Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex Gly. - Claire McCaffery

Growing up my mom tried to force many different organic and “natural” alternatives for deodorants/antiperspirants and would constantly tell me that antiperspirants would give me cancer.  This is why I decided to look into a typical ingredient found in most homes, Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex glycerine (H₇Al₂Cl₇O₇Zr₂)⁽¹⁾ also known as Antiperspirant in gel or stick deodorants.  Antiperspirants allegations for health effects are typically known do to the Aluminum within the compound ⁽²⁾.  But first I needed to understand the difference between deodorant and antiperspirant.  Deodorant is used to mask the odor produced within the underarm, and antiperspirant is used to decrease the amount of moisture/sweat within the underarm ⁽³⁾.  It works by temporarily dissolving into the pores of the skin and inhibiting moisture from leaving ⁽²⁾.

            Aluminum has been under the radar for a while suggesting that it could lead to cancer or Alzheimer’s disease. But after many studies it has been concluded that it won’t cause Alzheimer’s and no research has proven that it will cause cancer.  With that being said no information has proven to cause cancer but also no information to prove that it doesn’t cause cancer; so doctors and researches suggest that furthermore testing is needed. Everyday the average person ingest a substantial greater amount of Aluminum then a daily use of antiperspirant through food and water alone.   In the United States the FDA has made it mandatory that a label suggesting that anyone with a kidney disease should consult a doctor before use.  This is only because typically with any kind of kidney disease, you must be on a strict Aluminum diet and don’t want antiperspirants absorption through the skin to affect the intended amounts ⁽²⁾. Much of the research that I found suggested that Aluminum Zicronium Tetrachlorohydrex gly. hasn’t proven to be a harmful cosmetic product, but to consult a doctor if regulating the amount of aluminum you can absorb/ingest. 

            Some people are still more comfortable be with alternative organic choices of antiperspirants, and many can be made at home.  For example, mixing baking soda and cornstarch, lemon juice, or even rubbing alcohol.  Some other store bought alternatives are potassium aluminum sulfate stones, which are said that the aluminum is too large to be absorbed through the skin, and aluminum free deodorants/antiperspirants ⁽⁴⁾.  

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References:

¹ Chem Spider. (2014). Aluminium zirconium(4 ) chloride hydroxide (2:2:7:7). Retrieved from http://www.chemspider.com/Chemical-Structure.142933.html

² Cosmetic Info. (2013). Aluminum. Retrieved on March 29th 2014 from http://www.cosmeticsinfo.org/HBI/16

³ Klepak, P.; Walkey, J. (2000). Pouchers, perfumes, cosmetics and soaps . (10 ed., Vol. Antiperspirant & deodrant, pp. 69-97). Great Britain: Kluner Academic Publishers. Retrieved on March 29th 2014 from http://www.monzir-pal.net/Industrial/Deodrants.pdf

⁴ MNN. (2014). 5 deodorant alternatives. Retrieved on March 29^th 2014 from http://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/natural-beauty-fashion/photos/5-deodorant-alternatives/related-photos

⁵ Waschnig, D. (Photographer). (2013, 10 13). Stress Sweat Changes How we perceive Women [Web Photo]. Retrieved on March 29^th 2014 from http://www.redorbit.com/news/general/1112971964/stress-sweat-changes-perception-of-women-101013/