Everything you need to know about antiperspirants
What is an antiperspirant?
What is an antiperspirant?
An antiperspirant (also known by the English term antiperspirant) inhibits sweat production.
For over 100 years, antiperspirants have been used against excessive sweating. Their advantage over other measures lies in their purely
superficial mode of action. Aluminum chloride, the active ingredient in odaban® antiperspirant, narrows the openings of the sweat glands in the skin. As a result, less sweat is secreted, and skin and clothing remain dry. The insolubility of the aluminum complex prevents absorption into the deeper layers of the skin, so the treatment is actually limited to the outermost skin layer. The effectiveness of aluminum chloride as an antiperspirant was already demonstrated in 1972 by an experimental study by skin specialist Prof. Dr. Hagen Tronnier and his colleague Rentschler. They were able to show that the number of active eccrine sweat glands decreased by an average of 70% and sweating by 64%.
How an antiperspirant works
How an antiperspirant works
Aluminium chloride, when applied to the skin, causes a contraction (astringency) of the skin cells. This narrows the openings of the sweat glands. As a result, the aluminium chloride forms a complex that can be imagined as a small plug made of sweat, sebum, and skin flakes. This complex blocks the openings of the sweat glands, preventing sweat from reaching the skin. After a few days, the astringency is lifted and the effect of the antiperspirant diminishes.
No sweat - no odor
No sweat - no odor
When sweat comes into contact with specific microorganisms that are part of the natural skin flora, body odor is produced.
Corynebacteria (especially in men) and micrococci (especially in women) break down the sweat. This process produces unpleasant smelling substances
that are perceived as sour to pungent. However, if sweat is not secreted at all, it does not produce any odors. As an antiperspirant, odaban® promotes a naturally pleasant skin scent.
Antiperspirant vs. Deodorant
Antiperspirant vs Deodorant
How does an antiperspirant differ
How does an antiperspirant differ
Antitranspirant / Antiperspirant or Deodorant? How does an Antitranspirant / Antiperspirant differ from a Deodorant?
Antitranspirant and Antiperspirant basically mean the same thing. In English, the word Antiperspirant is used for an Antitranspirant. However, Antitranspirants / Antiperspirants are fundamentally different from Deodorants in their effect and application. Antitranspirants / Antiperspirants reduce the amount of sweat released by forming pore plugs or redirect sweat to skin areas where perspiration can occur more easily. Deodorants contain odor-inhibiting ingredients that mostly mask or absorb the sweat odor. Although Deodorants also contain sweat-inhibiting ingredients, usually they are in such a small amount that the problem of underarm wetness is not reduced by a Deodorant.
Differences in application between antiperspirant and deodorant
Differences in application between antiperspirant and deodorant
While a deodorant is used daily, usually after morning hygiene, antiperspirants are applied less frequently. odaban® spray is only used in the evening before going to bed. After initial daily application, the usage can quickly be reduced to just 1-2 times per week. This brings great independence and freedom, as you no longer have to think about applying deodorant every day. These differences are noticeable both in effectiveness and price.
A deodorant usually costs only a few euros, whereas antiperspirants tend to be more expensive depending on size and quality. However, the higher price of an antiperspirant is significantly offset by the fact that just 30 ml of antiperspirant can last for half a year with underarm application. A deodorant, on the other hand, usually lasts only a few weeks. This effectively saves money, reduces the hassle of repurchasing, and is better for the environment.
Skin Compatibility
Skin compatibility
Skin compatibility
An antiperspirant should always be applied in the evening to prevent possible skin irritation. Ideally, it should be applied just before going to bed. Another important aspect when using the odaban® antiperspirant spray is that the skin must be "completely dry" at the time of application. There must be no residual moisture on the skin. To achieve this, the skin can be pretreated with a commercially available talcum powder, which can be obtained at any pharmacy. A hairdryer can also be used to remove residual moisture from the armpit, for example. The reason the skin should be dry at the time of applying an antiperspirant is quite simple. The active ingredient in an antiperspirant is usually an aluminum compound, or a combination of various aluminum salts. When this active ingredient comes into contact with water or sweat, an unwanted byproduct called aluminum hydroxide is formed. This byproduct can cause skin irritation, resulting in slight burning and redness. To counteract these skin irritations, the carrier substance in odaban® antiperspirant is not water, but high-proof alcohol. Another advantage over water as a carrier is that the alcohol evaporates very quickly during spraying, leaving only a small percentage on the skin surface – thus the active ingredient "aluminum chloride" has no chance to react with water.
Application on the head
Application on the head
You can also use odaban® antiperspirant on the face. This is not a problem. However, odaban® should not be applied to irritated or inflamed skin. odaban® antiperspirant was originally developed only for the underarm and foot areas. Over time, however, various other areas of application have emerged. We have many customers who use odaban® very successfully on their face. odaban® should also only be applied in the evening when used on the face. Please never spray directly onto the face; always apply odaban® using a cotton or cosmetic pad (1-2 sprays are sufficient). Please wash the treated skin areas normally the next morning. For facial use, applying once a week or as needed is usually sufficient. Please never treat the entire head with odaban®, only individual affected skin areas, as sweat also has a cooling function. We recommend testing odaban® antiperspirant on a small area first if you have sensitive skin before applying it more extensively.
Use during pregnancy or breastfeeding
Use during pregnancy or breastfeeding
The odaban® antiperspirant is a "cosmetic product." According to the law, cosmetic products must always be safe, including for expectant and nursing mothers. odaban® underwent several safety assessments before its market launch in Germany, all of which were positive. Therefore, you can use the odaban® antiperspirant without concern during pregnancy and breastfeeding. When not to use the odaban® antiperspirant An antiperspirant should not be applied during the day. This is simply because sweating increases during the day. As a result, the active ingredient aluminum chloride reacts with water to form a byproduct, which can cause unpleasant skin irritation. Therefore, daytime use is not recommended. It is also not advisable to apply an antiperspirant immediately after freshly shaving the underarms, as this causes very small injuries to the skin surface and can lead to skin irritation after applying an antiperspirant.
When not to use odaban® antiperspirant
When not to use odaban® antiperspirant
An antiperspirant should not be used during the day. This is simply because more sweating occurs during the day. As a result, the active ingredient aluminum chloride reacts with water to form a byproduct, which can cause unpleasant skin irritation. Therefore, it is advised to avoid using it during the day. It is also not recommended to apply an antiperspirant immediately after a fresh underarm shave, as this causes very small injuries to the skin surface and can lead to skin irritation after applying an antiperspirant.
What should be avoided when using odaban® antiperspirant?
What should be avoided when using odaban® antiperspirant?
A very important aspect when using odaban® Antiperspirant is that the skin must be completely dry at the time of application. There must be no residual moisture left in the armpit. If there is still residual moisture in the armpit, the product’s effectiveness cannot fully develop, and the residual moisture can cause skin irritation or itching or burning. Many users who use odaban® Antiperspirant for the first time often have the problem that they still sweat a little in the evening, meaning that some residual moisture is hardly avoidable. We recommend applying odaban® Antiperspirant immediately before going to bed and drying the armpits beforehand with a little talcum powder or a hairdryer. This ensures that no residual moisture remains in the armpits. Another common mistake during application is using too much odaban® Antiperspirant per application. One spray per armpit is completely sufficient. For sensitive skin, we always recommend applying it with a cotton or cosmetic pad. Please wash off product residues normally the next morning. odaban® Antiperspirant should only be used once or twice a week after an initial “protection” has been established. Also, odaban® Antiperspirant should not be used too frequently, as the spray will not achieve the desired effect if overused. The reason is that with too frequent use, the sweat gland openings become completely "blocked." The sweat that accumulates behind the blockage will eventually break through it. Consequently, increased sweating will occur again. If this does happen, odaban® Antiperspirant should not be used for about two to three weeks. After this application-free interval, the effect will be as it was at the beginning of use. Thus, odaban® remains a very effective, safe product for a long time.
No. odaban® is available without a prescription at pharmacies and online, and with the active ingredient aluminum chloride, it is one of the most effective over-the-counter antiperspirants. The key to being "strong enough" is not only the active ingredient but especially the correct application: in the evening, on dry skin, with a short buildup phase. Those who want to test the effect risk-free can use the 60-day money-back guarantee on spray, gel, and foot powder.
This question unsettles many – so here are the facts from an independent authority. The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) re-evaluated aluminum-containing antiperspirants in 2020 and updated the assessment in 2023. The result: health impairments from daily use are unlikely – the probability is rated as "very low". The calculated margin of safety is at least 3000; a value of 100 is sufficient for harmless cosmetic ingredients. According to the BfR, there is no reliable data basis for a causal link to breast cancer or Alzheimer’s disease. → BfR statement 030/2020 (updated 045/2023)
For context – comparison with food: We mainly absorb aluminum through food and drinking water – by far the largest source. The contribution of antiperspirants to total aluminum intake is significantly lower than previously assumed. With odaban®, the formed aluminum complex remains on the outermost skin layer and is not absorbed into deeper layers.
Want to be on the safe side? Understandable. You can discuss the use anytime with your doctor or at your pharmacy – especially if you have pre-existing conditions, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have sensitive skin. odaban® is also available in pharmacies and is professionally advised there.
Application tip: Apply to dry, not freshly shaved skin – this prevents skin irritation and ensures the best effect.
The skin compatibility of odaban® is independently tested. In patch tests conducted by the dermatological institute Dermatest® (Münster) – carried out in accordance with the guidelines of the DDG/DGAKI and the standard DIN EN ISO 10993-23 – tested odaban® products (including deodorant stick and foot powder) showed no skin irritations in 30 subjects with different skin types each. This proves the good skin compatibility. However, for sensitive skin, it is recommended to first test the application on a small area.
Product recommendation by body area
An antiperspirant can be applied not only under the armpits. Depending on the body area, a different form of application is suitable:
| Body part | Product |
|---|---|
| Armpits 🙋🏼 | Spray & Stick |
| Hands 🙌🏻 | odaban® Gel |
| Foot (Smell)🦶 | Gel + Shoe Powder |
| Face & Forehead 🙂 | odaban® Gel |
| Chest, Back, Buttocks | Spray / Gel |
| On the Go / Travel 🧳 | Wipes |
Product consultation
3 questions for your perfect remedy against sweating
