Is Etiaxil one of the antiperspirants recommended by dermatologists in France and other countries? Are there risks of side effects, or stronger alternatives?
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♻️ Last update: September 6, 2025. Written by Nelly Darbois, physical therapist and scientific writer (see here)
Summary
Where to Find Dermatologists’ Opinions
Of course, you can always ask your own dermatologist whether they think Etiaxil (antiperspirant/deodorant) is useful in your case.
But maybe you’d like to know the opinion of a broader sample of dermatologists?
In France, as in many other countries, physicians are regulated in how they can communicate about products. Talking about brand names is usually not allowed, but discussing active substances is.
✅ That’s why you’ll find more dermatologist opinions about aluminum salts, especially aluminum chloride, which is Etiaxil’s main active ingredient.
Etiaxil “Détranspirant Extrême” for normal skin (15ml roll-on) contains: Alcohol Denat., Aluminum Chloride, PEG-12 Dimethicone.
❌ You’ll rarely find dermatologist reviews about Etiaxil specifically as a brand.
So let’s first look at what dermatologists say about aluminum chloride.
Dermatologists’ Opinion on Aluminum Chloride
I reviewed recent scientific publications by dermatologists on aluminum chloride-based antiperspirants.
Why use these publications?
Because they reflect the views of a broader pool of dermatologists, and are peer-reviewed to reduce potential bias.
Comparison: Aluminum Chloride vs. Aluminum Sesquichlorohydrate
A team of Thai dermatologists compared the effect of 20% aluminum chloride vs. 20% aluminum sesquichlorohydrate for underarm sweating.
Why? Because aluminum chloride has been well studied in recent decades and is considered the first-line treatment for axillary hyperhidrosis thanks to its low risk of side effects and proven benefits.
The antiperspirants were applied nightly for 2 weeks, then 3 times per week for 4 weeks.
Results:
- Both antiperspirants worked for most people.
- No significant difference in effectiveness between the two.
- They took about 1.5 weeks to show results.
- Only 1 participant reported itching (with aluminum chloride).
- The effect lasted at least 2 weeks after stopping.
Source: Thianboonsong, 2022
International Guidelines for Underarm Sweating
For decades, aluminum chloride antiperspirants have been recommended as the first treatment option for axillary hyperhidrosis—before Botox injections, iontophoresis, oral medications, or surgery.
Why? Because clinical studies show that topical aluminum chloride offers the best balance of effectiveness vs. limited side effects.
That’s why guidelines recommend trying them before anything else.
Source: Liu, 2021
(For side effects like cancer risk, see this separate article on aluminum chloride safety.)
Dermatologists’ Opinion on Etiaxil
There are no published clinical studies specifically on Etiaxil.
However, we do know the concentration of aluminum chloride it contains. Depending on the product, Etiaxil has up to 3% aluminum chloride.
In contrast, most clinical studies that prove effectiveness use 10–20% concentrations.
The International Hyperhidrosis Society (SweatHelp), which includes many dermatologists, recommends 10–15% aluminum salts for underarm hyperhidrosis.
👉 That means some dermatologists may find Etiaxil too weak to be effective for people with excessive sweating.
My Opinion as Founder of the Hyperhidrosis Observatory
Personally, Etiaxil saved me during my first summer job back in 2008. At that time, far fewer brands offered aluminum chloride products, and Etiaxil was the one everyone could easily find.
It worked well for me for several weeks—then less, then not at all. That’s been the case with many other treatments I’ve tried.
Some people in the Hyperhidrosis Observatory community report that effectiveness can come back after a break of several months.
Today, I use simple supermarket antiperspirants with lower aluminum chloride, mostly to reduce odor, not sweating.
Alternatives to Etiaxil
I wrote a full article comparing the benefits and side effects of different antiperspirants: Etiaxil, Carpe, Driclo, SweatStop, Antihydral, Oxybutynin RxGel (Twofold), and more.
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Do you have any comments or questions? Your comments are welcome 🙂 !
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📚 SOURCES
Thianboonsong T, Kanokrungsee S, Paichitrojjana A, Udompataikul M, Kamanamool N, Rojhirunsakool S. Efficacy and tolerability of 20% aluminum sesquichlorohydrate vs 20% aluminum chloride for the treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis: A randomized controlled trial. Dermatol Ther. 2020 Nov;33(6):e14354. doi: 10.1111/dth.14354. Epub 2020 Oct 10. PMID: 32990370.
Liu V, Farshchian M, Potts GA. Management of Primary Focal Hyperhidrosis: An Algorithmic Approach. J Drugs Dermatol. 2021 May 1;20(5):523-528. doi: 10.36849/JDD.5774. PMID: 33938689.
Quantité de sels d’aluminium dans les produits Étiaxil, sur le site d’Etiaxil
Written by Nelly Darbois
I founded this website in 2012. Since then, I’ve been providing information and positive support to people suffering from excessive sweating. I’m also a physical therapist and science writer, living in French Alps 🌞❄️.