Deodorants and antiperspirants: identification of new strategies and perspectives to prevent and control malodor and sweat of the body

Abstract

Excessive sweating and body odors in many cultures can cause negative perceptions of an individual and in many cases is related to poor hygiene. Personal hygiene products have been developed with the intention of preventing these undesirable issues. The aim of this paper is to review the main active ingredients used in marketed deodorant and antiperspirant formulations as well as to identify new strategies and future methods to optimize such products and prevent malodor. PubMed and ScienceDirect databases were used to search for studies reporting the use of deodorants and antiperspirants, the compounds used in the formulations, their mechanisms of action and associated controversies, as well as new trends and approaches in the area. Even today, we are still using well‐known and established actives such as triclosan and aluminum salts, and these are still the most used compounds in deodorants with bactericidal and antiperspirant properties. These substances have been on the market for more than 40 years, and still there are many questions concerning the safety of both actives. There is a general increased interest globally for lifestyles that focus on sustainability and more natural products such as plant sources and the use of, for example, essential oils. The research that focuses in the area of antiperspirants and deodorants is now more focused on studies of the armpit biochemistry and function and control of the microbiota present in this area. Other possible areas of interest are biotechnological solutions and finding new compounds that will interfere with the biochemistry of the process of sweat decomposition. Further approaches include formulations with probiotics which would maintain the balance of axillary microbiota.

Long-Term Use of Antiperspirant is Associated with a Low Risk of Postoperative Complications in Patients with Axillary Osmidrosis

“…Antiperspirants reduce sweat release from the eccrine sweat glands, thereby limiting the amount of secretion in the armpit area. 16 Aluminum salts and other metal salts, such as zirconium, are known to reduce sweating by causing mechanical obstruction of glandular ducts. 16 Therefore, by releasing less sweat, less bacterial production and hence alter the environment in which bacterial overgrowth takes place and odor reduces to occur.…”

“… 16 Aluminum salts and other metal salts, such as zirconium, are known to reduce sweating by causing mechanical obstruction of glandular ducts. 16 Therefore, by releasing less sweat, less bacterial production and hence alter the environment in which bacterial overgrowth takes place and odor reduces to occur. 16 A previous study recommended antiperspirant use (based on a 90% success rate for the desired effects) as first-line treatment of AO.…”

“… 16 Therefore, by releasing less sweat, less bacterial production and hence alter the environment in which bacterial overgrowth takes place and odor reduces to occur. 16 A previous study recommended antiperspirant use (based on a 90% success rate for the desired effects) as first-line treatment of AO. 17 However, topical antiperspirants are only a transient solution for AO, 18 while the surgery can permanently resolve AO.…”

Metabolomic Analysis of Skin Malodor-Associated Compounds and Structure-based Prediction of Acetolactate Synthase Selective Sulfonylurea Inhibitors

“…Laser interference and surgery to destroy subcutaneous apocrine sweat glands are the most commonly used treatments for body malodors (9). The use of aluminum antiperspirant is able to block the sweat glands to keep sweat from getting to the skin's surface (10). However, both removal of sweat glands by surgery and blockage of sweat glands by aluminum antiperspirant cannot terminate the malodor production derived from the metabolism of bacteria on the skin.…”

“…Furthermore, the side-effects, including osteomalacia and microcytic anemia, caused by the accumulation of aluminum on human tissues have been extensively reported (11). Reduction in malodor formation can be achieved by the use of antimicrobial antiperspirants which contain tricolsan (10) to kill skin bacteria inducing S. epidermidis and Corynebacterium spp. However, non-special killing skin bacteria by these antimicrobial antiperspirants may completely disrupt the bene cial bacteria in the skin microbiome (12).…”