Aluminum Hydroxide

The Basics On Aluminum Hydroxide

What is Aluminum Hydroxide?

A synthetic ingredient that functions as an opacifying agent.

What are other names for Aluminum Hydroxide?

ALUMINA HYDRATE, ALUMINA, HYDRATED, ALUMINA, TRIHYDRATE, ALUMINIUM HYDROXIDE SULPHATE, ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE, ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE SULFATE (AL(OH)(SO4)), ALUMINUM OXIDE TRIHYDRATE, ALUMINUM OXIDE, HYDRATE, ALUMINUM TRIHYDROXIDE, ALUMUNUM HYDROXIDE, CI 77002, HYDRATE ALUMINUM OXIDE, HYDRATED ALUMINA, PIGMENT WHITE 24, TRIHYDRATE ALUMINA, TRIHYDROXY ALUMINUM, and TRIHYDROXYALUMINUM

What is Aluminum Hydroxide used for?

Acts as a skin protectant and opacifying (reduction of a clear/transparent appearance) agent in cosmetics. It’s used in an array of products including foundation, lipstick and moisturizer. Many sunscreens use aluminum hydroxide as a coating for titanium dioxide- it prevents it from clumping and allows for an even application. Rather than penetrating the skin, it forms a refractive layer that helps reflect UV rays away from the skin. In fact, an aluminum coating is recommended in the Guidelines for Natural Cosmetics of the BDIH.

How Aluminum Hydroxide is classified

Texture Enhancer, Absorbent

Recommendations for using Aluminum Hydroxide during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Use with caution

 

Aluminum Hydroxide During Pregnancy

What we know about using Aluminum Hydroxide while pregnant or breastfeeding

Limited information available.

When aluminum hydroxide (0, 66.5, 133, or 266 mg/kg in distilled water) was administered by gavage on gestation days 6 – 15 to Swiss mice (n = 20), there were no effects attributed to the test substance.43 There were no differences in maternal weights, feed consumption, appearance, or behavior. There were no differences in number of total implants, resorptions, number of live or dead fetuses, fetal size parameters, or sex distribution observed at necropsy. There were no differences observed at gross external, soft tissue, and skeletal examinations. When aluminum hydroxide (384 mg/kg/d; n = 18), aluminum citrate (1064 mg/kg/d; n = 15), or aluminum hydroxide (384 mg/kg/d; n = 19) plus citric acid (62 mg/kg/d) was orally administered to Sprague-Dawley rats (during gestation day 6 – 15), there were no differences among groups with regards to pre- or post-implantation loss, number of live fetuses per litter, or sex ratio.44 Fetal body weight was reduced and skeletal variations (delayed ossification or occipital and sternebrae; absence of xiphoides) were increased in the aluminum hydroxide plus citric acid group. The absence of xiphoides was also observed in the aluminum citrate group. The dams had decreased weight gain in the aluminum hydroxide plus citric acid group during treatment but recovered and caught up to the other groups post treatment. There was increased aluminum in the livers, bones, and placentas of the aluminum citrate group. There were no differences in aluminum content in the kidneys and brains. Aluminum was not detected in whole fetuses. The control group (n = 17) was administered water.

General safety info about Aluminum Hydroxide from CIR

This is a safety assessment of alumina and aluminum hydroxide as used in cosmetics. Alumina functions as an abrasive, absorbent, anticaking agent, bulking agent, and opacifying agent. Aluminum hydroxide functions as a buffering agent, corrosion inhibitor, and pH adjuster. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) evaluated the safe use of alumina in several medical devices, which included the review of human and animal safety data. The information from the FDA evaluation served as the basis for determining the safety of alumina and aluminum hydroxide as used in cosmetics by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel. The alumina used in cosmetics is substantially the same as that used in medical devices. This safety assessment does not cover aluminum. The CIR Expert Panel concluded that alumina and aluminum hydroxide are safe in the present practices of use and concentration described in this safety assessment.

Use this, not that!

Products where you might find Aluminum Hydroxide

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