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Photograph by Thomas Hannich __Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex GLY __ Nearly every antiperspirant has a mineral — usually aluminum — that dissolves into the skin with the first beads of sweat. This active ingredient causes underarm pores to swell shut, which stops more sweat from seeping out. And it kills odor-causing bacteria. Not convinced rubbing metal under your arms is the way to go? You could always try the hippest new antiperspirant trend: Botox. Injected into the pits, the toxins keep you totally dry (if a little tingly).
Cyclopentasiloxane This is a flammable silicone crosspolymer fluid (the silicon and oxygen atoms alternate to form a ring) with attached hydrogen atoms and methyl groups. The silicone evaporates quickly and helps spread the active ingredient. Don't worry, it probably won't catch fire.
__PPG-14 butyl ether __ PPG stands for polypropylene glycol, one of those wondrous substances that can be made into anything — from wound dressings to lipstick. A mild skin irritant, PPG-14BE is an anti static agent. So what is it doing here? Perhaps because dry armpits sometimes build up static cling. Then again, it's also sometimes used as an insecticide, in case you're attracting flies.
Stearyl alcohol A waxy solid, this crumbly stuff works in most cosmetics as a dry lubricant and moisturizer. Here it keeps the product from foaming up when rubbed vigorously across the skin. (After all, who needs a case of pit suds when you're trying to impress the ladies?) Oh, and it makes your under-arm hair soft and shiny.
__Hydrogenated castor oil __More crumbly stuff. This oil is used in many industries as a water-resistant wax and sometimes in hot-melt glue. Think of it here as Armor All for the underarm — it keeps moisture from collecting under your arms.
Fragrance The secret to the Axe effect is, well, a secret. Unilever claims the scent will drive the ladies crazy. It smells like a junior high school dance to us.
Talc Baby powder is safe, right? At least for grown men. Turns out, some studies suggest there's a link between genital talc use and ovarian cancer. So keep your pits out of your girlfriend's pants.
BHT This antioxidant keeps the butyls and stearyls and castor oil from reacting with oxygen and losing their effectiveness.
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