How do anti-perspirants achieve their effect?

Anti-perspirants work primarily by constricting the sweat pores to reduce the amount of sweat that reaches the surface of the skin. They typically contain aluminum-based compounds that temporarily block the sweat glands, minimizing perspiration. This action helps to control moisture and reduce body odor, as sweat itself is odorless and becomes smelly primarily when it interacts with bacteria on the skin.

While altering skin pH, increasing body temperature, and killing bacteria can play roles in sweat and odor management, they do not directly address how anti-perspirants function. By focusing specifically on the physical blocking of sweat production through the pore constriction mechanism, anti-perspirants effectively minimize moisture and associated odor, which is the primary goal of their use.