BODY CARE 19


Microbiome-friendly deodorant ingredient


Silvio Ariel Maurutto - Chemyunion


The personal care sector has undergone profound transformations over the past decade, largely driven by heightened consumer awareness of health, sustainability, and transparency in cosmetic formulations. Within this context, growing attention has been directed toward natural, microbiome-friendly deodorants designed to preserve the balance of the cutaneous microbiota while ensuring effective odour control. This phenomenon reflects not only a broader


cultural transition toward the paradigm of clean beauty but also scientific advances that elucidate the connection between skin health and overall wellbeing. The concept of clean beauty has gained


global relevance as a category of products free from aluminium, parabens, synthetic fragrances, and other controversial compounds. This trend is further reinforced by the increasing demand for sustainability, expressed through refillable packaging, powder-based formats, and eco- certifications. Furthermore, today’s consumers increasingly


require transparency and scientific substantiation, creating a favourable environment for products that demonstrate measurable benefits to the skin microbiome.1 Innovation in this field has focused on


formulations incorporating natural ingredients such as prebiotics, probiotics, postbiotics, antioxidants, and mild exfoliating agents, all designed to selectively modulate the microbiome, reducing malodour without compromising microbial diversity.


The skin microbiome The term human microbiome refers to the collection of microorganisms that coexist in a balanced manner within the human body, forming a community integrated with the host organism. In contrast, the term microbiota refers to the set of microorganisms that inhabit human body tissues, including the skin (skin microbiota). This cutaneous ecosystem is complex and


diverse, composed of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa, with most of these microorganisms being harmless or even beneficial to the host by protecting it against more aggressive pathogens.13 The skin microbiome plays a crucial role in the


formation of body odour, especially in regions rich in apocrine sweat glands, such as the axillae. Human sweat is initially odourless but acquires its characteristic smell after interacting with skin bacteria.2


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The microbial balance directly influences the


type and intensity of body odour. Factors such as age, diet, genetics, hygiene, and the use of antimicrobial products can alter this balance, thereby changing the individual’s olfactory profile.3 Some studies suggest that continuous use


of deodorants and antiperspirants may alter the composition of the axillary microbiota, reducing certain populations while promoting the growth of others, ultimately influencing body odour formation.4


Skin microorganism classification Skin microorganisms can be classified as resident (they adhere to and reproduce on the skin) or transient (they do not adhere or reproduce in a sustained manner).14 Four bacterial phyla predominate on the


skin: Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Bacteroidetes, with the first three accounting for approximately 94.9% of the skin microbiota. Among the most common genera are Corynebacterium, Cutibacterium (Propionibacterium), and Staphylococcus, which together represent more than 62% of the microorganisms detected on healthy skin.5


Genera such as Corynebacterium and


Staphylococcus are particularly important in this process. These bacteria degrade lipids, proteins, and sweat metabolites, producing volatile compounds such as short-chain fatty acids, thioalcohols, and sulphur containing molecules.4,6 Studies indicate that gender significantly


influences the composition of the skin microbial community, likely due to differences in steroid production. Regarding the axillary microbiota, Staphylococcus is the predominant genus in women, whereas Corynebacterium predominates in men.7 The genus Staphylococcus, belonging to


the Firmicutes phylum, includes important microorganisms of the skin microbiota. Among them, two species with distinct characteristics stand out: Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus. Staphylococcus epidermidis is the most


frequently isolated species from healthy skin and generally maintains a commensal or saprophytic relationship with the host.8


It contributes to skin


health by reducing inflammation after injury and inhibiting pathogens such as Streptococcus spp. and Staphylococcus aureus, thereby enhancing


February 2026 PERSONAL CARE MAGAZINE


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