What is the Difference Between Aluminum Chlorohydrate and Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex

Antiperspirants form plugs in our underarm sweat glands, reducing sweat flow. This plug prevents sweat from reaching the surface of the skin, keeping it drier for longer. Both aluminum chlorohydrate and aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex (often abbreviated as aluminum zirconium) are ingredients in antiperspirants that work by blocking sweat glands.

What is the difference between aluminum chlorohydrate and aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex? Aluminum chlorohydrate forms a gel-like plug within the sweat duct, while aluminum zirconium reacts with sweat to form a temporary plug.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Aluminum Chlorohydrate  
      – Definition, Features
2. What is Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex
      – Definition, Features
3. Similarities Between Aluminum Chlorohydrate and Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex
      – Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Aluminum Chlorohydrate and Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex
      – Comparison of Key Differences
5. FAQ: Aluminum Chlorohydrate and Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex
      – Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Key Terms

Aluminum Chlorohydrate, Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex

What is Aluminum Chlorohydrate

Aluminum chlorohydrate is a water-soluble compound with the chemical formula AlCl(OH)₂⋅H₂O. It is a chemical that fights against sweat. Hence, it is used as an ingredient in antiperspirants. When aluminum chlorohydrate is applied to the skin, it comes into contact with sweat, which is a watery solution containing waste products and electrolytes. Aluminum ions react with chloride and hydroxide ions to form a gel-like substance in the sweat duct. This gel acts as a temporary plug that blocks the pathway of sweat reaching the surface of the skin.

There are many uses of aluminum chloride due to its sweat-blocking feature. It is used as the main ingredient in antiperspirants. It is also useful in water treatment. This chemical acts as a coagulant in water purification process as it binds to impurities and suspended particles separating them from water.

What is Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex

Aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex has the chemical formula AlZrCl₄(OH)₁₂·xH₂O where “x” represents an uncertain number of water molecules associated with the complex. Just like aluminum chlorohydrate, it forms a plug within the sweat duct to block the sweat.

Here is the detailed mechanism of alumini zirconium tetrachlorohydrex involved in sweat blocking. When aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex comes into contact with the skin, its components, especially the chloride and hydroxide ions present in sweat, form a gel-like substance that is different from that in the case of aluminum  chlorohydrate. This temporary plug blocks the sweat from reaching the surface of the skin.

While aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex offers a gentler approach, it might not be quite as effective as aluminum chlorohydrate in blocking sweat, especially for heavy sweating.

Similarities Between Aluminum Chlorohydrate and Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex

1. They are antiperspirant ingredients that work by blocking sweat glands.
2. They achieve sweat blockage by forming a temporary plug within the sweat duct.
3. Both involve aluminum as a key component.
4. Both are found in various antiperspirant formulations, including sprays, roll-ons, and sticks.

Difference Between Aluminum Chlorohydrate and Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex

Definition

• Aluminum chlorohydrate is a water-soluble compound with the chemical formula AlCl(OH)₂⋅H₂O while Aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex is a compound with the chemical formula AlZrCl₄(OH)₁₂·xH₂O.

Effect

• Aluminum chlorohydrate is generally considered more effective at blocking sweat than aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex.

Skin Irritation

• Aluminum chlorohydrate can be more irritating to the skin than aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex.

Mechanism of Action

• Aluminum chlorohydrate interacts with sweat components to form a polymeric network, while aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex reacts to form a slightly different gel structure.

Structure

• Aluminum chlorohydrate is a family of water-soluble complexes with varying chemical formulas, while aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex has a more defined structure.

Conclusion

Both aluminum chlorohydrate and aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex are antiperspirant ingredients that block sweat glands with a temporary plug. However, there is a distinct difference between aluminum chlorohydrate and aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex in terms of their chemical structure and reaction with sweat.

FAQ: Aluminum Chlorohydrate and Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex

1. Which antiperspirant ingredient is most effective?

The most effective antiperspirant ingredient is aluminum-based compounds, particularly aluminum chloride. Aluminum chloride works by forming a temporary plug within the sweat duct, preventing sweat from reaching the surface of the skin. The most common types of aluminum used in antiperspirants include aluminum chlorohydrate and aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex.

2. Is aluminum chlorohydrate safe for underarms?

Aluminum chlorohydrate is not readily absorbed through the skin in significant amounts. Concerns about aluminum and kidney issues are primarily for people with advanced kidney disease. Healthy kidneys efficiently remove aluminum from the body. Hence, aluminum chlorohydrate is generally considered safe for underarms.

3. What are the side effects of aluminum chlorohydrate?

Aluminum chlorohydrate is generally considered safe for underarm use, but there can be certain side effects. Skin irritation is the most common side effect. It may cause itching, burning, or redness. In rare cases, people may experience a more serious allergic reaction to aluminum chlorohydrate, with symptoms like hives, swelling, or difficulty breathing.

4. What is aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex used for?

Aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex is primarily used as an antiperspirant ingredient in deodorants and antiperspirant products. It works by forming a gel-like plug within sweat ducts, which helps prevent sweat from reaching the surface of the skin.

5. What are the chemical formulas of aluminum chlorohydrate and aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex?

The main component of the two compounds is aluminum, along with chlorine, hydrogen, oxygen, and zirconium as other elemental compositions. The chemical formula of aluminum chlorohydrate is  (OH)₂⋅H₂O, while the chemical formula of aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex is AlZrCl₄(OH)₁₂·xH₂O.

Reference:

1. “Aluminium Chlorohydrate.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation.
2. “Aluminium Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex gly.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Antiperspirant1” By Stan Zurek – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia