About aluminum chloride-hydroxide
Aluminum chloride-hydroxide manufacturers supply aluminium chlorohydrate, the main active ingredient in antiperspirants, to consumer health and cosmetic companies. Aluminum chloride-hydroxide (aluminium chlorohydrate, ACH) is a water-soluble aluminium salt that temporarily blocks sweat ducts. It is regulated as an OTC drug in the US and as a cosmetic in the EU. Companies can source ACH powder and solutions, and finished antiperspirants, through supply or out-licensing.
Aluminum chloride-hydroxide key facts
|
Property |
Aluminum chloride-hydroxide |
|---|---|
|
Common names |
Aluminium chlorohydrate (ACH); aluminium chloride hydroxide; aluminium hydroxychloride |
|
Typical formula |
Al2Cl(OH)5 (composition varies) |
|
CAS number |
12042-91-0 |
|
Class |
Antiperspirant active; also a coagulant in water treatment |
|
Related actives |
Aluminium zirconium chlorohydrates; aluminium chloride hexahydrate (prescription-strength hyperhidrosis products) |
|
Product forms |
Roll-ons, sticks, aerosols, creams; bulk powder and solution |
|
US status |
OTC antiperspirant active under the FDA monograph (21 CFR part 350) |
|
EU status |
Cosmetic ingredient; antiperspirants regulated under the Cosmetics Regulation |
|
Pharmacopoeia |
USP monograph (aluminum chlorohydrate) |
|
Patent status |
Off-patent; some activated-ACH and formulation patents |
Aluminum chloride-hydroxide manufacturers and licensing history
Aluminium chlorohydrate has been the standard antiperspirant active for decades. It is used in most roll-on, stick and aerosol antiperspirants sold worldwide. Specialist producers such as Elementis (Summit Reheis) and Gulbrandsen supply cosmetic and pharmaceutical grades, alongside many Chinese and Indian producers.
Aluminium chlorohydrate is different from aluminium chloride hexahydrate. The hexahydrate is used at higher strength in products for excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis), such as 20% solutions.
Aluminium chlorohydrate is also made in large volumes for water treatment, so buyers should confirm cosmetic or pharmaceutical grade, USP compliance, heavy metal limits and GMP status before choosing a supplier.
Aluminum chloride-hydroxide dosage forms and dossier types
Aluminium chlorohydrate is supplied as powder or solution for formulation, and as finished antiperspirants.
|
Form |
Strengths |
Typical dossier |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
ACH antiperspirant (roll-on, stick, aerosol) |
Up to 25% (US monograph limit, as anhydrous) |
US OTC monograph; EU cosmetic notification |
Main finished form |
|
ACH powder / solution |
Bulk |
USP; supplier documentation |
Cosmetic or pharmaceutical grade |
|
Aluminium zirconium chlorohydrate antiperspirants |
Per monograph |
US OTC monograph |
Not permitted in aerosols in the US |
|
Target market |
Dossier format |
Key requirement |
|---|---|---|
|
United States |
OTC monograph |
Concentration limits and labelling per 21 CFR part 350 |
|
European Union |
Cosmetic product notification |
Safety assessment; SCCS opinions on aluminium |
|
Other markets |
Cosmetic or OTC rules |
Classification varies by country |
Aluminum chloride-hydroxide regulatory and patent status
In the US, aluminium chlorohydrate is an approved antiperspirant active under the FDA OTC monograph, with labelling and concentration rules. In the EU, antiperspirants are cosmetics. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has reviewed aluminium in antiperspirants and concluded that it is safe at the levels assessed. Basic aluminium chlorohydrate is off-patent.
Aluminum chloride-hydroxide mechanism of action and therapeutic use
Aluminium chlorohydrate dissolves in sweat and forms a gel plug in the top of the sweat duct, which temporarily reduces sweating. It is used in antiperspirants to reduce underarm sweat. For excessive sweating, stronger aluminium chloride products are used instead.
Aluminum chloride-hydroxide licensing and sourcing
Aluminium chlorohydrate suppliers typically offer bulk powder and solution supply, finished-product supply or formulation licensing. Buyers usually compare product grade, USP compliance, impurity limits and territory availability. Current offers and supplier contacts are listed among the aluminum chloride-hydroxide manufacturers on Pipelinepharma.
Frequently asked questions about aluminum chloride-hydroxide
Who are the main aluminum chloride-hydroxide manufacturers? Elementis (Summit Reheis) and Gulbrandsen are well-known producers of cosmetic and pharmaceutical grades. Many Chinese and Indian companies also make aluminium chlorohydrate.
What is the difference between aluminium chlorohydrate and aluminium chloride? Aluminium chlorohydrate is a milder, partly neutralised salt used in everyday antiperspirants. Aluminium chloride hexahydrate is stronger and used for excessive sweating.
Is aluminium chlorohydrate a drug or a cosmetic? In the US, antiperspirants are OTC drugs under an FDA monograph. In the EU, they are cosmetics.
What strengths of aluminium chlorohydrate are allowed? The US OTC monograph allows up to 25% aluminium chlorohydrate, calculated on an anhydrous basis. EU products follow cosmetic safety assessments.
Is aluminium chlorohydrate also used outside cosmetics? Yes. Aluminium chlorohydrate is widely used as a coagulant in water treatment, so buyers must specify cosmetic or pharmaceutical grade.
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