Aluminium zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly
Encyclopedia
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
.
Firstly, the aluminium and zirconium ions are absorbed into the skin cells, creating an osmotic pressure that draws water into the cell. The cell then swells with the influx of water, causing it to pinch the sweat glands closed, preventing the release of sweat. This swelling 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 odor because it inhibits the bacterial breakdown of sweat.
Anhydrous
As a general term, a substance is said to be anhydrous if it contains no water. The way of achieving the anhydrous form differs from one substance to another...
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
Hydroxide
Hydroxide is a diatomic anion with chemical formula OH−. It consists of an oxygen and a hydrogen atom held together by a covalent bond, and carrying a negative electric charge. It is an important but usually minor constituent of water. It functions as a base, as a ligand, a nucleophile, and a...
, chloride
Chloride
The chloride ion is formed when the element chlorine, a halogen, picks up one electron to form an anion Cl−. The salts of hydrochloric acid HCl contain chloride ions and can also be called chlorides. The chloride ion, and its salts such as sodium chloride, are very soluble in water...
and glycine
Glycine
Glycine is an organic compound with the formula NH2CH2COOH. Having a hydrogen substituent as its 'side chain', glycine is the smallest of the 20 amino acids commonly found in proteins. Its codons are GGU, GGC, GGA, GGG cf. the genetic code.Glycine is a colourless, sweet-tasting crystalline solid...
.
Functions
Anhydrous aluminium zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly has two major functions as an antiperspirant.Firstly, the aluminium and zirconium ions are absorbed into the skin cells, creating an osmotic pressure that draws water into the cell. The cell then swells with the influx of water, causing it to pinch the sweat glands closed, preventing the release of sweat. This swelling ability is common among aluminium-based antiperspirants (e.g., aluminium chlorohydrate
Aluminium chlorohydrate
Aluminium chlorohydrate is a group of specific aluminium salts having the general formula AlnClm. It is used in deodorants and antiperspirants and as a coagulant in water purification....
).
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 odor because it inhibits the bacterial breakdown of sweat.