Function of Antiperspirants

Antiperspirant products are relatively unusual drug formulations. Unlike most drugs, their mechanism of action is physical rather than pharmacological. Figure 1 illustrates how the antiperspirant actives form a shallow plug near the opening of an eccrine sweat duct on the skin surface (7). These blockages prevent the eccrine excretion from reaching the skin surface in the axilla without creating a significant systemic effect on the thermal regulatory system. These blockages can remain within the sweat duct for seven to 14 days depending on the rate of skin desquamation, consumer’s hygiene regime, activity type, and quality.