Take a glance at the back of your deodorant stick — do those lengthy ingredient names with too many consonants start to look like a whole lot of Klingon? Here, find out what those words mean, as top experts explain the functions behind the daily deodorant swipe.

The Basics

Antiperspirant: Categorized as an over-the-counter (OTC) drug by the FDA, an antiperspirant uses ingredients (see several examples below) that interact with sweat glands to target and prevent wetness, says cosmetics chemist Ron Robinson, the founder of BeautyStat.com.

Deodorant: Let’s clear up a big misconception — the purpose of a deodorant is solely to mask underarm odor, not to prevent wetness. “Deodorants often contain fragrance along with an active deodorant called triclosan,” says Robinson, “which prevents odor-causing bacteria from growing.”

Read the rest of the article including a glossary of deodorant terms here on the DailyGlow.com.

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