What is inside an antiperspirant. Without ‘harmful’ and ‘beneficial’ labels.

We review every ingredient in the context of the formula: its function, regulatory assessment, possible local reactions and the products in which it appears.

17 ingredients

A

SolventAlcohol Denat.Denatured alcoholDissolves ingredients and helps the formula dry quickly.Conditioning ingredientAllantoinAllantoinSupports skin comfort and conditioning.Botanical conditioning ingredientAloe Barbadensis Leaf GelAloe vera leaf gelUsed to support the conditioning and moisturizing profile of the formula.Antiperspirant active ingredientAluminum ChlorideAluminum chlorideTemporarily reduces sweat release in the treated area.Antiperspirant active ingredientAluminum ChlorohydrateAluminum chlorohydrateReduces sweating in the application area.Antiperspirant active ingredientAluminum SesquichlorohydrateAluminum sesquichlorohydrateAn antiperspirant active ingredient used to reduce wetness.Antiperspirant active ingredientAluminum Zirconium Trichlorohydrex GlycineAluminum zirconium trichlorohydrex glycineAn active ingredient used in sticks and other non-aerosol antiperspirants.

C

Botanical conditioning ingredientChamomilla Recutita Flower ExtractChamomile flower extractAn additional skin-conditioning and care ingredient.Volatile siliconeCyclopentasiloxaneCyclopentasiloxaneHelps the product spread and creates a quick-dry feel.

D

Silicone conditioning ingredientDimethiconeDimethiconeImproves slip, spreadability and after-feel.

G

HumectantGlycerinGlycerinHelps retain water and support skin comfort.

H

HumectantHyaluronic AcidHyaluronic acidSupports the moisturizing profile and skin feel.

P

Humectant and conditioning ingredientPanthenolPanthenolSupports hydration and a comfortable skin feel.FragranceParfum / FragranceFragrance compositionAdds scent to a product or masks the odor of raw materials.PreservativePhenoxyethanolPhenoxyethanolHelps protect a water-based formula from microbial contamination.Solvent and humectantPropylene GlycolPropylene glycolHelps dissolve ingredients, retain moisture and influence viscosity.

S

Fatty alcohol and structuring agentStearyl AlcoholStearyl alcoholProvides firmness in a stick, improves texture and softens application.

The name is only the beginning

Concentration, product format and directions matter just as much as the name of the salt.

IngredientRoleWhere it appearsAnalysis

Aluminum ChlorideTemporarily reduces sweat release in the treated area.OKEY, Odaban, Dry Dry, Perspirex, Perspirex

Aluminum ChlorohydrateReduces sweating in the application area.Dry Dry, Rexona, NIVEA, Deonica

Aluminum SesquichlorohydrateAn antiperspirant active ingredient used to reduce wetness.Rexona

Aluminum Zirconium Trichlorohydrex GlycineAn active ingredient used in sticks and other non-aerosol antiperspirants.Certain Dri

Context matters more than a score

Function

Why the ingredient is included: sweat control, solubility, texture, skin care or formula preservation.

Exposure

Concentration, application area, aerosol or non-aerosol format and skin condition all change the context.

Evidence

Regulatory conclusions apply to specific jurisdictions and conditions. We do not automatically extend them to every formula.