aluminium chlorohydrate

Aluminium chlorohydrate is a group of water-soluble aluminium salts widely used as the active ingredient in over-the-counter antiperspirant cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. It is applied topically to the axillary skin to manage hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) and general perspiration. The compound acts via a physical mechanism of action, dissolving in sweat or moisture on the skin surface to form a temporary gel-like plug within the ducts of the eccrine sweat glands, thereby mechanically blocking the release of sweat. Key clinical bioavailability studies conducted by TNO (commissioned by Cosmetics Europe) using a rare isotope 26Al microtracer approach demonstrated that systemic absorption of aluminium through the skin is extremely low (approximately 0.00052% to 0.012% of the applied dose), indicating negligible systemic exposure from normal antiperspirant use.

Other names

aluminum chlorohydrateACHaluminium chloride hydroxide