Deodorants: aluminum salts, dangerous for health?

Published on 04/29/2024 15:46

Is there a better ally than his deo in the event of a heat stroke? Surely not. But it is clear that with the growing supply, we do not know which deodorant to trust. Not to mention that the controversy continues to swell around aluminum salts. Web benefits takes stock and tells you the whole truth about deodorants.

Aluminum salts: what is it?

At the base, aluminum is a metal. We are therefore entitled to wonder what it does in the composition of our favorite cosmetics . Explanation: Aluminum salts reduce the pore size of the skin, reducing the flow of perspiration . In other words, they regulate sweating . And the antiperspirants are mainly composed of aluminum salts . Their role ? Partially block our sweat pores to regulate perspiration ... Having millions of sweat glands on our entire body, which allow us among other things to regulate its temperature , antiperspirants implement this action of "flocking" only where they are applied. And by acidifying the medium, they also have an anti-bacterial and deodorant activity . Anti-perspirants only work on the surface and that's good! Because if the aluminum salts were absorbed by the skin, they would not be effective. And even assuming that an extremely small amount of aluminum salts penetrate the skin, it would be negligible compared to sources of aluminum absorption (water, food products , drugs ...). Like all cosmetics, deodorants are framed by draconian legislation. They must meet security criteria and are therefore subject to numerous tests (currently more and more controversial).

Aluminum salts: attention danger?

It seems that the aluminum salts contained in the antiperspirants promote the development of certain diseases such as breast cancer or Alzheimer's disease. But the French Agency for Sanitary Safety of Health Products ( Afssaps ) as well as the European Cosmetics Association ( COLIPA ) agree that there is no scientific basis for the allegation that their use may be associated with any health risk . So no, aluminum salts do not increase the risk of breast cancer or Alzheimer's disease, as many claim, since studies evoking their alleged dangerousness suffer from numerous biases and the causal link has never been proven. . The World Health Organization, which recently examined their safety of use, has come to the conclusion that "there is no indication that aluminum is carcinogenic ". Like all cosmetics, anti-perspirants and deodorants are framed by the most draconian legislation . They must meet very strict safety criteria and are subject to an extremely rigorous battery of tests before being put on the market.
Only products with all the guarantees of safety for the consumer are marketed. So keep your head cool and avoid hot shots!

What effective alternative to aluminum salts?

In the face of the supposed dangers, the "anti- aluminum " war in deodorants is declared.

To avoid any risk, we recommend:

To use deodorants without alcohol, without hydrochloride aluminum. (The little extra: You risk less irritation).
To opt for biological deodorants . (Hint: The organic label is easily identifiable thanks to the logo "cosmetics bio cosmebio charter")
Use a deodorant stone alum , ultra green, provided it is 100% natural. For the knowledge ? This mineral must be marked "alum potassium" which ensures a natural production or the name " natural alum stone ".

If, despite everything, you decide to stay true to your anti-perspirant : put in very little, wiping the excess so that the body absorbs a minimum of supposed toxic products.