Aluminium in Antiperspirant Deodarants

For years now there has been a debate about aluminium compounds contributing or may cause cancer. I took a closer look on how this works.

Aluminium compounds such as aluminium zirconium and aluminium chloride, are used in many antiperspirants to shrink the sweat gland and prevent wetness. So basically it stops the flow of sweat to the skin's surface.


Some research suggests that aluminium based compounds which are applied frequently and left on the skin near the breast, maybe absorbed by the skin and cause estrogen-like (hormonal effects). Because estrogen has the ability to promote breast cancer cells some scientist have suggested that the aluminium-based compounds in antiperspirants may contribute to the development of breast cancer.

Studies on antiperspirant deodarants and breast cancer have provided conflicting results more research is needed to investigate further.


So what do we do now? I prefer to sought out other alternatives (currently using Burt's Bees deodarant) like one without aluminium compound and yes you have to read the very small print at the back to see if these compounds exist.

But let me make things a little easier. Your regular brands, like Rexona for instance, contain aluminium but there are brands out there that do not. Shop for deodarants and not antiperspirants as most if not all contain aluminium. The very least don't use after shaving or on broken or irritated skin.