Asked by: Gavin Rhys, Cardiff
No, they just have different fragrances – and packaging. The chemicals that do the hard work are generally the same.
Deodorants target bacteria with antibacterials, while antiperspirants reduce sweat levels with aluminium- or zirconium-based chemicals. These react with sweat to form polymer plugs that prevent perspiration escaping from sweat glands. Body odour develops when bacteria on our skin start to break down sweat using enzymes.
According to Swiss research, bacteria feasting on male sweat produce higher levels of a cheesy, rancid chemical called 3-hydroxy-3-methylhexanoic acid (HMHA). Meanwhile, female sweat provides more of the sulphur-rich 3-methyl-3-sulfanylhexan-1-ol (MSH) chemical, reminiscent of onions and tropical fruit.
Subscribe to BBC Focus magazine for fascinating new Q&As every month and follow @sciencefocusQA on Twitter for your daily dose of fun facts.