Deodorant vs Antiperspirant

Let’s face it, no one wants to smell, and no one wants to sweat when it’s not the right time hence why so many use deodorants or antiperspirants.  Before we get into all the details did you know that deodorant and antiperspirant aren’t the same. We are going to tell you the difference and why it’s important to go make the transition into a natural deodorant over your typical antiperspirant. 

In general, it’s important to be careful about what we are putting on and into our bodies. Here at GLW we are all about prevention and educating ourselves on the best practices when it comes to health, beauty, skin etc… we want the best of it all! Over the past few years so many people have been switching over to natural deodorants or aluminum free/ synthetic fragrance-free deodorants but maybe you don’t know why so we are here to let you know. 

First things first it’s important to understand sweat and why we smell in general.  

Why do we sweat & why do we smell?

Our bodies have two types of sweat glands – eccrine and apocrine. Eccrine glands are all over our bodies and regulate our body temperature; This is the salty type of sweat that contains water and sodium. Apocrine, on the other hand, is mainly found in the underarm region and is triggered by stress, anxiety and fluctuating hormones; This type of sweat produces bacteria, helps our bodies get rid of toxins, and is the reason why we smell. It’s also why we only use deodorant in just our underarms and not our entire bodies. Ever notice you smell more when you are anxious or stressed? This is why. 

The Difference: Deodorant vs. Antiperspirant

Deodorant works by helping to fight bacteria in the underarm and scent the area. While antiperspirants actually clog or shrink sweat glands with ingredients such as aluminum. This is basically stopping the body from performing its natural body functions like regulating body temperature, releasing toxins and sweat. Super gross, right?

Say NO to toxins

There are several ingredients in most commercial brands of antiperspirant deodorant that get bad raps, but the biggest offender by far is aluminum. Several studies found that aluminum may contribute to the formation of certain types of cancers and Alzheimer’s disease.  You also want to avoid ingredients like parabens, phthalates, triclosan, sulfates and talc. 

Why do natural deodorants often “not work”?

Most of us started using antiperspirant deodorant as soon as we hit puberty, resulting in years of plugging up sweat follicles. As people become more aware of the importance of what they put in as well as on their body, many are making the switch from antiperspirants to aluminum-free deodorants. The body is a pretty amazing thing and your pits will go through a detox and adjustment period to regulate sweat production. 

How to make the switch 

Let us warn you, you’re going to sweat a lot more than usual for a little bit and you will probably smell a little more than usual as well but this is just temporary! Your pores will unclog so they can finally start functioning the way they’re intended to. When the sweat and stink start pouring in, this is when most of us start running back to antiperspirant. Stay strong people, stay strong! This process usually lasts for 2-4 weeks but gets less and less as time goes on. You can also try detoxing your pits with a clay mask like the Aztek mask (linked below). Mix it with apple cider vinegar and apply it to your armpits daily for about 7-10 days, while transitioning, this should ease the process. 

We have some recommendations for clean deodorants that work!