Deodorants and antiperspirants reduce body odor by different means: antiperspirants lower sweat production, while deodorants raise skin acidity, which inhibits odor-producing bacteria.

Although rumors persist about antiperspirants causing cancer, current research does not support that antiperspirants are a cause of cancer.

Nevertheless, researchers continue to recommend further studies to more fully explore any potential relationship between antiperspirant use and breast cancer risk.