Aluminum salts / Aluminium salt

Are aluminum salts in antiperspirants harmful? In short: No.

There is no real scientific evidence that aluminum salts (aluminum chloride or chlorohydrate) or any other ingredients in antiperspirants pose a threat to human health. So why have rumors about the health risks of using antiperspirants been circulating for years? In short: Because anyone can make unverified claims on the internet without citing scientific evidence.

However, the issue is different when it comes to product formulation and market approval. The control of cosmetic products is extremely strict in all Western societies, and the chance of getting a harmful antiperspirant from a pharmacy is zero.

Learn more about aluminum salts, their action, and whether there are really potential risks to your health.

Characteristics and chemical composition

Aluminum chloride (aluminum trichloride) is a chemical compound – a binary salt composed of aluminum and chlorine, with the formula AlCl3. It has various chemical applications as a catalyst and reagent. In the form of aluminum chloride hexahydrate, it is used as a active ingredient in antiperspirants (products against sweating), as well as in medicinal products with antihemorrhagic (blood-stopping) action. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves the use of aluminum chloride as an active ingredient in formulas up to 15%.

Use in cosmetic products

Aluminum chloride is the ingredient that makes antiperspirants effective against sweating. The substance forms a reliable barrier against sweat. Antiperspirants with aluminum chloride safely reduce the amount of sweat released. Clinical studies show that aluminum salts block the distal ducts of overactive sweat glands. The metal ions form a “plug” that blocks the secretion (not the production) of sweat.

Thus, sweat is still produced during heat stress, but thanks to our perfectly regulated body, a signal is sent to the brain to reduce or stop secretion from the blocked sweat gland. There is no accumulation of sweat in the skin or its redirection and release from other parts of the body.

In other words, the body's thermoregulation is not disrupted, but the unpleasant consequences of sweating are avoided. No sweat stains on clothes, no unpleasant odor, and no damp feeling for days on end, all with just one application per week.

The normal function of the sweat glands is restored with the renewal of the epidermis (the surface layer of the skin), which requires reapplication of a product with aluminum chloride only after 7 to 10 days. This makes these products quite economical – realistically, one or two packages can be enough for a whole year.

Combination with other substances in cosmetic products

Some bacteria, constantly present on the skin surface, break down sweat. This reaction leads to unpleasant odors, most pronounced in the armpits, feet, and groin areas.

This is why good antiperspirants also contain antibacterial ingredients in their formula, such as methenamine, which has a broad spectrum of action.

Another ingredient often added not only to antiperspirants but to almost every cosmetic product is glycerin. It not only retains the product in the skin but also hydrates and softens it.

On the Bulgarian market, products combining all these ingredients in their formula and effective against sweating are offered in the Odorex Deo series by biotrade.

When can it be harmful and why?

There are no scientific studies suggesting that aluminum chloride in antiperspirants is harmful to your health. Antiperspirants and deodorants are effective and safe for regular use.

Many people have the misconception that antiperspirants stop sweating and thus harmful toxins remain trapped in the body, disrupting the body's thermoregulation.

Experts dispute this belief based on two facts:

• Toxins are removed from the body through the liver and kidneys, not through sweating!
• Antiperspirants with aluminum chloride do not change the overall ability of the body to sweat. They only block the overactive sweat glands that have enough fluid to react and form a gel-like plug. Other sweat glands are not blocked and continue to function normally. Sweat is produced by 5 million sweat glands all over the body, while antiperspirants and deodorants are applied only to the armpits, feet, and palms (if necessary), where a negligible amount of sweat is produced compared to all other areas of the body. Yes, we know it doesn’t feel that way; it’s just that we experience great discomfort in these areas. Sweat under the armpits and on the feet is usually more noticeable because it does not evaporate easily.

Who should avoid it?

Aluminum chloride is extremely effective at preventing sweating, but it can be irritating to the skin in some cases.

To avoid irritation or itching, choose a product with glycerin and follow the usage instructions exactly as stated on the packaging.

• Apply to completely dry skin.
• Do not rub, but pat when applying.
• Do not use immediately after shaving – wait 48 hours.
• Do not use on broken or irritated skin.

It is not recommended for pregnant women, as it has not been tested on them, nor for people with chronic skin conditions such as psoriasis.

Do not use if you have hypersensitivity to aluminum salts.

Fungal and other inflammatory foot conditions should be treated before applying a product with aluminum chloride.

If you have any doubts, stop using the product immediately and consult a dermatologist.