Does It Work?: Secret Clinical Strength Anti-Perspirant

Dermatological medicine has hit over-the-counter once more: aluminum zirconium trichlorohydrex GLY, a clinical-grade ingredient found in prescription deodorant/anti-perspirant formulations, is now sold in Secret Clinical Strength Deodorant/Anti-Perspirant ($8.99, Amazon.com).  The ingredient is available in 20% anhydrous concentration in the product, which is lower than in prescription-grade formulations, and combined with conditioning ingredients to be less irritating than their clinically recommended counterparts.

As with other aluminum-based deodorants, the aluminum zirconium trichlorohydrex GLY in Secret Clinical Strength Deodorant/Anti-Perspirant works in two ways:  one, its capsules clog pores (preventing moisture release) and two, it absorbs moisture from non-clogged pores (hence preventing malodorous-ness, as bacteria breakdown sweat and release a scent).  The net result?  Dryness. 

As with many skin care ingredients, there has been concerned raised on the web as to the safety of aluminum zirconium trichlorohydrex GLY.  In this case, it is due to the fact that the metal, aluminum, has been identified as a neurotoxin in this 1989 study in Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, amongst others.  However, aluminum zirconium trichlorohydrex itself has not been found in any clinical studies to be correlated with a higher incidence of any disease, at least not in any studies I could find.  I will keep you posted if any arise to my knowledge.

When applied at night, Secret Clinical Strength Anti-Perspirant keeps you dry all throughout the day, and I highly recommend it to anyone who suffers from heavy perspiration.  I’d definitely give it a try!  Product rating: 8/9.  (High concentration of active ingredients: 3/3.  New technology: 3/3.  Value for the money: 2/3 (some deodorants carry aluminum zirconium trichlorohydrex GLY and are cheaper, but designed for men, like Mitchum).  Sunscreen: N/A).