Antiperspirant vs Deodorant: What You Actually Need

Most people use the words "antiperspirant" and "deodorant" interchangeably. They're actually two fundamentally different products with different mechanisms, and choosing the right one can make a real difference — especially in South Africa's warm climate.

What Deodorant Does

Deodorant is designed to neutralise odour. It doesn't stop you from sweating — it masks or prevents the smell that occurs when sweat interacts with bacteria on your skin. Most deodorants use antimicrobial agents to reduce bacteria, plus fragrance to provide a fresh scent.

Deodorant is fine if you don't sweat heavily and your primary concern is smell. But if you're dealing with visible sweat patches or feeling damp throughout the day, deodorant alone won't solve the problem.

What Antiperspirant Does

Antiperspirant actually reduces how much you sweat. The active ingredient — usually an aluminium compound — temporarily blocks sweat ducts, decreasing the amount of perspiration that reaches the skin's surface. This is why antiperspirants are classified as over-the-counter drugs in many countries, while deodorants are considered cosmetics.

Clinical-strength antiperspirants take this further with higher concentrations of active ingredients and advanced delivery systems. Mitchum's 72-hour clinical-strength formula uses a triple odor defense system that combines sweat reduction, odor neutralisation, and long-lasting fragrance — essentially giving you antiperspirant and deodorant benefits in one product.

When to Apply (This Is Where Most People Get It Wrong)

Here's the counterintuitive part: antiperspirant works best when applied at night, before bed. Your sweat glands are less active while you sleep, which allows the active ingredients to form a more effective barrier in the sweat ducts. By morning, the protection is locked in — and it persists even through your morning shower.

This is why Mitchum can promise 72-hour protection. The aluminium salts form a plug in the sweat duct that stays active for days, not hours. Applying in the morning, when you're already starting to perspire, means the product gets washed away before it can fully activate.

Which One Do You Need?

• Light sweater, just want to smell good? Deodorant is sufficient.
• Moderate sweater, warm climate? An antiperspirant/deodorant combination is your best bet.
• Heavy sweater, or need all-day reliability? A clinical-strength antiperspirant like Mitchum provides the strongest available over-the-counter protection.

Choosing Between Men's and Women's Formulas

Functionally, men's and women's antiperspirants work identically — the active ingredients are the same. The main differences are fragrance profiles and marketing. Mitchum offers separate ranges for men and women, primarily differentiated by scent. The Active Ocean range for men provides a clean, fresh fragrance, while the Bright Floral range for women offers a lighter, more floral scent profile.