Deodorants and antiperspirants are quite common parts of almost everyone’s self-care regime. They not only help you stay fresh and clean but also keep you smelling heavenly. A wide variety of deodorants can be found on the market, however, most people prefer natural deo as they are free of any toxic chemicals and are more skin-friendly even for the ones with extremely sensitive skin.
However, if you are not sure about the difference between deodorants and antiperspirants and how beneficial or risky they can be, keep reading this article to know!
What Are Deodorants and How Do They Help?
Deodorants are formulated to help with body odor. They include different ingredients along with fragrances to mask bad odor. Most of them are also equipped with alcohol to turn the skin acidic to repel bacteria from multiplying.
Deodorants don’t help with sweat, therefore, if you use deodorant to prevent sweaty armpits, they won’t really work.
However, deodorants can be found in an assortment of different scents to help you pick one that best suits your preferences. They also allow you to sweat naturally while preventing unpleasant smells, so they are ideal to use for the gym or beach.
What Are Antiperspirants and How Do They Help?
Antiperspirants usually contain aluminum to prevent sweaty armpits because this ingredient helps to block the sweat pores for a limited period of time.
As bad odor is caused by the bacteria that breaks down on your sweat, antiperspirants are a great way to deal with sweat and bad odor at the same time. They will also protect your clothing from getting wet and smelly.
What Are The Health Risks Associated with Deodorants and Antiperspirants?
With the variety of benefits deodorants and antiperspirants have to offer, there are some health concerns related to them. Let’s take a look!
Breast Cancer Risk
The use of antiperspirants is questioned on the basis of aluminum present in it. As aluminum is linked to a cancer-causing hormone in the breast, it is said to accumulate in breast tissue, which can cause breast cancer.
However, this is only a suspicion, and it hasn’t been backed up by any scientific research.
Kidney Disease
It is believed that exposure to aluminum can make it hard for unhealthy kidneys to get rid of it, and it can cause additional health risks. However, the risk is higher for people with chronic kidney disease.
Other Dangers
Other ingredients found in deodorants and antiperspirants can also give rise to several health issues over time.
Artificial fragrance. People with sensitive skin may easily get an allergic reaction on their skin due to the different scented chemicals added to the products.
Parabens. This ingredient can disrupt the hormone function, therefore, increasing the risk of breast cancer.
Triclosan. This artificial ingredient inhibits the growth of bacteria and can also cause asthma, reproductive and thyroid issues.
Use of Natural Deodorants and Antiperspirants
Due to the possible health risks associated with traditional deodorants and antiperspirants, many people are turning towards natural ones.
They are made from natural plant ingredients to prevent exposure to toxic chemicals and ensure multiple health benefits from their use.
Natural ingredients also give users peace of mind that they are using only healthy products.
