Deodorant

More than just a jumble of mere scented sticks or sprays, the deodorant retail category includes both simple deodorants, which neutralize or mask the odor of underarm perspiration – or sweat; and antiperspirants, which actually cause pores to close.

Sweat is essentially odorless until bacteria ferment it. Deodorants are usually alcohol-based, and to fight odor, may use hops as antimicrobials.

Antiperspirants, classified as drugs by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), typically use aluminum salts that combine with the body’s own electrolytes to form gel plugs in one’s pores, thus stopping the flow of sweat.

However, despite their efficiency, aluminum salts are linked with damage to the blood-brain barrier, to various cancers, and renal (i.e., kidney) difficulties. Consequently, natural/organic preparations are always deodorants, never antiperspirants.

Deodorant forms are waxy push-up sticks, liquid roll-ons, body sprays (which can also be used on the feet and other body parts), and solid irregular rock shapes.