Aluminum sulfate is a salt with the formula Al2(SO4)3, which is soluble in water and mainly used as a coagulating agent in the purification of drinking water. It is also used as a mordant in dyeing and printing textiles. In addition, aluminum sulfate is sometimes used in the human food industry as a firming agent, where it takes on E number E520, and in animal feed as a bactericide. It may also be used as a deodorant, an astringent, or as a styptic for superficial shaving wounds. However, it is important to note that aluminum-containing ingredients were reported by the cosmetic industry to be used in a lot of different categories of cosmetic products, and antiperspirants and deodorants, lipsticks, and toothpastes were considered by the SCCS to be the main contributing sources of exposure via cosmetic products.

Positive:

• Aluminum sulfate is a coagulating agent in the purification of drinking water.
• It is used as a mordant in dyeing and printing textiles.
• It is used as a firming agent in the human food industry.
• It is used as a bactericide in animal feed.
• It can be used as a deodorant, an astringent, or as a styptic for superficial shaving wounds.

Negative:

• Aluminum-containing ingredients in cosmetic products can be a source of exposure.

Ingredients or materials:

• Chemical formula: Al2(SO4)3
• Synonyms: Aluminium sulfate, Aluminium sulfate anhydrous, Aluminum sulfate anhydrous, Aluminum sulphate anhydrous, Dialuminum sulfate, Dialuminum trisulfate
• Physicochemical properties of aluminum compounds used as cosmetic ingredients are summarized in Annex I of the SCCS report.