Aluminium in cosmetics and personal care products

Abstract

Usage of inorganic ingredients like aluminium salts in cosmetics and personal care products has been a concern for producers and consumers. Although aluminium is used to treat hyperhidrosis, some worries have been raised about aluminium's role in breast cancer, breast cyst and Alzheimer's disease. The human population is exposed to aluminium from vaccines, diet, and drinking water, but the frequent use of aluminium‐based cosmetics might add additional local exposure. This paper reviews literature to determine if aluminium‐based products may pose potential harm to the body. The dermal absorption of aluminium is not widely understood. It is not yet known whether aluminium can travel from the skin to brain to cause Alzheimer's disease. Aluminium may cause gene instability, alter gene expression or enhance oxidative stress, but the carcinogenicity of aluminium has not been proved yet. Until now, epidemiological researches were based on oral information, which lacks consistency, and the results are conflicting. Future studies should target real‐life‐based long‐time exposure to antiperspirants and other aluminium‐containing cosmetics and personal care products.

Quality and safety investigation of commonly used topical cosmetic preparations

“…Similarly, Aldayel et al 34 investigated nine of the most expensive brands of mascara and eyeshadow from the Saudi market and found that the concentration of Fe was high in the mascara products. Moreover, frequent use of cosmetics that contain aluminum has been linked to neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, but the exact mechanism is unknown 40 , 44 . According to studies, high exposure to Zn, and Cu may lead to the interaction between them that can lead to abnormal Zn metabolism, so the balance between Zn and other nutrients could be destroyed 45 .…”

Aluminium in the Human Brain: Routes of Penetration, Toxicity, and Resulting Complications

“…Al exists in thousands of formulations of cosmetics and personal care products, such as antiperspirants, lipsticks, liquid makeup foundations, toothpaste, etc. There are very few studies concerning Al absorption through the skin [ 28 ]; however, the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) recommended safe limits for sprayable and non-sprayable Al-containing cosmetic products [ 29 ]. Among pharmaceuticals, apart from previously mentioned antacids, Al is also functioning as a vaccine adjuvant.…”

“…When confronted with Al cations, protein polypeptides can either denature or undergo conformational or structural alternation, as in β-amyloid plaques. Moreover, Al blocks the proteolytic degradation of amyloid, enhancing its deposition and aggregation [ 4 , 28 , 44 , 45 , 46 ] and increasing its permeability in the striatum and thalamus [ 47 ]. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that Al promotes phosphorylation and aggregation of phosphorylated proteins such as Tau protein.…”

Introducing the role of metals in biology to high school and undergraduate students

“…19 Additionally, lack of knowledge around biological metals among the public can lead to misinformation, especially concerning vaccines and health products. [20][21][22] This rationale is supported by recent misinformation regarding the presence of metals in the COVID-19 vaccine which was misunderstood to make humans magnetic. [23][24][25][26][27] We believe educating students at high school and undergraduate level on the role of metals in biology and biocatalysis will help alleviate misinformation in public, and at the same time, engage students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and build interest in sciencerelated careers.…”