Aluminium salts
Aluminium salts have been used for over half a century as the active ingredient in antiperspirants to control sweat and associated body odour. In fact, the traditional use of aluminium to combat body odour dates back hundreds of years, in regions like Europe, Mexico, Thailand and Asia. Today, aluminium salts help millions of people around the world feel and smell fresh, and enjoy more self-confidence.
Antiperspirant products containing aluminium salts are effective, extensively evaluated and safe to use on a regular basis. This view is supported by Unilever’s safety scientists, and a number of cancer experts, health charities and health authorities.
Your questions answered:
What are aluminium salts?
Aluminium salts are derived from aluminium, a common element on Earth. Aluminium occurs naturally in soil and water and is in many foods.
Why are aluminium salts used in antiperspirants?
Aluminium salts are an antiperspirant’s active ingredient – to control sweat and associated body odour. When an antiperspirant is applied, the salts dissolve in the sweat or moisture in the underarm. The dissolved substance forms a gel, which creates a temporary ‘plug’ in the sweat gland, reducing the amount of sweat that can rise to the skin’s surface. Aluminium salts are also natural antimicrobial agents, so they control bacteria on the skin, reducing unpleasant odours.
What is the difference between an antiperspirant and a deodorant?
The terms ‘antiperspirant’ and ‘deodorant’ are often used interchangeably but they do in fact refer to different products.
Antiperspirants control sweat and body odour in two ways: by preventing sweat reaching the skin surface and by controlling the bacteria that cause body odour. Deodorants do not affect the flow of sweat, they simply prevent body odour.
Are aluminium salts safe?
Yes. Antiperspirants have been used for more than half a century and are effective, extensively evaluated and safe to use on a regular basis. Safety is a priority for Unilever and all our products are rigorously assessed before being made available on the market. We also review all new research, as well as helping to fund studies to provide additional reassurance.
Antiperspirants with aluminium may be used daily, a health risk for consumers is unlikely according to current scientific knowledge
Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Germany
Does using an antiperspirant increase the chance of breast cancer or Alzheimer’s disease?
Various research studies have looked for a link between aluminium in antiperspirants and breast cancer or Alzheimer’s disease. However, cancer experts, charities and health authorities, including the US Food and Drug Administration and the EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety, say there is no convincing scientific evidence that the risk of breast cancer or Alzheimer’s increases with antiperspirant use.
Using deodorants, antiperspirants and body sprays does not increase the risk of cancer. Some people are worried that aluminium in deodorants and aerosol sprays causes breast cancer. In part this worry stems from these products being applied near the breast. But the best studies have shown no link between aluminium, deodorants and breast cancer
Cancer Research UK
There is no plausible evidence that the use of aluminium-containing cosmetics and skin care products can increase the risk of breast cancer or Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases
EU Commission’s independent Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS)
Studies have failed to confirm any role for aluminum in causing Alzheimer’s. Almost all scientists today focus on other areas of research, and few experts believe that everyday sources of aluminum pose any threat
Alzheimer’s Association, USA
By blocking sweat glands, do antiperspirants stop people shedding harmful toxins?
No. The body sweats to control its temperature, not to remove toxins, and sweat consists almost entirely of water. Antiperspirants don’t alter the body’s ability to sweat – it controls sweat where it is applied under the underarms. People will still continue to sweat through other sweat glands around the body – we are just more aware of underarm sweat because it can’t evaporate as easily from under the arm as from other areas of the body. Antiperspirants work by dissolving in sweat to produce a thin coating on the skin which temporarily controls underarm sweating.
Are there alternatives to antiperspirant products with aluminium salts?
All antiperspirants contain aluminium which is the active ingredient that controls sweat. There are currently no antiperspirants available on the market made without aluminium salts.
People can choose to use our deodorants to control body odour and feel fresh. These products differ from antiperspirants in that they help to control the bacteria that cause body odour, but they do not contain aluminium salts that reduce the flow of sweat.
How can I tell which Unilever products contain aluminium salts?
The most common aluminium salts we use are aluminium chlorohydrate and aluminium sesquichlorohydrate. The aluminium salts used in our antiperspirant products are included in the ingredient list on the product packaging.