Deodorant

Such ingredients help to reduce or prevent an unpleasant odor that does not appear due to sweat itself, but mainly due to its decomposition by bacteria on the surface of the skin. In cosmetics, this function is especially important for underarm products, deodorizing sprays, creams, sticks and wipes. According to Cosmetics Info, deodorants can work in different ways: mask the smell with an aromatic composition, absorb substances that create an unpleasant odor, or reduce the conditions for its formation on the skin. At the same time, it is important to distinguish them from antiperspirants: the latter reduce self-sweating and belong to a different regulatory category in the United States. (cosmeticsinfo.org)

In the formula, such components primarily affect the freshness of the skin and the sensory perception of the product. They do not treat skin diseases, but help to maintain a feeling of cleanliness and comfort for longer. In some cases, the effect is associated with the suppression of the growth of microorganisms, in others — with the binding of odorous molecules or the neutralization of odor without noticeable effect on the texture of the skin. This function is used less often for hair, but it can be found in refreshing scalp products and dry care formats. If the product is claimed only as improving odor or external comfort, the FDA classifies it as cosmetics, whereas products with a claim to reduce sweating are considered differently. (cosmeticsinfo.org)

Typical examples of ingredients with this function are zinc—Zinc Ricinoleate and Triethyl Citrate. Zinc Ricinoleate is known as a component that binds odorous substances and is therefore often used in deodorizing formulas; this is explicitly stated in cosmetic ingredient databases. Triethyl Citrate is also used in cosmetics as a citric acid derivative and is often found in mild odor control formulas. As a result, products with such substances help the skin to smell more neutral and fresher, without necessarily reducing the amount of sweat. (cosmeticsinfo.org)