A message of good body odor and pleasant aroma is the work of a cologne and deodorant. What you may not know is that the essence of the two are scent oriented. However, they are not the same when it comes to their usage and composition. So why would you like to know the difference between cologne vs deodorant? Read the information below to learn more.
Cologne vs. Deodorant: The General Overview
Colognes are more elegant in terms of the brands associated with it, the composition, and usage. Additionally, colognes are more costly. This may be due to the process involved in creating them, as well as their use.
Deodorants are more clinical in their functionality, since they work to minimize bad smells from your body. Even though they can have a scent like cologne, they have different purposes. Apart from being preventive, a cologne creates a better general body odor.
Colognes vs. Deodorants: The History
Colognes and perfumes have been around for centuries, and this is why they are a lucrative industry. For example, present-day colognes use guidelines from ancient craft to extract and use essential oils in the creation process.
In Latin, the name perfume refers to the process of extracting essential oils from plants and blending them to create a good cologne or perfume.
Deodorants do not have a similar history, as they are more recent. In this case, deodorants use a metal cholent compound, antimicrobials, and chemicals to neutralize body odor. Fragrances used in perfumes are added to deodorants to ensure they smell pleasant while masking body odor.
Both are valuable beauty products designed to assist you to smell good. Their differences lie in their history, cost, usage, and composition. Knowing what each is and how it works will give you a better understanding about the differences of the two.
What is a Deodorant?
Bacteria that thrive on sweat is the main cause of foul body odor. A deodorant’s purpose is to stop this odor from occurring, along with reducing how much you sweat. Sweat does not usually have a bad and strong body odor, but having sweat stains can be embarrassing.
In this case, try looking for a deodorant or antiperspirant that provides extra strength protection. Though, according to the Wall Street Journal, if a brand wants to advertise that their deodorant will provide “all-day protection” the FDA only requires that it reduces sweat by 20%.
The bacteria that thrive in areas of your body that sweat are the cause of bad body odor. A good example is your armpit. Try smelling it after a workout and you will understand why deodorant is necessary.
Deodorants typically have fragrances. These are composed using deodorizers in a bid to ensure there is control of natural body odors. Contrary to popular belief, a deodorant will not stop body odor. Instead, it will neutralize the odors resulting from a combination of sweat and bacteria.
How Deodorants Work
The best description of a deodorant is an alcohol based fragrance with chemicals added. The triclosan metal cholent compounds and antimicrobials are part of the composition. They are added to ensure the odor created by bacteria becomes neutralized.
That said, deodorants are a crucial part of the beauty and cosmetic industry. In 1888, the house name for deodorants was Mum. Currently, the product is available for both women and men. Applications vary in the sense that you can use them as liquid roll-ons and sprays. There are even gel and solid stick applicators.
A deodorant serves various purposes such as:
- Easily transported for shower body odor control or sports functions
- Works against bacteria that causes body odor
- Is an affordable option for ensuring pleasant body odor
- Can be applied to other parts of the body as required
- Neutralizes body odor caused by sweat and bacteria
What is a Cologne?
A cologne can be described as a mixture of various fragrances. It is composed of solvents and essential oils to produce the required scent. The art of making a good cologne has been handed down to generations for a long time.
In the past, the first colognes were mixed beeswax, fat, or oils. Present day colognes use a mix of alcohol diluted with aromatic essential oils. This may include the use of perfume oils and water. The strength of a cologne is determined by the ratio of the alcohol added and the use of perfume oils.
How Colognes Work
A cologne makes you feel good, by improving the way you smell using different scents. Currently, these products use a variety of essential oils from a number of sources. This is why you may find some colognes to be woody, spicy, or floral based. Alternatively, they can also be herb or fruit-scented.
Your body’s pulse point is the best place to apply cologne. You can also add it to your clothing. The reason why pulse points are a good spot to target is their heat release. These parts of the body release heat that helps in the diffusion of the cologne. The higher the concentration of the cologne, the longer it lasts.
Unlike deodorants, colognes are different and serve purposes such as:
- Has varying prices due to the strength of each fragrance
- They are more of signature aromas. This is due to the choice for wearers selections cologne with associations with celebrities or brand names
- Colognes make you feel good
- Used to enhance your scent
Colognes vs. Deodorants: The Comparison
There are various factors that differentiate a cologne and a deodorant. Knowing these factors will help you understand their differences.
Function
You can apply cologne on both clothing and your body to ensure you smell great. Depending on the intensity of the scent, you may need to apply it throughout the day.
Deodorant is used on the body, primarily in your armpits. It works by ensuring offensive odors caused by bacteria and sweat are masked. Even though it functions to reduce odors, about 40% of young adults choose to not apply deodorant before leaving the house.
This means cologne creates great smelling aromas while deodorants stop bad odor from your body.
Composition
Cologne is made using an alcohol base and essential oils from various fragrances. The intensity of the fragrant oils increase depending on the cologne maker.
A deodorant, on the other hand, has chemicals designed to prevent bad odor causing bacteria. They can be made with aluminum, which has recently caused more brands to find more natural ways to create deodorants.
Deodorants have a small percentage of fragrant essential oils. In general, colognes come in the form of bottles and spray mists. Deodorants are usually made of stick and roll-on applicators. However, there are some deodorants that come in sprays.
Intensity
Ingredients in a cologne make it have a higher fragrance intensity. This means stronger colognes will last longer on the body. The downside of such fragrances is their high cost.
Deodorants can have a scent; however, their chemical additives and function reduce their intensity substantially.
Cosmetic Value
Each of these products have a cosmetic value. They mainly differ in function. For example, a person who is looking for a deodorant will do so due to its functional nature. Colognes have a more luxurious cosmetic value than a functional value.
This is why some of the colognes in the market cost way more than deodorants from the same brand.
Cost and Presentation
There are several factors that will affect the cost of a cologne and deodorant. The main factor affecting the cost is the quantity of essentials oils. In colognes, the composition of the product and the percentage of essential oils will affect the cost of the cologne.
Deodorants cost less and are effective for everyday use. Colognes are packaged in different quantities and qualities. This is why it is common to find colognes with bottles that have been designed with an artistic touch.
Conclusion
The main difference between a cologne and deodorant is the use and the ingredients in them. Colognes are preferred by people who do not have an issue with spending more to smell good. Deodorants are preferred by people who work with a budget and just want to prevent bad body odor.