Antiperspirant vs deodorant - which is better?

It’s a question that’s as old as time but still remains valid, especially with the influx of natural deodorants available on the market.

So, how do you know which is best for you, your armpits, and your lifestyle, and are there actually any real differences between the two?

Spoiler: Yes, there are!

In this article, our experts share the differences between antiperspirant and deodorant so that you can find the perfect product for your pits.

(And we should say upfront that as a brand we offer both antiperspirant and natural deodorant formulations, so we’re unbiased!)

Antiperspirant vs deodorant - How do they work?

Both antiperspirant and deodorant work to keep you smelling fresh, but only antiperspirant is designed to keep your armpits dry and those embarrassing sweat patches away. 

Deodorants mask the scent of body odour and work to combat the odour-causing bacteria that hang around in your armpits. Antiperspirants do this too, but also temporarily block your sweat glands to reduce sweating (both keeping sweat patches away and preventing sweat from mixing with that odour-causing bacteria in your armpits!).

The world of sweat is an interesting one, and everyone’s armpits are different (different pH’s, different odour-causing bacteria, etc.). Therefore, each antiperspirant or deodorant reacts differently with each of us. There is no one size fits all, and it’s important that we all have a choice.

What’s the difference between antiperspirants and deodorants?

For the most part, antiperspirants and deodorants are similar, but there are a few key differences. 

	Antiperspirant	Deodorant
Moisture/sweat	Antiperspirants temporarily block the pores under your arms to reduce sweating for a period of time, keeping you sweat-patch-free!	Deodorants don’t prevent you from sweating, but work to absorb some of the moisture (so choosing this option will mean that you still find you sweat from your armpits).
Odour	Antiperspirants minimise the sweat that can mix with the odour-causing bacteria in your armpits, mitigating the risk of any unpleasant body odours in the first place. They also work to combat that odour-causing bacteria to make sure you’re smelling fresh.	Deodorants work to combat any odour-causing bacteria to make sure you’re smelling fresh, but don’t prevent sweat.
Ingredients	Antiperspirants use naturally occurring aluminium salts to temporarily block sweat glands. At Make Waves we combine this active ingredient with a 100% natural base - bringing you the sweat-free performance you’re looking for, but with all the benefits of premium natural ingredients.	Deodorants use ingredients that work to keep you smelling fresh (in the case of Make Waves, premium natural ingredients). However, they are not designed to stop you from sweating.

 

 

Can using an antiperspirant be harmful? 

No! There is a huge amount of misinformation out there about aluminium salts in cosmetics. Sadly, lots of natural deodorant brands have used shock headlines to lead customers to believe that there is a link between the aluminium salts used in antiperspirants and certain types of cancer, such as breast cancer.

The truth is, there is no link between antiperspirants and cancer. A number of cancer research charities and public organisations have been vocal about this, including Cancer Research UK.

So if you want to keep those sweat patches away and feel confident as you go about your day, you can do so safely.

Although we may have just made your decision about whether to choose antiperspirant or deodorant more difficult - we’re not sorry!

Do natural deodorants and antiperspirants work the same way as traditional deodorants and antiperspirants?

Yes! Natural antiperspirants and deodorants work similarly to traditional alternatives but have all the benefits of being packed with premium natural ingredients.

Our antiperspirant combines the high performance of traditional antiperspirant active ingredients with premium natural ingredients to provide a formulation that keeps you sweat-free while also being kind to your skin (and our planet).

Our natural deodorant is much the same, but instead of using antiperspirant active ingredients to prevent sweat, it is designed to absorb sweat instead.

All our products include skin-conscious ingredients, such as:

• Tapioca Starch
• Sunflower Seed Wax (Vitamins A, D, E)
• Shea Butter
• Tocopherol (Vitamin E)
• Sunflower Seed Oil (Vitamins E, K)

We believe that being sustainable shouldn’t mean you have to compromise on performance, and our formulations prove this. 

So, which is right for me: Deodorant or antiperspirant?

There is no correct answer to whether deodorant is better than antiperspirant, or vice versa. 

But if you are deciding whether to opt for an antiperspirant vs deodorant, there are a few things to consider before purchasing. 

Lifestyle

Let’s first assess your day-to-day activities. Are you someone who is consistently active and barely ever sits still? If so, you may prefer an antiperspirant as it is more effective at reducing sweat patches.

Sweating

Another factor to consider is simply how much you sweat during the day. You may be someone who rarely experiences sweat patches (lucky you!). Or you could be part of the 5% who suffer from hyperhidrosis - also known as excessive sweating. 

Determining how much you typically sweat throughout the day could help influence your decision. 

Transition period

When you switch to a natural deodorant, there is often a small transition period. In simple terms, this is for your body to get used to the different ingredients. 

Within this time period, you may find you experience some undesirable body odour. 

If this isn’t something you want to deal with, opting for a natural antiperspirant will ensure you continue to smell as fresh as can be right from the get go!

Still unsure whether to choose antiperspirant or deodorant? Let’s hear from our experts…

’We understand that sweat is a very personal choice and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Our armpits are all wonderfully unique (and so they should be!) and so different formulations will be suited to each of us.

But the bottom line is, if you’re looking to reduce sweating, an antiperspirant will likely be the best option for you. Otherwise, both formulations will keep you smelling fresh.

What is clear is that regardless of which type of product you use, it is always best to prioritise formulations that utilise the full benefits of premium natural ingredients and avoid synthetics where possible.’

- Oli and Owen, Co-Founders of Make Waves

Get the best of both worlds with a Make Waves bundle pack!

Here at Make Waves, we understand that every body is different which is why we offer both natural deodorant and antiperspirant. 

However, you don’t have to choose one or the other! In our bundle boxes, you can mix and match antiperspirants and deodorants so you can choose the right option for your day.

Both our natural antiperspirant and deodorant come in four fabulous fragrances so if you find a scent you fall in love with, you can ensure you can always smell like that no matter your capsule. If you don’t see a scent that you like, don’t fear as we are continually working on new fragrances for you to discover!

Don’t forget if you subscribe to Make Waves, you can save 15% on every order!

Pick up your award-winning natural deodorant or antiperspirant today! 

Don’t sweat it… or maybe do?