Use in Antiperspirants. Aluminum zirconium — or, more precisely, aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly — is used in antiperspirants because it has several qualities that reduce sweating. It is absorbed by the skin, where the ions of aluminum and zirconium cause the skin cells to swell.any antiperspirants contain aluminum zirconium. Although some people believe there to be a link between aluminum zirconium and Alzheimer's disease, but scientific research does not support this claim. Aluminum zirconium may be used in antiperspirants because it has qualities that can reduce sweating.