Aluminum and aluminum-zirconium antiperspirant compositions of enhanced efficacy and a pH value of at least 3.5 are provided that are made by reaction with insoluble, strongly alkaline strontium or calcium salts. The aluminum and aluminum-zirconium strontium or calcium compositions show high pH values with characteristic HPLC Band III to Band II ratios of at least 0.5. The basic aluminum halohydrate (or nitrate) solutions typically have aluminum to anion ratio of less that 1.9. The solution compositions are stable with respect to both HPLC Band III to Band II ratio and viscosity at concentrations of about 20% to about 40% by weight of anhydrous solid. The solid state compositions form hard sticks with low irritation, at low metal to chloride ratios of about 0.9 to about 1.2.