Aluminium Salts in Antiperspirant: why to avoid them and what to use instead
Aluminium salts plug sweat ducts to stop perspiration; regulators have assessed systemic absorption and set concentration limits, and many shoppers prefer to avoid daily application to shaved skin.
The short answer
The cancer and dementia links circulating online are not supported by the evidence. The reasonable reasons to switch are personal preference and skin irritation, not established harm — and note that alum crystal 'natural' deodorants are still aluminium.
- Where it hides
- Antiperspirants (not deodorants), some body powders
- Cleaner swap
- Deodorants using magnesium hydroxide, sodium bicarbonate, zinc ricinoleate or arrowroot with essential oils — these control odour without blocking sweat.
- Also listed as
- Aluminium chlorohydrate, Aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex GLY, ACH
The label names to scan for
- Aluminium chlorohydrate
- Aluminium zirconium tetrachlorohydrex GLY
- Aluminium chloride
- Aluminium sesquichlorohydrate
- Potassium alum (a natural but still aluminium-based salt)
What regulators have actually done
The EU's SCCS set safe-use limits of 6.25% in non-spray antiperspirants and 10.6% in sprays following an aluminium exposure reassessment. No regulator has concluded that antiperspirants cause breast cancer or Alzheimer's — those claims are not supported by current evidence.
Antiperspirant and deodorant are different products
Deodorants target the bacteria that turn sweat into odour. Antiperspirants use aluminium salts to physically block the sweat duct. If you only want to stop smelling, a deodorant is sufficient and contains no aluminium; if you need to stop sweating, aluminium is currently the only effective over-the-counter option.
The adjustment period is real
Switching from antiperspirant to deodorant usually brings a few weeks of increased sweat and odour as the skin microbiome rebalances. Baking-soda formulas can irritate — magnesium hydroxide versions are gentler for sensitive underarms.
Aluminium Salts in Antiperspirant: frequently asked questions
Does aluminium in deodorant cause breast cancer?+
No credible evidence supports this. Major cancer research bodies have reviewed it and found no causal link.
Is crystal alum aluminium-free?+
No — potassium alum is an aluminium salt. It's less absorbable, but 'aluminium-free' is inaccurate labelling.