Written by: Jasmine Biju
Image Source: Connecticut Children's
Along the aisles of many drug stores line innumerable products whose labels flaunt their aluminum-free status. To most consumers, the absence of aluminum is vacuous in meaning but the appeal of being “natural” stands out. However, what does the term “aluminum-free” pertain to in the first place? For underarm care, there are two main types of products: deodorant and antiperspirants. The distinguishing factor between deodorant and antiperspirants is their purpose: deodorant protects against odor whereas antiperspirants control perspiration, or sweat. Aluminum is found in antiperspirants and two-in-one products, not deodorants.
Antiperspirants and deodorants both respond to the implications of sweat. Sweating is a method of maintaining homeostasis, or normal body conditions, by cooling the body when the internal body temperature rises. It forms from the underarms through the apocrine glands, which are activated by the nervous system. Though sweat is completely normal, it has its own implications: it may produce an unwanted odor and leave unwanted stains.
Although we have the tendency to refer to any product used for the underarms as deodorant, there is a fine line between a deodorant and an antiperspirant. A deodorant minimizes body odor by utilizing fragrance or antibacterial compounds. Conversely, antiperspirants contain aluminum salts to plug the pores and inhibit sweat. It works by preventing apocrine glands from stimulating sweat in the underarms. Furthermore, it aids in odor control as it inhibits bacteria that feed on the sweat which exacerbates the production of sweat. While aluminum is effective in these products, data has been skewed to support and build a narrative around aluminum, which has been used as a fear-mongering technique on social media.
The speculation regarding aluminum in antiperspirants emphasizes two main health complications: Alzheimer’s disease and breast cancer. Though the link between Alzheimer’s disease and aluminum is not established, studies conducted in the 1960s to 1980s deemed Alzheimer’s disease as a potential variable in the development of the degenerative brain disorder. One study in particular conducted in 1985 amplified concerns, for the researchers discovered a correlation between high amounts of aluminum in the brain and the development of Alzheimer’s disease. However, the credibility of these studies is not authoritative, as they were dependent on the provision of patient data by individuals other than the patient themself. As of today, experts believe that there still remains to be no link between Azlheimer’s disease and aluminum.
A similar narrative can be seen in studies scrutinizing the potential link between breast cancer and aluminum-containing antiperspirants. There are two main reasons that are the basis of the notion regarding aluminum and breast cancer. Firstly, many breast cancers have developed in the outer region of the breast which is close in proximity to the underarms - the area to which antiperspirants are applied. The concern is that if antiperspirants were to be absorbed by the skin or enter through nicks, it would travel through the lymph nodes to the breast. Secondly, the aluminum salts that clog pores also may inhibit the body's ability to rid potentially cancerous substances in the sweat. However, the studies that have been conducted are not ample in declaring the link between aluminum-containing antiperspirants and breast cancer.
Further, It is particularly important for scientific developments to be firm and proven with authoritative evidence. Regarding the link between aluminum and medical conditions, there have been older studies that have failed to credibly establish a potential correlation. For studies that claimed such a relationship, many experts, including those at the American Cancer Society, stated problems and inconsistencies present in their findings. Thus, as of now, it is completely fine to continue or to start using antiperspirants that contain aluminum. In fact, it is the only active ingredient that is approved by the FDA for inhibiting the production of sweat. Having this been said, there are numerous other products to look into if you are still worried about the possible harms of aluminum. Look for the absence of the following ingredients in your skincare products: aluminum chlorohydrate or aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly.
While the validity of the data regarding links between aluminum deodorants and antiperspirants and Alzheimer’s disease and breast cancer is lacking, this has been used as a marketing technique by the skin care industry to get consumers to throw away their current products and purchase new, aluminum-free, deodorants and antiperspirants. This is exactly why it is so important for consumers to be cautious of the information they consume and why there need to be stricter regulations on health-related media misinformation.
References:
Iftikhar, N. “What to Know About Aluminium in Deodorant and Antiperspirant..” Healthline, https://www.healthline.com/health/what-to-know-about-aluminum-in-deodorant
Webster, E. “Aluminum in Deodorant: Everything You Need to Know.” TeenVogue, https://www.teenvogue.com/story/deodorant-aluminum-safety-what-you-should-know
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