A deodorant is a substance applied to the body to prevent or mask body odor due to bacterial breakdown of
perspiration in the armpits , groin, and
feet, and in some cases vaginal secretions. A subclass of deodorants, called antiperspirants, prevents sweating itself, typically by blocking
sweat glands . Antiperspirants are used on a wider range of body parts, at any place where sweat would be inconvenient or unsafe, since unwanted sweating can interfere with comfort, vision , and grip (due to slipping). Other types of deodorant allow sweating but prevent bacterial action on sweat, since human sweat only has a noticeable smell when it is decomposed by bacteria.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration classifies and regulates most deodorants as
cosmetics but classifies antiperspirants as over-the-counter