With 54% of American men suffering from underarm rashes - it's crucial to choose a product that works for you and doesn't irritate your skin.
In this article, I'll give you the ins and outs of both so you can make your pick in the battle of deodorant vs. antiperspirant.
Men's Antiperspirant
There are two problems associated with antiperspirants.
What is antiperspirant used for?
They prevent sweating by blocking your sweat glands (your body's natural way of keeping cool).
Blocked glands can lead to irritation and breakouts under your arms. Plus - the sticky residue can be hard to remove and can leave your shirts dry, crispy, and stained.
Are antiperspirants safe?
They contain ingredients - usually an aluminum compound - that physically prevent your glands from releasing sweat. Recent research published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information suggests that frequent use of antiperspirants can cause aluminum to build up in your body.
Too much aluminum in your body can cause bone diseases or dementia. Sure - some studies show that the amount of aluminum is minuscule, but the question is whether you want it in your bloodstream - even in the smallest quantities.
Men's Deodorant
What is deodorant used for?
Deodorants work on the bacteria under your arm to stop odor from escaping, rather than blocking the sweat like antiperspirants.
Your body is still able to breathe naturally, but without releasing the bad odor that comes from sweat.
Are deodorants?
The problem with some deodorants is that the chemicals and artificial fragrances "mask" the smell of odor instead of neutralizing it.
These chemicals are not only ineffective - they can leave you with a burning sensation and leave your underarms dry and irritated.
Which is healthier?
It all comes down to what's in the product. Cheap, off-the-shelf deodorants and antiperspirants are full of unpleasant chemicals like parabens, Propylene Glycol, Triclosan, and Phthalates because they're cheap to produce. But cheap doesn't mean healthy.
Thankfully there are natural, healthy alternatives to all these chemicals - but you need to know where to find them.
Click here to discover our award-winning men's Natural Deodorants.
Summary
Now that you know the difference between antiperspirants and deodorants, it is up to you to discover which works best for you.
Try out a few different brands and see how your body reacts to them - but remember, natural ingredients are always much better than harmful chemicals.