No, natural deodorant typically does not help with sweating; its primary function is to manage odor.
Understanding the difference between deodorants and antiperspirants is key to answering this question. While often used interchangeably, they work in fundamentally different ways:
Deodorants vs. Antiperspirants
The core distinction lies in how they address body odor and wetness.
- Deodorants: These products are designed to combat body odor. They contain ingredients that either mask the smell of sweat or reduce the bacteria on the skin that cause odor when interacting with sweat.
- Antiperspirants: These products are designed to reduce or stop sweating. They contain aluminum-based compounds that temporarily block sweat pores.
According to studies, natural deodorants don't block sweating, but instead mask or prevent odor. This means that even when using a natural deodorant, your body will still sweat naturally. The deodorant works by making the sweat less noticeable in terms of smell.
How Do Natural Deodorants Work?
Natural deodorants typically use ingredients like baking soda, cornstarch, arrowroot powder, and various essential oils.
- Baking soda or arrowroot powder: Can help absorb some moisture, but not to the extent of blocking pores like antiperspirants.
- Essential oils: Provide fragrance to mask odor.
- Other ingredients: May have antibacterial properties to reduce odor-causing bacteria.
Unlike antiperspirants, which are regulated by the FDA as over-the-counter drugs because they alter a bodily function (sweating), deodorants are considered cosmetic products. The term "natural" itself is also noted to be an "empty term" and not regulated.
Key Differences Summarized
| Feature | Natural Deodorant | Antiperspirant |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Function | Prevents/Masks Odor | Reduces/Stops Sweating & Odor |
| Impact on Sweat | Does not block sweating | Temporarily blocks sweat pores |
| Mechanism | Kills bacteria, masks odor, absorbs minor moisture | Aluminum salts block pores |
| Regulation | Cosmetic product (generally) | Over-the-counter drug (in the US) |
In conclusion, if your goal is to reduce or stop underarm wetness, a natural deodorant is not the product designed for that purpose. Its role is purely focused on managing the smell associated with sweat.
