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Deodorant versus antiperspirant — which one is right for you?

Need to mask that whiff? Find out which products might be the best fit for avoiding personal odor.

Published: February 22, 2024 |5 minute read

Written by: Melanie Rud

Illustration of a woman standing atop a colorful spray can amongst other spray and roll-on deodorants and antiperspirants.

Worried about smelling bad? Concerns  about personal odor are as old as history. Ancient Egyptians even came up with deodorants, using ostrich eggs and other exotic ingredients to fight the smell of sweaty bodies.1

Today the solution is much easier to come by, and the options have come a long way. You can get deodorants with a gardenful of different scents that are gentle on your body and the environment. Or heavy-duty formulations of antiperspirant deodorant that stop sweat before it starts.

But which of those options is right for you? Let’s start at the beginning: what causes body odor? Then, we’ll point you in the right direction for a deodorant that makes you feel fresh and ready to face the world.

In this article:

What causes body odor?

Before we talk about how to manage body odor, it’s important to understand what causes it. You might say “sweat,” and you’d be mostly right.

One common misconception, though, is that sweat smells. In fact, sweat is colorless and odorless. It only takes on a smell when it remains on the skin, meets bacteria and undergoes a few chemical reactions,2 explains Alicia Zalka, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and associate professor at Yale School of Medicine.2

And — you guessed it — that happens more often in certain areas of the body. “The underarms in particular,” says Dr. Zalka, “but also other skin folds, because those areas have the ideal mix of sweat glands and specific types of bacteria most associated with this process.”3

What is deodorant?

As the name suggests, a deodorant’s work is to offset or mask the body’s odor.4 So as far as ingredients go, most use a fragrance to create a pleasant, overlaying smell, explains Dr. Zalka.

Some deodorants may have other ingredients, such as baking soda or charcoal, which are meant to help absorb moisture, she adds. And other ingredients in these products can actively work to kill bacteria, fighting the odor at its source.5

Deodorants are a big category. The most common confusion is about a particular subtype of deodorant — antiperspirants, which reduces the production of sweat in the places it’s applied.6

What is antiperspirant deodorant?

Antiperspirants are different enough that the word is usually printed prominently on the label of these products. “An antiperspirant is formulated to control and reduce sweating,” explains David Petrillo, who founded the Perfect Image line of skin care products.7 “It typically contains aluminum chloride or aluminum zirconium, which work by temporarily blocking the sweat ducts in the skin.”8

By reducing the flow of sweat to the skin’s surface, he explains, antiperspirants provide an extra layer of odor-fighting action by preventing some of the sweat that leads to the smell.9 Because of this more complex action, antiperspirants are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.10

What is natural deodorant?

Natural deodorants are an increasingly popular category. There’s no set or regulated definition, but the intention is pretty clear. “It’s a term used to describe a category of products that claim to use natural ingredients and are marketed as an alternative to conventional deodorants,” Petrillo says.

If you’re in the market for a natural deodorant, it’s probably a good idea to decide what you don’t want in your product. For instance, some deodorants are phthalate free, others are aluminum free and still others are free from baking soda. 

Is deodorant for men different than deodorant for women?

In short, men’s deodorant and women’s deodorant are pretty similar. The experts featured in this article believe that marketing accounts for most of the differences in products sold to men versus those sold to women.

Fragrance and packaging may be the biggest divide. For example, products designed for men may include woody, earthy or musky scents, which are also prominent in men’s colognes. Products for women may lean into fruity or floral notes, adds Petrillo. Still, “the core active ingredients and functions are essentially the same,” he says.

Does deodorant expire?

Most deodorants don’t have an expiration date, though they can dry out over time. Antiperspirants, however, will have an expiration date, which is usually displayed on the bottom of the product. Keep an eye on this to make sure you’re using it within the optimal window to stay fresh and free from odors in the way that suits you best.

*This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult your health care provider before taking any vitamins or supplements and prior to beginning or changing any health care practices.