It is impossible to search for the best deodorant for men if one does not take the time to learn the pros and cons surrounding the deodorant vs. antiperspirant debate. In fact, many users today don’t even know the difference between the two. To them, it doesn’t matter if you pull a deodorant or an antiperspirant off the shelf at the grocery store if they both end up solving your body odor problems.
But the truth of the matter is that it makes a difference if one uses a deodorant or an antiperspirant. These two types work in very different ways and while the results may seem the same, it doesn’t necessarily mean that your body is doing the same thing when you use one or the other.
To put this in perspective, let’s look at the specific definitions of deodorant and antiperspirant, and from there draw our conclusions about whether to look for the best antiperspirant or deodorant for men.
ANTIPERSPIRANT. Antiperspirant is a product specifically designed to prevent the user from sweating. This goes to the heart of body odor prevention; sweating feeds bacteria on our skin, which in turn produces body odor as it revels in the substances in sweat. To stop body odor, antiperspirant products stop sweating completely by blocking the sweat pores. It achieves this by using a variety of chemicals such as aluminum. Most of the products on supermarket shelves today are of the antiperspirant variety.
DEODORANT. The term deodorant is a derivation of the root word deodorant which implies the action of eliminating odor or preventing it altogether. The best deodorant for men does not necessarily prevent the sweating process; rather, the substances in the deodorant prevent the production of body odor by killing bacteria. A person who wears a deodorant will continue to sweat but will not have the odor that normally accompanies sweating.
From here, the disadvantages of both types of products are quite obvious. The antiperspirant inhibits a natural body process that serves to regulate body temperature during intense training, as well as to eliminate toxins and waste products produced by metabolic processes. Preventing the sweating process also inhibits internal temperature regulation and eliminates one of the ways the body gets rid of waste.
For deodorants, the main disadvantage is that one will continue to sweat throughout the day. Even without body odor, sweating alone causes the feeling of discomfort. Those who sweat a lot will actually stain their shirts with sweat and if this happens at inopportune times it can affect performance, confidence and spoil one’s appearance.
Experts recommend getting a combination of antiperspirants and deodorants with both effects finely balanced to achieve the desired effect. Inhibiting sweat is good if it is done up to a certain point and no more; balancing that with the use of deodorant helps keep body odor at bay. Therefore, it is important to choose the best antiperspirant and deodorant for men in combination and not just one over the other.
Consider these things the next time you go grocery shopping for your favorite brand of antiperspirant or deodorant. Combine things by putting the best antiperspirant and deodorant in one basket so you get the best of both worlds in one product that meets your needs throughout the day.
