Body odor is an individual characteristic of humans, its intensity depending on personal circumstances, social states, and physiology. The presence of unpleasant or strong body odor can cause concern for the individual, affecting their self-esteem and social relationships. A deodorant is a personal hygiene product designed to keep the skin clean, minimize odor, and provide a sensation of freshness. The use of deodorant ingredients is considered necessary to maintain individual hygiene standards.
Sweating is a physiological process that is essential for the body’s functioning. It helps eliminate waste substances and toxins, maintain the pH of the body’s surface, and regulate body temperature by cooling it down in situations where heat accumulates. Sweat is a hypotonic, odorless bodily secretion with an acidic pH (4.5-5.5), primarily composed of water and electrolytes. The evaporation of sweat from the body’s surface requires a significant amount of energy, contributing to the reduction of body temperature and making it an efficient mechanism for thermoregulation.
Sweat is mainly composed of water and electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, chloride, ammonium, calcium, and phosphates, in addition to organic substances such as urea, proteins, lipids, and amino acids. The degradation of these molecules by the saprophytic bacterial flora present on the body surface produces volatile compounds that can be perceived by olfactory receptors as unpleasant odor.
The origin of body odor is not always due to the fermentative processes present in sweat. An exception would be the odor of sweat containing volatile molecules resulting from the metabolism of certain foods once ingested, such as garlic, onions, and spices.
Deodorant ingredients are compounds that effectively counteract the bacteria responsible for body odor, offering a comprehensive solution for odor control. These ingredients are part of cosmetic products designed to mitigate, mask, or eliminate body odor and can act through different mechanisms, such as:
Inhibition of microorganisms: Deodorant ingredients possess antibacterial properties that inhibit the growth of bacteria responsible for bad odors.
Enzymatic inhibition: Some deodorant ingredients can reduce the enzymatic breakdown of sweat.
Encapsulation of odor substances: Certain deodorant ingredients can encapsulate lipophilic substances like body sweat, thus masking their odor.
Odor neutralization: Deodorant ingredients are capable of neutralizing a variety of body odors, providing a lasting sensation of freshness.
The armpits, the ano-genital area, and the palms and soles of the feet are the most prone areas to sweat. For this reason, deodorant cosmetics are often intended to treat these parts of the body.
Additionally, it is common to find deodorant products in various formulations: solid deodorants, aerosols, roll-ons, creams, or wipes. These different cosmetic forms contain deodorant ingredients capable of ensuring effectiveness in controlling body odor.
| Name | INCI | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Glucono-D-lactone | Gluconolactone | Lactone compound formed by removing a water molecule from gluconic acid. It penetrates slowly into the cells due to its large molecular weight, so it has better moisturizing properties compared to hydroxy acid (AHA) and is suitable for sensitive skin. |
| Lactic Acid | Lactic acid | It is an alpha hydroxy acid used in skin care products and professional treatments to exfoliate the skin, lighten dark spots, and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. |
| Sodium Gluconate | Sodium gluconate | Sodium gluconate is the sodium salt of gluconic acid, produced by the fermentation of glucose. The outstanding property of sodium gluconate is its excellent chelating power, especially in alkaline and concentrated alkaline solutions. It forms stable chelates with calcium, iron, copper, aluminum, and other heavy metals and, in this respect, surpasses all other chelating agents such as EDTA, NTA, and related compounds. |
| Sodium Lactate | Sodium lactate | Sodium lactate is the sodium salt of L(+)-lactic acid, obtained by neutralizing the acid of natural origin with a high purity sodium source. Sodium lactate has a high water retention capacity for personal care use. |
| Zinc Lactate | Zinc lactate | Zinc lactate dihydrate is produced by the complete neutralization of lactic acid with a high purity zinc source and subsequent crystallization. Due to the antimicrobial properties of the Zinc ion, it is used in deodorant applications. |
| Zinc Citrate | Zinc Citrate | Zinc citrate is available as a dihydrate and trihydrate and is produced by the complete neutralization of citric acid with a high purity zinc source, followed by precipitation and dehydration. Due to the antimicrobial properties of the Zinc ion, it is used in deodorant applications. |
| Citrofol® AI Extra | Triethyl citrate | It is a 100% bio-based citrate ester manufactured by the esterification of citric acid and ethanol. It is well accepted as a functional ingredient in deodorants as it inhibits the enzymatic breakdown of sweat components. |
| α-Bisabolol | Bisabolol | Plant extract with soothing and healing properties. |
| Beauté by Roquette® PO 500 | Isosorbide | This unique solution of extremely pure isosorbide approved by COSMOS acts as a strong humectant and moisturizing agent, providing long-lasting hydration to the skin or hair. It has an ISO 16128 natural index of 1. |
| Allantoin | Allantoin | Ingredient with great moisturizing power, which has soothing properties. |
| Menthol | Menthol | Substance derived from mint that causes a cooling sensation on the skin |
| Camphor | Camphor | Camphor has stimulating and antiseptic properties for the skin. |
| Beauté by Roquette® CD 100 | Cyclodextrin | It is composed of glucose molecules arranged in a cyclic form that encapsulate lipophilic compounds. It acts as a fat absorber. |
| Beauté by Roquette® CD 102 | Cyclodextrin | It is composed of glucose molecules arranged in a cyclic form that encapsulate lipophilic compounds. It acts as a fat absorber. |
| Beauté by Roquette® CD 110 | Hydroxypropyl cyclodextrin | Modified water-soluble cyclodextrin that acts as a fat absorber |
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