When we perspire, sweat comes out of our body, and when sweat comes out of our skin it is usually odorless until it is fermented by bacteria. Deodorants are the substances used on the body to eliminate or to reduce the odor of perspiration on the human body.

Deodorants come in different forms such as powders, liquid, creams, lotions, sprays, solid sticks etc., and their functions are usually limited to covering up or to eliminate the smells produced as a result of bacterial actions on the human sweat. This could be done in either of the following ways:

1. Some deodorants may contain substances like alcohol, antimicrobials such as triclosan, formaldehyde and other compounds that either significantly slow down the growth of bacteria or that can kill them altogether.


2. Some deodorants may contain perfumes and other fragrances that are intended to mask or cover the odor of perspiration.

Antiperspirants on the other hand are meant to either reduce or slow down the production of sweat by the body. It is intended to be applied to specific areas of the body such as the armpits, forehead, chin and any other problem area.

Antiperspirants contain ingredients such as wax, liquid emollient and aluminum based compound (Aluminum Chloride, Aluminum Zirconium Tricholorohydrexglycine, Aluminum Chlorohydrate, Aluminum Hydroxybromide) which are very effective as sweat compounds. These aluminum--based complexes react with the sweat to form a gel plug in the duct of the sweat gland which prevent the gland from excreting liquid. This blockage of the sweat glands reduces the amount of sweat produced.

For some people who suffer from excessive sweating however, the amount of sweat produced by their sweat glands is so great that it is simply impossible for antiperspirants to have any effect whatsoever.