Understanding Antiperspirants - Part 2: Different Strengths and Different Salts, How Do I Choose?

Antiperspirants are available over the counter (OTC) or by prescription (Rx). OTC antiperspirants can either be "regular" or "clinical strength." The difference between Rx and OTC products is the concentration (percentage) of aluminum. Rx products are the most concentrated (most effective), and "regular" strength OTC products are the least concentrated. Many patients with hyperhidrosis cannot control their sweating with OTC options, which is why we developed 5 formulations of prescription-strength antiperspirants designed for different areas where sweating may occur.

Aluminum exists as a "salt" in antiperspirants. There are 18 different aluminum salts recognized by the United States Food and Drug Administration, but the most common are: aluminum chloride, aluminum zirconium, and aluminum sesquichlorohydrate. The main difference between these salts is "particle size," which refers to how large the aluminum salt is. A smaller particle size allows the aluminum to penetrate deeper into the sweat duct, which helps block sweat more effectively. At Undefined Health, we use Aluminum Chloride, which is the smallest particle size available. In the video below, we show why particle size matters for controlling sweating.

Now that you know about the different "strengths" and different "salts" of aluminum, the last thing you need to do is: understand the differences. Unfortunately, this can be a little confusing. The OTC limits for different salts are different based on particle size. For example, the highest percentage of Aluminum Chloride that you can buy OTC is 15%, and the highest percentage of you can buy of Aluminum Sesquichlorohydrate is 25%. This does NOT mean that 25% Aluminum Sesquichlorohydrate is more effective than 15% Aluminum Chloride. If anything, you could think 25% Aluminum Sesquichlorohydrate is equivalent to 15% Aluminum Chloride.

We recommend Aluminum Chloride products because they penetrate deepest into the sweat duct. Our patients come to us because they have tried the OTC options and want something more effective. Our products are made with 20% Aluminum Chloride, and we specifically designed different formulations (butter, cream, gel, lotion, and serum) based on where you experience excessive sweating. To see if you qualify for our prescription-strength products, start your free online evaluation now.