Aluminium Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex Gly

Do you use antiperspirant? That stuff that looks and smells like deodorant, but some how stops you from sweating?  Ever wondered what the difference between deodorant and antiperspirant is? Well it’s a chemical called Aluminium Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex Gly. Bit of

a mouthful eh?

So what is Aluminium Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex Gly?

Well it’s a chemical compound used in antiperspirants, and cosmetics that has the ability to clog up pores blocking any sweat to come out of those pores. The compound is made up from 6 subgroups, those subgroups are; Glycine, Aluminium, Zirconium, Chlorine, Alcohol, and a water molecule¹.

So how does it work?

Well the Aluminum found in the compound binds to the proteins and to walls of the sweat duct. After it binds it continues to collect more proteins that are being carried by the sweat, growing and eventually blocking any sweat from coming through the pore⁶.

Any health risks?

All the health risks are linked to that Aluminium found in the compound. These health risks are developing a rash, acne, or itching in the area the product was applied to ⁴. If those side effects occur from using the product, you can stop using the product and the side effects will go away ^2,3.

How about all the controversies?

The controversies include: causing cancer since the pores are closed and toxins cannot leave the body and will cause infection in the lymph nodes and aluminum in high concentration can cause Alzheimer’s diseases ^2,3. Fortunately, the studies that show that are only found in “natural alternative medicine” websites, and do not have enough data to back up the claims. So until there are any real research that backs up the claims, you can feel free to use it safely!

References:

1.   Aluminum Zirconium Octachlorohydrex GLY. Pubchem. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/72941670 (retrieved  October 17, 2017)

2.   Watson, S. Antiperspirant Safety: Should You Sweat It? WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/features/antiperspirant-facts-safety#1 (retrieved October 15, 2017).

3.   Thurman, C. The Effects of Aluminum on the Skin. Livestrong. https://www.livestrong.com/article/201752-the-effects-of-aluminum-on-the-skin/ (retrieved October 15, 2017).

4.   Pharmacopeia, U. S., United States Pharmacopeial Convention, ebrary, I., Ebook Central - Academic Complete, & United States Adopted Names Council. (2007;2006;). 2007 USP dictionary of USAN and international drug names (43;43th; ed.). Rockville, Md: U.S Pharmacopeia.

6.   Bretagne A., Cotot, F. Arnaud-Roux M. The mechanism of eccrine sweat pore plugging by aluminium salts using microfluidics combined with small angle X-ray scattering. http://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2017/sm/c6sm02510b#!divAbstract. (retrieved October 19, 2017).

5.   Deodorant stick. ClipArt. http://images.clipartpanda.com/odor-clipart-deodorant-stick.png  (retrieved October 30, 2017).

6.   Skull. Pixabay. https://pixabay.com/p-153588/?no_redirect (retrieved October 30,2017).