Shop Smart: Deodorants vs. Antiperspirants vs. Clinical Strength Antiperspirants

What’s bugging you? Sweat? Odor? Both? Whether you’re shopping online or at your local pharmacy, all the underarm options can make you want to throw your arms up in confusion. From deodorants to antiperspirants, to clinical strength antiperspirants, your armpits have decisions to make and we are here to help. 

1. Deodorants. These are the products to grab if odor is your top concern and you want to smell better (or to smell less). Typically, deodorants work by chemically killing or blocking the bacteria that live on your skin and contribute to body odor when they mix with sweat. Deodorants also mask odor with their own pleasant scents but do not tackle sweaty wetness.
2. Antiperspirants. If you don’t like feeling damp or drippy in the pits, an antiperspirant is the way to go. When you apply an antiperspirant, its active ingredients create superficial plugs just below the surface of the skin that block your sweat ducts. If your body senses that a sweat duct is closed for business, a feedback mechanism stops that duct’s sweat production (temporarily). Depending on the antiperspirant, plugs (and therefore product efficacy) can last 24 hours or more.
3. Clinical strength antiperspirants. These are the strongest antiperspirants available without a prescription from your doctor. They contain higher percentages of active ingredients than regular antiperspirants, or they contain different, stronger active ingredients. Clinical strength antiperspirants are designed to help those of us who seriously sweat, like A LOT, or who have the medical condition known as hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) but without skin irritation risks often associated with prescription antiperspirants. All Certain Dri’s antiperspirants are clinical strength. Learn more about Certain Dri’s three different levels of sweat protection here.
4. Antiperspirants and deodorants combined. These are probably the most common products on the shelves. Consider them the best of both worlds and your multitasking friends. Antiperspirants/deodorant combos can be found in regular strength and clinical strength. Certain Dri offers two different clinical strength antiperspirant and deodorant options so you can fight sweat and stink simultaneously. 

Armed with this knowledge, how will you put your best pit forward today? You can shop Certain Dri antiperspirants and deodorants now.