Buying guide for Best antiperspirants
Written by Melissa Nott
Updated March 2023
Perspiration, in and of itself, has no odor. Body odor, often known as B.O., is a particularly unpleasant smell that arises when bacteria found on human skin feeds on the watery secretions of the sweat glands. In response to physical exertion or emotional stress, the acrolein glands found in human armpits release an oily fluid (sweat) containing lipids and proteins on which skin bacteria feed.
Sweating is an essential body function. However, no one wants to stink. While bathing removes the stench of sweat from our skin, an antiperspirant to control wetness can help keep us odor-free between showers.
Antiperspirants contain chemical agents formulated to reduce sweating. Many antiperspirants also contain a deodorant to help mask body odor.
Key considerations
Daily bathing isn’t enough
Our bodies produce as much as three cups of sweat each day. Sweat opens pores, strengthens our immune system, rids the body of toxins, increases blood circulation, and gives us glowing, healthy-looking skin. It acts as a prebiotic, promoting healthy skin bacteria while suppressing the growth of “bad” bacteria. Daily bathing helps stop pesky wetness while destroying and washing away the bacteria that cause body odor. However, daily bathing alone won’t stop the offensive odor in most cases.
Deodorant vs. antiperspirant
If you’re looking for a product to help block odor, you’re in good company. But which is right for you: a deodorant or an antiperspirant? The two are not quite the same.
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Deodorant: Some consumers prefer to use deodorant only, as deodorants do not block pores. Rather, they allow the body to function normally, producing sweat. Deodorants only mask odor; the sweat still flows.
- Antiperspirant: Antiperspirants are the primary focus of this article. Antiperspirant is an aluminum-based substance that blocks sweat secretions in the sweat ducts, thereby reducing or blocking the amount of moisture that reaches the skin’s surface. When aluminum-based antiperspirants are applied to the skin and interact with sweat, pH increases, causing the aluminum salts to form a plug over the sweat glands.
Features
Application style and size
Antiperspirants are available in spray-on, roll-on, glide, pad, powder, and cream applications. They can be scented or unscented. Product size varies depending on the method of application. Glides and roll-on antiperspirants are often available in two-ounce and four-ounce sizes. Consumers can also get spray antiperspirants in travel sizes (two-ounce plastic spray bottles) and economy sizes (eight-ounce to ten-ounce aerosol or manual pump canisters).
Duration
The majority of antiperspirants offer 24-hour protection. Some brands boast that they keep the wearer dry and fresh for 36 to 48 hours.
For people who sweat heavily, there are extra-strong, prescription-strength antiperspirant pads that offer up to seven days of protection.
Did you know?
Sweat, a thermogenic regulator released onto the skin, evaporates and cools, helping to reduce the body’s internal temperature. Antiperspirants do not affect the thermoregulation of the body. Because the armpits are a very small portion of the whole body surface, the armpit area is too small to interfere with body thermoregulation.
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Antiperspirant prices
The price of an antiperspirant depends on several factors, including the manufacturer, brand name, merchandiser, cost of ingredients, packaging, and size.
When comparing antiperspirant prices, don’t forget to take quantity into account. You might find an antiperspirant stick for the appealing price of $2, for example, but that stick may only last you a few weeks. For a few dollars more, you could probably find a stick with more product inside that would last longer. And for most people, fewer shopping expeditions is a win.
Inexpensive
In the lower price range, you can find many drugstore-brand products that cost approximately four dollars per canister or stick. If you want to try antiperspirant pads, you may spend a little more — approximately $12 to $15 for an eight-week supply.
Mid-range
In the mid-price range, you can expect to encounter more antiperspirant products that contain natural ingredients. These products tend to hover around the $10 mark, give or take a few dollars. If you want a middle-of-the-road price for pads, expect to spend $18 to $26 for an eight-week supply.
Expensive
At the top of the price range, you will find antiperspirant sticks that cost $15 or more and some all-natural, non-toxic antiperspirant pads that cost $35 and upward for an eight-week supply.
Tips
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Dealing with lots of sweat? Bear in mind that certain medical conditions and medications may cause abnormal sweating. For example, hyperthyroidism can lead to excessive sweating or an abnormally strong odor in the urine. Darkly colored sweat may also be symptomatic of liver or kidney malfunction. Medication-induced secondary hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating, can be caused by the use of serotonin reuptake inhibitors, opioids, insulin, anti-inflammatory drugs, and some antidepressants.
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Aluminum chlorohydrate, commonly used in over-the-counter antiperspirants, may irritate people with sensitive skin or allergies to aluminum salts. Ammonium alum and potassium alum crystals, naturally occurring zeolite minerals, act as all-natural alternatives to antiperspirants and deodorants containing aluminum salts, fragrances, or other allergens. These minerals, sold in solid crystal form, prevent odor when dampened and applied to the underarm area.
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Don’t apply antiperspirant immediately after showering or bathing. Skincare specialists tell us this is a no-no. When the skin surface is moist, aluminum salts react with the outer layers of the skin rather than inside the pores. For the most efficient sweat-blocking action to occur, apply your antiperspirant when the skin is clean and completely dry.
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Do not apply deodorants or antiperspirants to broken or irritated skin. Doing so could lead to infection or additional irritation.
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If you are making the transition from conventional deodorant products to 100% pure and natural organic deodorants, read the ingredients on the product package you are considering. Organic deodorants do not contain aluminum, talc, parabens, and other undesirable chemicals. Instead, these organic deodorants contain natural bacteria and other organic odor-fighting ingredients to effectively keep you smelling fresh and clean without applying chemicals to your delicate underarm skin.
Ingredients commonly found in over-the-counter antiperspirants include aluminum salts, water, denatured alcohol, propylene glycol, cyclodextrin, talc, skin conditioners, lanolin, vitamin E, and fragrance.
FAQ
Q. Are the ingredients used in antiperspirants to stop sweat production regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)?
A. Yes. While the FDA does not regulate the ingredients in deodorants, which are considered to be cosmetic products because they do not alter the function of the skin, antiperspirants are regulated by the FDA. The reason: because they block pores, antiperspirants are classified as drugs and therefore subject to federal regulations.
Q. Can my underarm antiperspirant help control excess sweating of my feet?
A. Antiperspirants can be applied to the back, bra line, forehead, groin, and feet. However, because skin irritation can occur, it is important to talk to your health care provider before applying an antiperspirant to areas of sensitive skin. Discuss the product you are presently using. Your medical advisor may have suggestions for alternative products with active ingredients more suitable and effective, particularly for the feet.
Q. When I use an underarm antiperspirant or deodorant, my skin burns and feels irritated all day. Why?
A. It sounds like you have sensitive skin. If you have sensitive skin, certain ingredients will irritate it. A general rule of thumb is to avoid products containing aluminum salts, alcohol, and artificial fragrance, all of which can cause burning or other unpleasant allergic reactions. Read the product label of the antiperspirant that you are considering.
Q. Are there antiperspirants that control odor without the use of noxious chemicals?
A. Yes. Pure organic deodorants and antiperspirants use natural ingredients such as arrowroot, baking soda, essential oils, and kayalan clay to neutralize odor and kill bacteria. Many are manufactured without petroleum and other artificial ingredients, fragrances, and preservatives. Vegans will find many plant-based products in this range.
