Aluminum Zirconium Trichlorohydrex GLY is a chemical compound used primarily in antiperspirant products. It functions by temporarily blocking sweat glands to reduce perspiration and control body odor, making it an effective ingredient in personal care formulations.

Chemical Composition and Structure

The chemical composition of Aluminum Zirconium Trichlorohydrex GLY includes:

• Aluminum and Zirconium Salts: These salts form a complex that reacts with sweat to form a gel-like plug in sweat ducts.
• Glycine: An amino acid that helps stabilize the formulation and enhances skin compatibility.

Structurally, Aluminum Zirconium Trichlorohydrex GLY is composed of aluminum and zirconium salts complexed with glycine, facilitating its function as an antiperspirant.

Physical Properties

• Appearance: Typically a white to off-white powder or crystalline solid.
• Solubility: Soluble in water, allowing for easy incorporation into formulations.
• pH: Slightly acidic, with a pH range of approximately 4 to 5 in solution.
• Stability: Chemically stable under normal storage conditions and resistant to degradation.

Production Process

• Synthesis: The compound is synthesized by reacting aluminum salts with zirconium salts in the presence of glycine and chlorine.
• Complex Formation: The mixture is treated to ensure proper hydration and stabilization, resulting in a stable gel or solution.
• Purification: The complex is purified to remove any residual salts, unreacted components, and other impurities through filtration and crystallization processes.
• Formulation: The purified complex is incorporated into antiperspirant formulations, often combined with other ingredients such as emulsifiers and stabilizers.

Applications

• Medical: Primarily used in personal care products; less common in medical formulations.
• Cosmetics: Widely utilized in antiperspirants and deodorants for its effective sweat-reducing properties.

INCI Functions:

Antiperspirant. Controls both sweat and body odour by preventing sweat from reaching the stratum corneum with a preventive bactericidal action. If sweat has just reached the epidermal surface, it creates a temporary agglomeration on the sweat gland that will be removed by washing.

Cosmetic astringent. This ingredient exerts a direct effect on the skin by tightening dilated pores by contracting stratum corneum cells and removing superfluous oil.

Deodorant agent. When substances that give off an unpleasant odour are included in cosmetic formulations (typical examples are methyl mercaptan and hydrogen sulphide derived from garlic), deodorants attenuate or eliminate the unpleasant exhalation.

CAS: 134375-99-8

Cosmetic safety

Restricted cosmetic ingredient as III/50 a Relevant Item in the Annexes of the European Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009. Substance or ingredient reported: Aluminium zirconium chloride hydroxide complexes AlxZr(OH)yClz and the aluminium zirconium chloride hydroxide glycine complexes. 

Maximum concentration in ready for use preparation 20% (as anhydrous aluminium zirconium chloride hydroxide) 5.4% (as zirconium).

The ratio of the number of aluminium atoms to that of zirconium atoms must be between 2 and 10 2. The ratio of the number of (Al+Zr) atoms to that of chlorine atoms must be between 0.9 and 2.1 3. Not to be used in aerosols dispensers (sprays).

• Industrial Uses: Limited applications outside personal care products.

Environmental and Safety Considerations

Aluminum Zirconium Trichlorohydrex GLY is generally regarded as safe for topical application when used according to recommended guidelines. However, individuals with sensitive skin or known allergies to aluminum compounds should exercise caution. Responsible sourcing and formulation practices are essential to ensure that the compound is free from harmful contaminants and produced sustainably.