Antiperspirant vs Deodorant: What’s the Real Difference?
When it comes to staying fresh, most people reach for either an antiperspirant or a deodorant — but the two products work in completely different ways. Understanding how they differ helps you make an informed choice about what you put on your skin every single day.
What Is Antiperspirant?
The clue is in the name: antiperspirant stops perspiration.
Antiperspirants use aluminium salts to temporarily block sweat ducts. If you don’t sweat, the bacteria on your skin (the ones that feed on sweat and cause body odour) have nothing to thrive on, so the smell never develops.
While effective at reducing wetness, sweating itself is a natural and necessary process. It helps regulate body temperature and assists in eliminating waste products. Long-term use of aluminium-based antiperspirants has been discussed in media reports in relation to degenerative diseases and breast cancer; the science is inconclusive, and many consumers choose to err on the side of caution.
What Is Deodorant?
Unlike antiperspirants, deodorants don’t stop sweat. Instead, they:
- Prevent or neutralise odour by targeting odour-causing bacteria.
- Mask odour with fragrance (in some conventional formulas).
Because they don’t interfere with sweating, deodorants are generally considered a healthier option, allowing your body to cool itself naturally while keeping you odour-free.
Why Some “Natural” Deodorants Irritate Skin
Many natural deodorants rely on baking soda or magnesium hydroxide to manage odour. Effective for some, these ingredients can disrupt the skin’s balance:
- Alkaline pH: Baking soda and magnesium skew alkaline (≈7–8), while skin is naturally acidic (≈4.5–5.5), which can irritate the underarm area.
- Barrier disruption: Alkaline formulas can interfere with enzymes, healthy flora, and the protective acid mantle.
- Redness & rash: Itching, stinging, or a red angry rash is common in sensitive skin.
- Hyperpigmentation risk: Baking soda has been linked to underarm darkening in some individuals; dermatologists often advise caution.
The Frank + Bare Difference: Science Meets Skincare
At Frank + Bare, we rethought natural deodorant from the ground up. Most natural formulas sit at an alkaline pH, so we did the opposite.
We formulated at a slightly acidic pH of 3.8–4, designed to work with the skin:
- Supports skin flora: An acidic pH creates an environment where odour-causing bacteria struggle to survive or thrive.
- Improves hydration: Acidic conditions help strengthen the skin barrier and retain moisture.
- Skincare benefits: We use AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) from orange, lemon, bilberry, sugar cane, and sugar maple extracts. These gently exfoliate to help prevent ingrown hairs and brighten underarm skin.
The result is a modern approach to natural deodorant that’s aluminium-free, baking-soda-free, and delivers gentle, effective odour control, while leaving skin smoother, softer, and more radiant.
Smell Great, Care for Your Skin
Our mission was simple: create a natural deodorant Australia can rely on — one that keeps you fresh and confident while improving the health and appearance of your skin.
This is deodorant, redefined.
Shop Frank + Bare Natural Deodorant and discover the difference for yourself.
