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Home/Toxic Ingredients/Aluminum Compounds
Ingredient analysis · Hazard 5/10

Aluminum Compounds.

Also known as: aluminum chlorohydrate, aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex, aluminum sesquichlorohydrate, aluminum starch octenylsuccinate

A group of aluminum-based compounds used primarily as the active ingredient in antiperspirants. They work by temporarily blocking sweat glands. The link between aluminum and health conditions like breast cancer and Alzheimer's disease remains scientifically debated but has not been disproven.

Hormone Disruptor
Hazard score

By the numbers.

1 = low concern, 10 = avoid.

13
Al
Aluminum26.982Post-trans. metal
Hazard Score
5
Moderate Concern
Frequency risk

Risk by usage.

How risk shifts depending on how often you use products with Aluminum Compounds.

1-2x per week

Minimal concern from occasional use.

Daily use

Daily application to abraded skin (post-shaving) may increase aluminum absorption. Debated health significance.

2+ times daily

Moderate concern. If worried about aluminum exposure, switch to aluminum-free deodorant.

Health risks

What the research says.

Debated link to breast cancer: aluminum has been found in breast tissue and may have estrogenic activity.

Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry, 2013 — aluminum and breast cancer hypothesis

Theoretical link to Alzheimer's disease based on aluminum deposits found in brain plaques, though causation is unproven.

Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 2011

Can cause contact dermatitis, irritation, and skin discoloration in the underarm area.

Regulations

Global status.

How aluminum compounds is regulated in cosmetics around the world.

Restricted in 10Allowed in 1

91% of countries with data ban or restrict this ingredient

🇺🇸USA
Restricted
Details

Antiperspirant aluminum regulated as OTC drug; max 25% as aluminum chlorohydrate.

🇪🇺EU
Restricted
Details

Aluminum salts restricted in antiperspirants; specific compounds in Annex III with limits.

🇬🇧UK
Restricted
Details

Mirrors EU; aluminum compounds restricted with limits.

🇨🇦Canada
Restricted
Details

Antiperspirant aluminum salts regulated as drugs (NHP/OTC).

🇯🇵Japan
Restricted
Details

Antiperspirants classified as quasi-drugs.

🇰🇷S. Korea
Restricted
Details

Concentration limits apply for antiperspirant use.

🇦🇺Australia
Restricted
Details

Antiperspirant salts regulated by TGA as therapeutic goods.

🇨🇳China
Restricted
Details

Restricted with limits per Safety Technical Standards.

🇧🇷Brazil
Restricted
Details

Permitted with limits per ANVISA.

🇮🇳India
Allowed
🌏ASEAN
Restricted
Details

Restricted with limits, aligned with EU.

Why it’s used

The reason brands include it.

Aluminum salts are the only FDA-approved active ingredient for antiperspirant products. They physically plug sweat ducts to reduce perspiration.

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products in our database

0

brands use it

2

product categories

Better alternatives exist. Brands choose aluminum compounds because it’s cheap and effective, but safer options like magnesium hydroxide, baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), arrowroot powder deliver similar results without the health concerns.

Categories

Aluminum Compounds in product types.

Click a category to see every product containing aluminum compounds.

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Safe alternatives

What to use instead.

magnesium hydroxide
baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
arrowroot powder
zinc ricinoleate
probiotic-based deodorants

What Numbrrrz uses instead

Numbrrrz does not formulate antiperspirants. All our products are aluminum-free.

Questions

Quick answers.

Does aluminum in deodorant cause breast cancer?
The evidence is inconclusive. Some studies have found aluminum in breast tissue and suggest estrogenic activity, but large epidemiological studies have not confirmed a causal link. If you prefer to avoid the uncertainty, aluminum-free deodorants are widely available.
Does aluminum cause Alzheimer's disease?
Aluminum has been found in the brain plaques of Alzheimer's patients, but decades of research have not established a causal link. The Alzheimer's Association states that aluminum is not considered a significant risk factor based on current evidence.
How do aluminum compounds in antiperspirant work?
Aluminum salts form a temporary gel plug in sweat ducts, physically blocking perspiration from reaching the skin's surface. This is why they are the only FDA-approved antiperspirant active ingredient -- they mechanically stop sweat rather than just masking odor.
Is applying aluminum to shaved skin dangerous?
Shaving creates micro-cuts that can increase aluminum absorption. A 2012 study in the Journal of Applied Toxicology found that aluminum absorption was significantly higher through damaged skin. This is relevant because many people apply antiperspirant immediately after shaving.
What are other names for aluminum compounds on labels?
Look for 'aluminum chlorohydrate,' 'aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex,' 'aluminum sesquichlorohydrate,' or 'aluminum starch octenylsuccinate.' Any 'active ingredient' listing in an antiperspirant will be an aluminum compound.
Does Numbrrrz use aluminum compounds?
No. Numbrrrz does not formulate antiperspirants, and all our products are completely aluminum-free. Our lip balms contain only Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Beeswax, and Vitamin E.
Choose clean

Skip the aluminum compounds.

Four organic ingredients. Zero toxins. The lip balm your body deserves.