We all love to smell good. But in order to smell lovely, we need help from scented products.
So, you may make the common mistake regarding deodorant and perfume as the same; however, they serve entirely different purposes.
Therefore, we will find out today the differences between Deodorant and Perfume.
Keep reading to know the right way and occasion to use perfume and deodorant.
Deodorant vs Perfume: What’s the Difference?
Deodorant is used to mask your body odor caused by germs in your sweat. On the other hand, perfume is used only to enjoy beautiful aromas on your skin. Although both are made with similar compositions, they have different characteristics and functions.
What is the Difference Between Deodorant and Perfume?
Bad body odor is a major problem many of us have to face in our everyday life. Therefore, you may constantly seek a solution to that problem.
And because of misconception, since both perfume and deodorant are part of the cosmetic world in a similar category– you may treat them the same.
As a result, you end up wearing perfume and deodorant on occasions that aren’t appropriate for them. So it’s essential that you get your facts right. After that, I promise you will see both of them in a different light.
First, deodorant is used to hide our body odor caused by sweating. On the other hand, perfume is used for experiencing a beautiful aroma.
For example, there’s a chance of germs infesting us when we sweat, resulting in an unpleasant body odor; that’s very unhygienic.
Meanwhile, deodorant is made with a chemical called deodorizers – it neutralizes bacterial growth in sweat areas and reduces body odor. So you spray deodorant only under your arms.
However, perfume plays an entirely different role. For instance, a fragrance is a personal choice used to boost aspects of our personality. And it has got nothing to do with hygiene.
That is to say, we use scents to smell pleasant for specific events, and a fragrance can invoke memories and feelings.
Also, check our latest investigation- How to Find Your Signature Scent?
Second, perfume and deodorant have different compositions. For example, deodorant is mainly made of alcohol and just a little bit of essential oils. Therefore, there is little to no aroma in a deodorant.
In addition, perfumes’ main component is the essential oils and the side alcohol.
Third, perfume lasts longer because it has a higher oil concentration. Meanwhile, deodorant doesn’t last long because it has very little essential oil.
Next, perfume is more expensive than deodorant because of the costly ingredients like oud, Jasmin, and vanilla.
Lastly, fragrances mostly come in beautifully sculptured glass bottles, so the liquid inside is protected better. But deodorants come in plastic bottles like roll-ons, spray bottles, and sticks.
Above all, both are beauty items but are completely different – perfume is a luxury item, and deodorant is to maintain cleanliness from sweat.
Now that you know the essential differences between perfume and deodorant, you may wonder which one suits you.
Which is Better, Deodorant or Perfume?
Both deodorant and perfume have different objectives. So it isn’t right to treat them the same.
To clarify, you can only use deodorant when you sweat and want to hide the body odor caused by it.
However, perfumes bring different aromas suitable for specific moments in our life. For instance, we go above and beyond to find our signature scent, right? But we don’t really sweat on finding a deodorant – that’s how precious fragrances are!
Similarly, perfumes are high-end products, and you have to pay a hefty price for most of them. On the other hand, deodorants are way cheaper – this difference is mainly because of the ingredients used to make them.
As a result, you can wear deodorant in your everyday use. But perfumes are for special occasions only.
Moreover, you need to reapply deodorants as they don’t stick longer because it contains a high amount of alcohol. On the other hand, perfumes last for a long time, so you don’t need to keep spritzing throughout the day.
In addition, the high alcohol content in deodorants can be an issue, especially if you are allergic to them.
Also, deodorants are very cheap for obvious reasons, so you don’t have to worry about buying one and regretting afterward if you don’t like it. But perfumes are super expensive, so you must do extensive research and properly try one before purchasing. However, both are for different use, so your thought process for both needs to be the opposite.
Furthermore, we use deodorants and perfumes in different parts of our bodies.
For example, you spray deodorants where you sweat a lot – underarms. And perfumes are sprayed on pulse points of our body or clothes.
In short, we use both in large amounts, one for hygiene and the other for pleasure.
Check out our Ultimate Guide on How to Buy Vintage Perfume?
Can I use Both Perfume and Deodorant?
Yes, you can use both perfume and deodorant. So you can layer deodorants and perfumes together without any worry.
Most importantly, we are also perceived by how we smell. As a result, you’d want to ensure that you are well groomed, showered, and smell well in different ways. That is why perfumes are deodorants are essential items in our daily lives.
However, when you combine anything with fragrance, you must remember some important rules.
For example, perfumes already have an intense smell. Therefore, if you layer another scented product that clashes with its notes – you will get disastrous results. So you can only combine scents that smell the same or similar.
Also, deodorants are a mainstay as we use them daily to maintain our hygiene and eliminate awful body odor from sweat.
On the other hand, perfumes make our day better by making us smell great– that’s all it is for.
Although, you can use both together – one for sanitation and the other for the smell. But both shouldn’t overpower one another.
Since perfumes have a distinct aroma and deodorants are mildly scented, sometimes the result can be unpleasant. So try using unscented deodorants.
Above all, it’s absolutely not feasible to buy deodorants for every single perfume you own or vice versa.
Just understanding what notes go well with what will make you a fragrance layer expert in no time. But you should know that perfume and deodorants are different, so you have to apply them in their appropriate area.
Looking for something different? Then check out our guide on How to Properly Test a Fragrance?
Can I use Perfume as a Deodorant for armpits?
No, you cannot use perfume as a deodorant for armpits. Moreover, that can also irritate your skin.
A deodorant is sprayed on armpits to save us from sweat, causing bacteria infestation and bad body odor.
However, you need to apply perfume in places where the aroma can be enjoyed and would last longer. As a result, if you spritz fragrance under your arms, it may react with your sweat and destroy the scent. So you must always spray perfume on your pulse points.
The pulse points are:
- Wrists
- Behind the earlobes,
- At the base of the neck,
- Behind the knees
- In the crooks of elbows
Similarly, you cannot use a deodorant where you apply your perfume.
To summarize, it’s okay to use deodorant and perfume together. But remember that both are applied correctly, and the aromas don’t conflict.
Cologne Vs. Deodorant
It can be overwhelming when so many types of scented products are out there.
For instance, cologne is another category that is often compared with deodorants. It’s a men’s fragrance and is less concentrated but way higher than deodorants.
So colognes are applied just like any other scents on your skin – preferably pulse points or clothes. And it can be worn day and night. Plus it’s better suitable for the office because it’s not that intense.
Smell for the Occasion
Perfumes and deodorants are polar opposite. You should only use deodorants to hide body odor caused by sweating.
On the other hand, perfume is more than just a spritz of liquid. It has a scent that immensely affects us psychologically. We wear fragrances for the aromatic experience. Deodorants are for everyday use, whereas perfumes are meant for special occasions.
Therefore, all scented items are used differently and treated differently according to the purpose they fulfill.
Also, check our latest investigation Should You Wear Perfume to School?
In conclusion, you use perfume just for the sake of the scent and use deodorant to maintain hygiene.
If you have any more queries, please share them in the comment section below.
