Aluminium zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly
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Aluminium zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly is the INCI name for a preparation used as an antiperspirant in many deodorant products. It is selected for its ability to close pores in the skin and prevent sweat production. Its anhydrous form gives it the added ability of absorbing moisture. It is sometimes called AZG, and contains a mixture of monomeric and polymeric Zr4+ and Al3+ complexes with hydroxide, chloride and glycine.[1]
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[edit] Functions
Anhydrous aluminium zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly has two major functions as an antiperspirant.
Firstly, both the aluminium and zirconium ions form a gel that clogs large numbers of pores in the skin, a clog that prevents the pores from releasing sweat. This clogging ability is common among aluminium-based antiperspirants (e.g., aluminium chlorohydrate).
Secondly, it absorbs some of the sweat produced by pores that didn't get clogged in the first place. The chemical compound itself is hygroscopic.
Because these two functions reduce underarm wetness, aluminium zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly can be said to reduce body odour because it inhibits the bacterial breakdown of sweat.
[edit] Health risks
Aluminium has been identified as a neurotoxin.[2]
[edit] Clothing stains
When mixed with sweat, aluminium zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly is known to stain clothing with a yellowish tint. [1] If excessive amounts of aluminium zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly mixed with sweat come in contact with a material, bleach marks may develop.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Karl Laden, 1999, Antiperspirants and Deodorants, CRC Press,ISBN 0824717465
- ^ W. A. Banks and A. J. Kastin (1989). "Aluminum-Induced neurotoxicity: Alterations in membranes function at the blood-brain barrier". Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews 13 (1): 47–53. doi:. PMID 2671833.
