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The skin microbiome, particularly the axillary (armpit) region, is covered by dense secretory glands, such as apocrine, eccrine, and sebaceous glands. These glands secrete various nutrients and moisten skin folds such as the armpit, which provides habitable growth conditions for odour-causing bacteria.
A summary of what we know:
Sweat is an odourless liquid mostly comprised of water, electrolytes, and proteins, and the formation of an unpleasant odour is a result of the metabolic activity of the microbiome habituated in the axillary region (Teerasumran et al., 2023)
There are four primary types of bacterial species involved in malodour compound production, Cutibacterium, Micrococci, Staphylococcus, and Corynebacterium with the latter two being the most prominent (Teerasumran et al., 2023)
The bacterial community in the armpit decomposes the odourless sweat into volatile odorous byproducts, such as volatile fatty acids (VFAs), 3-hydroxy hexanoic acid (3M3H), and 3-hydroxy-3-methylhexanoic acid (HMHA) (Kim et al., 2021; Fredrich et al., 2013)
The mechanism of action of deodorants relies on the use of antimicrobial agents to inhibit the growth of body odour-forming microbial species, however complete suppression of the axillary microbiome can lead to dysbiosis (Teerasumran et al., 2023)
Recent research has shown the potential prebiotic effect of 2- butyloctanol which inhibited odour-causing Corynebacterium whilst maintaining skin-friendly Staphylococcus in the axillary microbiome (Li et al., 2021)
Industry impact & potential:
Brands and ingredient manufacturers have started to show care for the underarm microbiome by introducing clean, sustainable and low preservative formulas
Symrise Cosmetic Ingredients biodegradable deodorant active SymDeo® B125, effectively prevents malodours and claims ‘microbiome-friendly’ with ex vivo tests showing selective activity on odour-causing Gram-positive bacteria
Pioneering microbiome brand Aurelia London (part of H&H Group) Probiotic Skincare’s Botanical Cream Deodorant is a multi-award winning formula that claims to ‘eliminate odour-causing bacteria’
Our Solution:
We have helped some of the world's leading companies to test their microbiome-based deodorant formulations. In our clinical studies, we’ve observed some significant shifts in specific microbial taxa, such as Corynebacterium, and corresponding reports of improvements in malodour. Our work suggests that we may be entering the next generation for effective deodorants - significantly disrupting our traditional take on smelling fresh.
As studies are primarily based on invitro studies, it will be critical to do further clinical studies in vivo to demonstrate there is a translation to improved microbiome health, mirroring a reduction in malodour.
References:
Fredrich E, Barzantny H, Brune I, Tauch A. Daily battle against body odor: towards the activity of the axillary microbiota. Trends Microbiol. 2013 Jun;21(6):305-12. doi: 10.1016/j.tim.2013.03.002. Epub 2013 Apr 6. PMID: 23566668.
Kim MJ, Tagele SB, Jo H, Kim MC, Jung Y, Park YJ, So JH, Kim HJ, Kim HJ, Lee DG,
Kang S, Shin JH. Effect of a bioconverted product of Lotus corniculatus seed on the axillary microbiome and body odor. Sci Rep. 2021 May 12;11(1):10138. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-89606-5. PMID: 33980951; PMCID: PMC8115508.
Li M, Truong K, Pillai S, Boyd T, Fan A. The potential prebiotic effect of 2-Butyloctanol on the human axillary microbiome. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2021 Dec;43(6):627-635. doi: 10.1111/ics.12738. Epub 2021 Oct 6. PMID: 34448215.
Teerasumran P, Velliou E, Bai S, Cai Q. Deodorants and antiperspirants: New trends in
their active agents and testing methods. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2023 Aug;45(4):426-443. doi: 10.1111/ics.12852. Epub 2023 Mar 21. PMID: 36896776; PMCID: PMC10946881.
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