How much aluminum is allowed in an antiperspirant in the EU? (and why it matters)
If you've ever seen American antiperspirants, you might have noticed that some advertise "clinical strength" and concentrations of 15% or more aluminum. In Europe, you won't encounter such claims, and that's no coincidence. The EU enforces a significantly stricter limit, based on independent scientific research.
By Zero·One Redactie
7 July 2026
3 min. reading time
The Concrete Limit
Within the European Union, under the Cosmetics Regulation and the opinion of the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS), there is a maximum concentration of 6.25% aluminum in non-spray antiperspirants and deodorants. For spray products, the limit is 10.60%.
For comparison: a popular American product with "15% clinical strength" contains more than twice as much aluminum as is permitted within the EU for a similar non-spray product. Such a product, in its current form, would not be legally sold within the European Union.
Why did the EU opt for a lower limit?
This limit was not set arbitrarily. The SCCS, the independent scientific body that advises the European Commission on the safety of cosmetic ingredients, weighed the total exposure to aluminum from all sources: food, drinking water, medication, and cosmetics combined.
Based on that complete exposure calculation, the committee determined which concentration in cosmetics can remain safe, with a generous safety margin. The result, 6.25% for non-spray products, is therefore a deliberately conservative, cautious limit, based on the sum of all exposure sources, not just on what "still works" against sweat.
This does not mean that higher concentrations are by definition unsafe, but it does mean that the EU applies a stricter precautionary level than some other markets.
Does a lower concentration mean a less effective product?
Not necessarily. The relationship between aluminum concentration and effectiveness is not linear: doubling the concentration does not result in a doubling of the antiperspirant effect. Formulation, the specific aluminum compound used (such as aluminum chloride or aluminum chlorohydrate), and the method of application all play a role in how effective a product actually is.
Within the EU limit of 6.25%, it is still possible to create a product that noticeably and reliably reduces sweat production. This is the strongest concentration allowed under European regulations, and thus the most powerful, legal protection you can buy in the EU.
One wipe. Up to five days dry.
Discrete anti-perspirant wipes, individually wrapped in a plastic-free sachet. Apply in the evening, ready for the next day.
What does this mean for claims you find online?
If you encounter American products or content online that talk about "15% clinical strength" or similar claims, it's good to know that these claims do not apply to products legally sold within the EU. A product offered in the EU that nevertheless claims such a concentration does not comply with European cosmetics regulations.
This is also why honest European brands do not rely on American concentration figures but communicate within their own, stricter frameworks: the strongest allowed protection within the EU, instead of a concentration that would not be legal here.
Will this limit change in the future?
Regulations regarding cosmetic ingredients are periodically reviewed based on new scientific research. There is an upcoming EU regulation that may entail additional restrictions regarding aluminum and other ingredients. Brands and consumers would do well to follow these developments, as regulations can shift as more research becomes available.
What does this mean for your choice?
If you use an aluminum antiperspirant within the EU, you are automatically using a product that has been assessed according to one of the strictest safety frameworks in the world. You do not need to look for a higher concentration to find effectiveness: within the allowed limit, a well-formulated product is still capable of noticeably reducing sweat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 6.25% aluminum enough to reduce sweat? Yes, within this concentration, well-formulated products can noticeably reduce sweat production in the treated area. The relationship between concentration and effectiveness is not linear.
Why are American products allowed to contain higher concentrations? Different regions adhere to different regulatory frameworks and safety assessments. The EU, based on the SCCS assessment, has opted for a stricter, more conservative limit than the United States.
Can I legally buy an American product with a higher concentration in the Netherlands? Products that do not comply with EU cosmetics regulations cannot be legally sold within the EU. Import for personal use is outside this question, but commercial sale within the EU must comply with the European limit.
Will the aluminum limit change in the future? Possibly. There is an upcoming EU regulation that may bring additional ingredient restrictions. Regulations are periodically reviewed based on new research.
Is a product with 6.25% aluminum as safe as one with a lower concentration? Within the EU, 6.25% is the maximum determined to be safe after scientific assessment, including a generous safety margin. Products with a lower concentration are also safe, but not necessarily "safer" within the framework established by the SCCS.
Stay dry. And in the loop.
Practical tips on sweat and skin, plus an occasional offer. No spam, you can unsubscribe at any time.
