Is Aluminum Chloride Safe? 15-Year Old Myth debunked

Many questions have been asked regarding the safety of aluminum chloride. Nowadays, much effort is done to reduce chemicals in all the products that we use daily, especially when people want to go more natural in the products they use.

Organic and natural options are sought to reduce hazardous chemicals that have caused an outbreak of many diseases and have claimed the lives of uncounted individuals.

Aluminum chloride has been on the list of chemicals that may have side effects and leave a long-term negative impact on your health.  So, the burning question remains: Is aluminum chloride safe?

You’re not alone in dealing with sweat-related problems. I have been managing and dealing with hyperhidrosis for over 2 decades now so I do know how hard it is. Read my story here.

In this article, I am going to share what research says about aluminum chloride and how it is used in antiperspirants.

But first of all, check out a very informative video from Dr. Oz.

What Is Aluminum Chloride?

Aluminum chloride, a chemical element from the non-ductile metal group of boron, is used in rubber, to treat water, paint, among others.  It is used in the form of salts.

However, the most noticeable use for aluminum chloride is in antiperspirants. This silvery-white and soft metal form a gel-like substance that plugs the sweat glands and closes the pores of your skin temporarily.

This metal is the best-known solution for individuals suffering from hyperhidrosis. Although it gives temporary relief, it prevents sweat marks on your clothes and helps you gain back your self-confidence.

In literally every synthetic antiperspirant/deodorant you will find this chemical and you have likely used one of these at some point in your life. Maybe you are still using it.

Side Effects

Aluminum chloride has a few well-known side effects. People that have used clinical strength antiperspirants know a few of them very well.

When applied to your skin, and especially in your armpits, which are highly sensitive, it can cause tingling, mild to severe itching, skin irritation, and sometimes even severe rashes.

In rare cases, research has found that trouble with breathing, swelling of tongue and throat can be traced back to the use of aluminum chloride.

However, when used as an antiperspirant, it is combined with other substances and used only in small portions so you will not have to fear any serious side effects.

If you ever experience abnormalities after using antiperspirants, do not hesitate to see your doctor.

Aluminum chloride in its pure form should never be eaten because it would burn the tissue of your inner organs and leave behind serious damage. Also, breathing this chemical can cause a series of problems, like vomiting, headaches, trouble breathing, among others. Also, avoid contact with eyes.

Whenever aluminum chloride comes in contact with moisture, it starts to have a chemical reaction, and then it starts to burn.

Therefore, when applying clinical strength antiperspirants to your armpits, palms, etc., you want to make sure that the affected area is completely dry and stays dry for at least 4 hours after application in order to prevent irritation.

Precautions

When using aluminum salts, there are few precautions you need to take. First of all, if your skin becomes irritated or you get a severe rash, consult with your doctor immediately.

Also, let your doctor or pharmacist know if you have any other allergies. Other allergies you may have, can be affected.

However, these cases are very rare and I am just outlining this so you get the idea. I have used clinical strength antiperspirants for some time, and I have experienced the tingling, and mild irritation and itching, but it happened more when I left a trace of moisture before application.

If you are pregnant, consult your doctor before as well. It should only be used if necessary. If you do not have a serious sweating problem, you should clearly not use this product while pregnant.

While there is no proof that aluminum chloride goes into breast milk and no data to the moment that it can have side effects on you or your baby, it is highly advisable that you don’t apply while breastfeeding either.

Other than that, there are no specific precautions to be taken. Use as described and you are good to go.

Is Aluminum Chloride Safe?

Now to the burning question regarding the safety of aluminum chloride.

The earliest aluminum chloride therapy dates back to 1916. Over the years, many studies have been made.

I remember the email with a PowerPoint presentation that I got around 15 years ago where antiperspirants and deodorants were under examination. It said that aluminum chloride caused cancer, Alzheimer’s, and other diseases.

The question only remained: What should I use then for my sweating and bad odors? Back then, I had no all-natural options available and we did not know how to make something at home. So we continued to use them, against better knowledge.

The matter of the fact is that in the 1950s and 1960s, studies were done on mice and rabbits. The research concluded that cell damage was done with the application of aluminum chloride, which was a precursor to dementia and cancer.

However, these studies were never able to prove their theory. In theory, it sounded true, but no evidence was there to prove it right.

Also, through the foods that we eat, we consume more aluminum than we apply to our underarms. Food would then have to be considered a risk factor as well.

Around 15 years ago, this myth was finally debunked by the American Cancer Society and the Alzheimers Association. Studies were done on thousands of patients and not enough evidence was found that the use of aluminum chloride in antiperspirants would have been directly linked to any of these diseases.

In fact, it was found that only a 0.012% of aluminum chloride was absorbed by the body, which is such a small percentage, that the chance of building up in your body or cause cell destruction would not be able to happen.

Your skin is there to protect the inner organs of the body from dangers that can be found outside. As with other chemicals, sweating brings them out and will not let them in. That is not to state that nothing comes into your body through your skin, but your skin is there to protect you.

Therefore, not many chemicals used in antiperspirants can be absorbed by your body.

I do not suggest that you overdo these chemicals. Use them as needed only. I would never expose my body to more chemicals than clearly needed.

After extensive research is done by honorable institutions, there is not much doubt left that aluminum chloride is safe to use. Just be cautious of side effects, as described above.

How Is Aluminum Chloride Used?

One thing that sticks out is that this chemical is highly effective when treating excessive sweating. It blocks the sweat glands. In one study done by Scholes, patients were treated with 20% aluminum chloride in alcohol and all treatments were successful. All patients were completely dry in their armpits for the next few days, while others were sweating tolerably.

Today, most formulas for underarms contain between 12-15% aluminum chloride, as it has been proven to be as effective as 20%. Only that it is more tolerable because of skin irritation.

However, palmar hyperhidrosis seems to not be relieved by 15% of aluminum chloride. Only up to 30% will reduce or stop palmar sweating.

Never attempt to use palmar antiperspirants on your underarms because it could cause severe skin irritation, depending on the product used. Also, palmar sweating will not stop completely when using antiperspirants for your armpits.

Which Antiperspirants are Most Effective?

In recent years, many different and effective antiperspirants have made their way into the market. There are those that reduce moderate sweating, which is the norm for most people.  Many people should not even be using antiperspirants because they sweat so little that they would not need it.

Then there are those people that sweat moderately and need stronger antiperspirants.

And lastly, you find people like me that sweat excessively in their armpits day-in and day-out.  If you are one of those, I highly recommend using clinical strength antiperspirants like Sweatblock.  Sweatblock has changed my life completely and I was able to get my self-confidence back by applying a considerable amount of aluminum chloride once per week and my sweating is totally gone and I can enjoy wearing the clothes that I like.

Conclusion

Is aluminum chloride safe? On a final remark, aluminum chloride is safe and very effective in treating hyperhidrosis. If you live with hyperhidrosis, you know how embarrassing it can be, and how your social life always spins around the fact that you sweat excessively.

Having experienced it myself, I am so glad that there is a safe solution for me. I have been using it in the past years and I am extremely happy with the results. The clinical strength antiperspirants have given me back my confidence, and my social life has improved ever since.

Did I answer your questions regarding the safety of aluminum chloride? Did you know that there were studies that state there is a lack of evidence that aluminum chloride causes Alzheimer, cancer and other diseases? What do you think?

Please leave a comment below. I’d love to hear from you. Also, I invite you to share this article with friends and family. Maybe they are stressed about the deodorants and antiperspirants they use because they were misinformed. Spread the word.