How do antiperspirants work?

Answer by  hartford (506)

Antiperspirants prevent sweat by blocking sweat gland pores. They do this with small particles of aluminum or zirconium. Some may have an additional ingredient to kill the bacteria which are responsible for the odor of sweat.

Answer by  Ken56 (1160)

Most use substances with aluminim-based compounds which actually react with electrolytes in sweat making them form a gel which blocks sweat glands. This plugs them and prevents sweat from coming out. The gel is later sloughed off through natural shedding of skins cells.

Answer by  Amanda65 (1220)

Antiperspirants have minerals in them, typically aluminum and another one, that block the sweat from coming out of the pores. They work best when applied at night, when the body is coolest, so they have a chance to stick inside of the pores. Antiperspirants also usually have a deodorant or fragerance with it for an added pleasant smell.

Answer by  kevincai96 (669)

Most antiperspirants work by blocking your sweat ducts. So, instead of sweat leaking out of those ducts, they get plugged up. Sometimes this can cause infection or irritation, so/excessive/use/is/not recommended.

Answer by  questionkid (146)

Antiperspirants contain aluminum compounds, when placed upon the skin break down into free aluminum ions. At the epidermal layer of the skin, these ions plug the eccrine ducts and osmotically attracts water inside these glands which swell with trapped water.

Answer by  diva25 (4016)

They even out the chemical imbalance in your brain. They basically rebalance the problem in your brain. There are many different kinds so if one does not work you can always try another. Not too much is known about the brain so there is not a lot known about why they work.