5% Aluminium chloride hexahydrate and sebum excretion rate

The present study was designed to assess whether 5% aluminium chloride hexahydrate in absolute alcohol exerted any effect on sebaceous gland excretory activity. Eleven acne patients controlled with long-term antibiotics applied active and placebo solutions in a double-blind trial. The sebum excretion rate was measured on two control visits and thereafter at fortnightly intervals for a further 6 weeks. Patients preferred the 'active' solution, many claiming increased dryness of their skin. However, neither the 'active' nor 'placebo' solution had a significant demonstrable effect on sebum excretion rate. The beneficial effect of topical aluminium chloride hexahydrate is therefore assumed to be due to factors other than an alteration in sebum excretion.