Deodorants

Description

Deodorants have a bacteria-inhibiting effect and hence avoid the development of the unpleasant odours caused by the bacterial decomposition process of sweat. At the same time the perfuming of the products superimposes unpleasant body odours. To achieve their bacteria-inhibiting and odour-superimposing effect, deodorants contain different ingredients. These include odour absorbers, fragrances, germ-inhibiting agents or enzyme inhibitors. The effectiveness of a deodorant depends both on the quality and composition of the active ingredients used and on the formulation basis, ie the carrier substances into which they are integrated. Because regardless of whether it is a spray, atomiser, roller or stick - important basic ingredients of every deodorant are water, caring oils and emulsifiers. "Classic" odour-covering agents are perfumes and fragrances which are used for concealing of body odour. Perfume compositions which impart a positive overall impression in combination with the body's own odour are particularly advantageous. Odour absorbers have neither an influence on sweat formation, nor on skin bacteria. They encase the odour-forming substances so that these are no longer perceived directly or as unpleasant. Odour absorbers also reduce the speed with which odours can propagate. A usual ingredient is based on a zinc salt of ricinoleic acid (zinc ricinoleate). The use of germ-inhibiting agents or anti-microbial agents is particularly important in preventing body odour. They act selectively on the bacteria causing the body odour and regulate (reduce) their growth. Many fragrances and essential oils such as clove oil (EUGENOL), mint oil (MENTHOL) or thyme oil (THYMOL) have anti-microbial properties. For the decomposition of the sweat bacteria use certain enzymes so that some deodorants include enzyme inhibitors such as TRIETHYL CITRATE. These ingredients deactivate the enzymes responsible for sweat decomposition without damaging the sweat-forming bacteria. The natural skin flora is preserved in this way.