What is the Difference Between Antiperspirant and Antitranspirant

The main difference between antiperspirant and antitranspirant is that antiperspirants reduce perspiration or sweating while antitranspirants reduce transpiration and prevent water loss in plant surfaces.

Although the two terms are very similar, there is a distinct difference between antiperspirant and antitranspirant. Antiperspirant is a chemical substance we apply to the skin, especially under the arms, to prevent or reduce sweating. Antitranspirants, on the other hand, are substances we apply on the surface of plant leaves to reduce transpiration.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is an Antiperspirant 
     – Definition, Function
2. What is an Antitranspirant
     – Definition, Function
3. What is the Difference Between Antiperspirant and Antitranspirant
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Antiperspirant, Antitranspirant, Perspiration, Transpiration

What is an Antiperspirant

Antiperspirant is a chemical substance we apply to the skin, especially under the arms, to prevent or reduce perspiration or sweating. They are a very good solution to excessive sweating and body odour. This is because they block the pores on the outer layer of the skin, reducing the amount of sweat coming to the surface. The active ingredients in most antiperspirant solutions are aluminium chloride and aluminium chlorohydrate. Aluminium zirconium is a major ingredient found in newer antiperspirant formulations. These aluminium salts restrict access to the upper part of the sweat glands, making it more difficult for sweat to be released.

The efficiency of an antiperspirant may depend on many factors, including its ingredients, the strength of these ingredients, the amount of sweat your body produces, and even when and where you apply it. It’s also important to know that antiperspirant is different from a deodorant. Deodorants do not prevent sweating – they only mask the smell produced by sweat. Also, when you apply antiperspirant, make sure your armpits are dry. If the skin is moist, antiperspirants will mix with the moisture and slide off your body.

What is an Antitranspirant

Antitranspirants are substances applied to the leaves of plants to reduce transpiration. Transpiration is the process in which plants absorb water through their roots and then release water vapour through pores in their leaves. Although antitranspirants inhibit the process of transpiration, they do not have a significant effect on other processes such as photosynthesis and plant growth. Antitranspirants are typically useful in horticulture, especially with regard to ornamental plants. We use them on cut flowers, Christmas trees and on newly planted shrubs. Antitranspirants basically protect these plants from drying out too quickly.

Antitranspirants may work in three ways:

– reducing the absorption of sunlight, which will result in a decrease in leaf temperatures and transpiration rates

– forming thin transparent films on leaf surfaces, which prevent the escape of water vapour

– blocking the active excretion of hydrogen cation from the guard cells, which promotes closure of stomata

Depending on their method of action, there are different types of antitranspirants such as stomatal closing antitranspirants, film-forming antitranspirants, reflecting antitranspirants, etc.

Difference Between Antiperspirant and Antitranspirant

Definition

Antiperspirant is a chemical substance applied on the skin, especially under the arms, to prevent or reduce sweating. Antitranspirant, on the other hand, is a substance applied to the leaves of plants to reduce transpiration.

Function

Antiperspirants reduce perspiration or sweating while antitranspirants reduce transpiration and prevent water loss in plant surfaces.

Application

Antiperspirants are used on human skin while antitranspirants are used on leaf surfaces.

Field

Antiperspirants are relevant in the field of cosmetics and dermatology while antitranspirants are used in horticulture.

Conclusion

Antiperspirant is a chemical substance we apply to the skin, especially under the arms, to prevent or reduce sweating. Antitranspirants, on the other hand, are substances we apply on the leaves of plants to reduce transpiration. Therefore, this is the main difference between antiperspirant and antitranspirant.

Reference:

1. Ngan, Vanessa. “Antiperspirant.” DermNet NZ, Available here.
2. Thakur, Vinod. “What Are Antitranspirants? How Do They Reduce Water Loss In Plants?” Foreverest Resources, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “CLINIQUE Antiperspirant Deodorant Roll-On For Men” By Kazuhiro Keino (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr
2. “Crop woman watering flowers in vase at home” (CC0) via Pexels