No doubt you have seen the commercial that repeatedly asks: What’s in your wallet? That, of course, is the Capital One ad. We have a different question: What’s in your armpit? If you use an antiperspirant we guarantee it is aluminum. Is there any absorption? That’s a question that has not been well answered. How dangerous is aluminum (Al) if it is absorbed?
Consider sunscreens for a moment. We have all been slathering on sunscreens for decades without a second thought. It wasn’t until the FDA announced that ingredients in sunscreen are absorbed through the skin (JAMA, Jan. 21, 2020) that we became concerned. What we learned from this research is this:
What’s smeared on the skin may not stay on the skin. Sometimes those chemicals get into the body!
Who Cares if Aluminum Gets Into the Body?
The manufacturers of antiperspirants must put aluminum in their underarm products. We have been asking the question for years: how dangerous is aluminum? More about that momentarily.
The FDA, on the other hand, not only thinks aluminum is completely safe, it insists it must be used in all antiperspirants. In fact you cannot sell an antiperspirant in the United States unless your product has aluminum. Doubt us? Just look on the label. You will find ingredients such as aluminum chlorohydrate or some other aluminum salt in all antiperspirants.
So, How Dangerous is Aluminum?
Researchers have been debating this question for decades. Here is an article in the journal Neurotoxicology (July 14, 2022). The authors studied aluminum chloride (AlCl3) in Zebrafish. By the way, aluminum chloride is found in some OTC antiperspirants:
The authors state:
“Aluminium is a metal known to cause neurotoxicity in the brain, by promoting neurodegeneration and affecting memory and cognitive ability. AlCl3 has been reported to enhance reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammatory markers which are further responsible for the degeneration of neurons. AlCl3exposure to zebrafish causes behavioral, biochemical, and neurochemical changes in the brain.”
These researchers note that zebrafish were affected negatively by exposure to aluminum chloride:
“These findings suggest that AlCl3significantly causes behavioral, biochemical, neurotransmitters, morphological, and molecular changes in zebrafish, ultimately causing AD [Alzheimer’s disease].”
Fast Forward to 2026. The title of this article in the journal BioMetals (Jan. 21, 2026) is:
“Unraveling the molecular mechanisms of aluminium chloride-induced Alzheimer’s disease”
Here are some key points from this research:
“The most prevalent neurodegenerative illness is Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Aluminium chloride (AlCl3) is a heavy metal that produces several neurodegenerative diseases, commonly AD. AlCl3 easily goes through the blood–brain barrier and reaches to brain. In this study, we reviewed literature, highlighting the various molecular mechanisms targeting AlCl3-induced neurodegenerative disorders like AD in numerous in vivo and in vitro models. Various therapeutic techniques like chelation, antioxidant, and drug therapy are used to treat AD, but a better-targeted approach and a deeper understanding of the molecular basis of Alzheimer’s due to AlCl3 intoxication are crucial. AlCl3-induced neurotoxicity involves mitochondrial disruption, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and DNA impairment, necessitating further research for treatment against aluminium (Al)-induced AD.”
What About Aluminum Pots and Pans?
For years, American scientists have made fun of people who worried about exposure to aluminum. Cooks were told that they did not have to worry about pots and pans made out of aluminum.
A small study published in the Indian Journal of Public Health (April-June, 2022) challenges that wisdom:
“Aluminum vessels are being used from a long time for various cooking purpose. Using cross-sectional study design, 90 participants, 30 in each category of normal, mild – moderate and severe Alzheimer’s disease (AD), aged of 60 years and above were enrolled using SAGE scale.
“Results showed that severity of AD was significantly associated (P < 0.05) with usage of aluminum utensils for various cooking purpose in all the three groups, with least total score for usage of aluminum vessels in normal category (3.2) and highest in severe category (18.67).
“Degree of AD positively correlated with usage of aluminum vessels.”
We are not ready to say that using aluminum pots and pans increases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, but why use something that remains controversial after all these years.
Aluminum and the Brain?
One article discusses the impact aluminum has on the genetic signaling programs in the brain “that bear a surprising resemblance to those observed in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) brain.”
Aluminum and the Breast?
Another researcher discusses the impact of antiperspirants on the breast:
“The human population is exposed to aluminium (Al) from diet, antacids and vaccine adjuvants, but frequent application of Al-based salts to the underarm as antiperspirant adds a high additional exposure directly to the local area of the human breast. Coincidentally the upper outer quadrant of the breast is where there is also disproportionately high incidence of breast cysts and breast cancer. Al has been measured in human breast tissues/fluids at higher levels than in blood, and experimental evidence suggests that at physiologically relevant concentrations, Al can adversely impact on human breast epithelial cell biology…”
The connection between aluminum (Al) and breast pathology remains highly controversial. A review in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences (Dec. 26, 2024) notes that there is no definitive conclusion about such a risk. After reviewing many studies the authors conclude:
“The above studies indicate that Al is widely distributed in the environment, is easily absorbed into the human body and can have toxic effects. Increased Al content, among others in cosmetics, may have a hypothetical effect on the development of breast cancer, and reducing the concentration of Al in cosmetics is an issue indicated as important for introduction into current national/European regulations. Some studies have shown increased concentrations of Al in the tumor or in the peritumoral zone in patients with breast cancer…Consumers are advised to limit their exposure to Al by making informed choices about consumer products. Although research is ongoing, there is no clear evidence that Al causes breast cancer. However, for those who want to minimize the risk, avoiding products containing Al can be considered a precautionary measure.
Aluminum and the Digestive Tract?
A completely new-to-us concept published in Morphologie has to do with the digestive tract. The article is titled: “Gut: An Underestimated Target Organ for Aluminum.” The authors note that:
“Although still poorly documented to date, the impact of oral exposure to aluminum in conditions relevant to real human exposure appears to be deleterious for gut homeostasis. Aluminum ingestion affects the regulation of the permeability, the microflora and the immune function of intestine.”
The Aluminum Controversy Won’t Go Away!
Many health professionals have assumed that concerns about aluminum toxicity in humans have been completely put to rest and there is no reason for concern. We disagree. Over the last decade or so there have been thousands of articles devoted to questions about aluminum toxicity.
Here is an article we wrote on this topic a years ago:
Should You Worry About Aluminum Exposure?
and this:
Aluminum and Alzheimer’s Disease: Is There a Connection?
We do not have a final answer on the big question: How Dangerous is Aluminum? It could take another decade to find out if there really is a problem or if this is all a tempest in a teapot.
Parallels to Sunscreens?
We suspect that most FDA officials don’t think much about aluminum in antiperspirants. Of course these folks didn’t think much about the chemicals in sunscreens either. They probably assumed that what you put on your skin stays on your skin. They were wrong. You can read about this in detail at the following link:
JAMA Study Proves Sunscreens ARE Absorbed into Bloodstream
A second FDA-sponsored study reveals that many popular sunscreens are absorbed through the skin and get into the circulation. How worrisome is this finding?
Aluminum-Free MoM Deodorant:
We like to err on the side of caution. That is why we came up with aluminum-free milk of magnesia (MoM) underarm deodorants.
A reader told us many years ago that MoM is a terrific way to control underarm odor. We tried it ourselves and liked the result. That eventually led us to create a variety of products including:
Our old standby, Unscented Aluminum-Free MoM Roll-on Deodorant
Sadly, many younger people never heard about milk of magnesia (a common ingredient in some laxatives). That is why we changed the name to The People’s Pharmacy Magnesium Rich Roll-On Deodorant.
Kelley in Boston gave this product 5 stars! She went on to say:
“Beyond expectations!
“I was desperate for a deodorant that was free of sunflower and coconut due to allergies. This is the most amazing product. I don’t smell and it has not irritated my skin! It does need to dry before you put clothing on or you will get white marks, but that’s a small price to pay for such a great working product. The roll on lasted me a few months and the reorder arrived fast. I tried the scented ones, which are both lovely smelling, but I prefer unscented.”
Fran in Washington, DC called our MoM deodorant a “needle in a haystack”
“I’m allergic to every other deodorant I’ve tried (and I’ve tried a whole lot of them…)! Please never stop making this.”
Joel in Virginia says “Unbelievably Good!”
“I could not believe how well this works, with no aluminum. I have been so happy, my wife will hug me again!”
Try The People’s Pharmacy
If you do not like this aluminum-free deodorant we will absolutely refund your money! Here is our promise:
“If you are unsatisfied with your order for any reason, The People’s Pharmacy will replace it or refund your money. Your customer satisfaction is our number one priority.”
Want a fragrance AND a discount? Look no further:
Our herbal fragrance milk of magnesia roll-on deodorant is especially wonderful. We think this fragrance is fabulous. We have called the product Men’s MoM but it really works for everyone.
Men’s MoM Aluminum-Free Roll-On Deodorant
Want to try all three products:
People’s Pharmacy Aluminum-Free Roll-On Deodorant Sampler
Want to read more customer reactions? Here they are:
You can also read reviews for all our products in the Body Care section of our store. It will soon be warm, if not hot! Why not stock up now on our Magnesium Rich Roll-On Deodorants before you really start to sweat and smell!
