Aluminum in Cosmetics

Aluminum in Antiperspirants

The most significant concern regarding aluminum in hygiene products is its use in antiperspirants.1 Aluminum compounds, such as aluminum chloride and aluminum zirconium, are used in these products to block sweat glands, reducing perspiration.2 However, this method of action has a worrisome side effect: it means aluminum is applied directly to the skin, particularly under the arms, an area near the breasts.[3] Studies have raised alarms about this proximity, suggesting a link between long-term aluminum exposure and breast cancer.4

Research shows that aluminum can be absorbed into the skin and has been detected in breast tissue.5 Scientists say that aluminum can act as an endocrine disruptor, interfering with estrogen receptors in breast tissue.6 Estrogen plays a key role in the development of some breast cancers, and the presence of aluminum in breast tissue has raised concerns that it may contribute to cancerous growths.7

 

Other Hygiene and Cosmetic Products Containing Aluminum

Antiperspirants aren’t the only products containing aluminum.8 Many other everyday hygiene and beauty products also include this metal in various forms, contributing to cumulative exposure.9

  • Sunscreens: Certain sunscreens contain aluminum hydroxide as a stabilizing agent.10 Although its use is approved by health regulatory bodies, the potential for skin absorption, particularly when applied in large quantities and exposed to heat, is concerning.11
  • Toothpaste: Aluminum compounds can be found in some types of toothpaste as abrasives or whitening agents.12 This frequent, direct contact with the sensitive tissues of the mouth could pose risks, especially over extended use.13
  • Lipsticks and Lip Balms: Aluminum may be used as a pigment in lipsticks and balms.14 The repeated application of these products, particularly on mucous membranes like the lips, increases the likelihood of ingestion and absorption of aluminum.15
  • Body Lotions and Makeup: Aluminum is also found in some moisturizers, foundations, and powders, where it serves as a thickening agent or pigment.16 Given the extensive use of these products on large areas of the skin, the potential for aluminum absorption is significant.17

 

The Daily Aluminum Exposure Concern

The most alarming aspect of aluminum in hygiene and cosmetic products is not the presence of it in a single product, but the cumulative exposure we face.18 From deodorants to sunscreens and body lotions, we rub aluminum-containing products into our skin daily, often multiple times a day.19 The skin, though an effective barrier, still absorbs substances applied to it—especially with long-term, continuous exposure.20

Even though the quantities of aluminum in individual products may be considered “safe” by regulatory standards, the issue lies in the cumulative effect.21 We are exposing ourselves to higher levels of aluminum than previously thought, and for longer durations than ever before.22

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Scientific References

  1. Foulkes, D., et al. (2017). The role of aluminum in autism spectrum disorder: A toxicological perspective. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14(11), 1350.
  2. Yates, J. D., & Cormier, T. A. (2019). Aluminum toxicity and the blood-brain barrier: Implications for autism. Neuroscience Letters, 704, 47-51.
  3. Sienkiewicz, Z. (2020). Aluminum exposure and its potential link to neurological disorders. Environmental Toxicology, 35(6), 809-818.
  4. Klatte, J., & Köhler, H. (2018). The role of aluminum exposure in childhood neurodevelopmental disorders. Journal of Environmental Health, 81(12), 32-38.
  5. O’Brien, P. A., et al. (2015). Aluminum in vaccines and its potential contribution to autism spectrum disorder. The Lancet Neurology, 14(10), 1147-1148.
  6. McLachlan, K. A., et al. (2020). Aluminum in vaccines and its potential contribution to autism spectrum disorder. Vaccine, 38(11), 2569-2576.
  7. Soni, M., & Williams, R. (2017). Toxicological effects of aluminum on the human body and its possible role in autism. Toxicology Reports, 4, 249-255.
  8. Exley, C. (2009). Silicon in drinking water protects against aluminum-induced cognitive deterioration. Neurotoxicology, 30(2), 182-185.
  9. Exley, C. (2013). Aluminum and the human central nervous system: A review. Journal of Neurology, 260(4), 1012–1022.
  10. Barregard, L., et al. (2016). Aluminum in drinking water and its association with neurodevelopmental disorders. Environmental Health Perspectives, 124(8), 1167-1175.
  11. Walker, S. H., & Welch, E. M. (2021). Aluminum in the environment and its neurotoxic effects: Implications for autism research. Environmental Science and Technology, 55(12), 7451-7462.
  12. Smith, C. A., et al. (2014). The influence of environmental aluminum exposure on developmental neurotoxicity. Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology, 38(3), 624-632.