What is an aerosol product? How does it differ from a regular spray?

An aerosol product is a formulation in which active ingredients (solution, emulsion, or suspension) are packaged together with a propellant in a pressurized container equipped with a special valve system. Upon activation, the propellant’s pressure expels the contents as a mist, foam, or stream. The defining feature is the “propellant”—this is the fundamental difference between aerosols and regular sprays.

A regular spray product (such as a manual pump bottle) contains no propellant and relies on mechanical pressure differential from a pump to expel liquid, typically producing larger droplets. An aerosol, by contrast, uses the force generated when the propellant transitions from liquid to gas, producing finer, more uniform particles. This is why aerosol products are typically packaged in metal pressure-rated cans.