Is it Healthier to Use Deodorant or Antiperspirant?

Published: October 21, 2025
Updated: October 22, 2025
4 mins

Sweating is the body’s way of keeping you cool. Sweat is produced in the eccrine and apocrine sweat glands within the dermis. Profusely sweating can cause an undesirable body odor that most people want to avoid. The social stigma of sweat being associated with bad hygiene may also cause people to be intentional about which deodorant or antiperspirant they use.

Deodorant can help reduce odor by preventing the growth of bacteria that cause body odor. While antiperspirants can also reduce body odor, the product focuses more on reducing sweat as well by blocking the release of sweat from your pores when applied to the skin.

Those who tend to experience an increase in sweat from anxiety, stress, and certain health conditions may prefer an antiperspirant to target sweat production. However, there are key differences in the ingredients commonly used in deodorants and antiperspirants. These ingredients may affect whether you prefer a deodorant or an antiperspirant.

What is Deodorant?

Deodorant is a product intended to prevent body odor by preventing the growth of malodour bacteria by activating antimicrobial bacterial agents. Many deodorants have fragrances added to them as well to mask any odors. Those with sensitive skin may opt for fragrance-free deodorants to prevent any skin irritation.

The three main components of deodorant ingredients are odor absorbers, antimicrobial agents, and a fragrance. While the ingredients in deodorant may vary from brand to brand, the following are the most common ingredients in traditional deodorant formulas:

• Triclosan

• Propylene glycol

• Quaternary ammonium compounds

• Octoxyglycerin

• 2‐ethylhexylglycerin 

• Ethyllauryl arginate hydroxychloride

• Zinc carbonate

What is Antiperspirant?

Antiperspirants are products that primarily use aluminum salts to reduce sweat and body odor. If you naturally sweat a lot, antiperspirants may work better for you than deodorants. 

Antiperspirants are commonly prescribed to those with health conditions that cause excessive sweating. For example, hyperhidrosis is a disorder where the sweat gland becomes overstimulated, causing excessive sweating. Those with hyperhidrosis still sweat a lot even when they’re not in heat or physically active.

Antiperspirants prevent excessive sweat by using aluminum salts as gel plugs. Aluminum salts mix with biomolecules in sweat to avoid activating odor-causing bacteria.

The following are common ingredients in antiperspirant formulas:

• Aluminium chlorohydrate (ACH)

• Aluminum chloride

• Ethanol

• Butane

• Limonene

Can Deodorant and Antiperspirants Expire?

You may not think about it all the time, but both deodorants and antiperspirants can expire. Most last at least one to three years. However, the active ingredients can break down over time and make the product less effective. When it comes to the different types of deodorant, aerosols tend to last a bit longer than stick or roll-on deodorant.

What’s the Difference Between Deodorant and Antiperspirant?

The main difference between deodorant and antiperspirant is the ingredients used and the primary purpose of each type of product. Both deodorant and antiperspirant help block odors, but antiperspirants are more effective in limiting how much you sweat.

Is Aluminum in Deodorants and Antiperspirants Harmful for You?

Many companies have adopted aluminum-free deodorant options due to widespread concern about aluminum. Aluminum-free deodorants are available in most stores in the U.S., but aluminum is still the main ingredient in antiperspirants.

Health experts have conducted several studies analyzing whether or not aluminum in personal care products increases the risk of cancer. While still widely debated, most health experts have found no direct connection between aluminum and cancer. A small amount of aluminum is absorbed while using antiperspirants, but not enough to cause harm. Still, more research is needed on how deeply aluminum penetrates layers of the epidermis (skin).

Alternative Natural Deodorant and Antiperspirant Ingredients

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in using natural deodorants and smell-goods. In addition to being less harsh on the skin, natural products also tend to be better for the environment. Those with very sensitive skin may experience rashes from having an allergic reaction to certain ingredients in skin products.

Plant-based ingredients and essential oils have similar odor-blocking properties as traditional deodorant and antiperspirant products. However, some natural ingredients may require applying the product more often or may not be as effective at stopping excessive sweating.

The following ingredients are often used in natural deodorant and antiperspirant products:

• Essential oils (lavender, cedarwood, rosemary, etc.)

• Anticholinergic agents

• Synthetic cationic block copolymer

• Acetic acid bacterial extracts

Where Can I Learn More About Maintaining My Hygiene?

If you’re concerned about how to take better care of your overall hygiene, LifeMD can help. With LifeMD, you can connect to a team of licensed healthcare professionals who can provide you with expert guidance on maintaining your hygiene and overall health.

Get started today to learn more about how to maintain your hygiene.