Abstract: Disclosed are &agr;-amides of L-amino acids that produce fragrance or attenuate or mask malodor. In particular, threonine amides, glycine amides, serine amides, and alanine amides can be used in the invention. Such &agr;-amides of L-amino acids are useful for generating pleasant fragrances or attenuating or masking malodor upon cleavage of the &agr;-amides of L-amino acids by bacteria in axillae. The &agr;-amides of L-amino acids can be incorporated into skin treatment compositions and personal care products, such as deodorants, body sprays and antiperspirants, and used in methods for producing fragrance or attenuating or masking malodor.

Abstract: Disclosed are .alpha.-amides of L-amino acids that produce fragrance or attenuate or mask malodor. In particular, glutamine and asparagine amides can be used in the invention. Such .alpha.-amides of L-amino acids are useful for generating pleasant fragrances or attenuating or masking malodor upon cleavage of the .alpha.-amides of L-amino acids by bacteria in axillae. The .alpha.-amides of L-amino acids can be incorporated into skin treatment compositions and personal care products, such as deodorants, body sprays and antiperspirants, and used in methods for producing fragrance or attenuating or masking malodor.

Abstract: The present invention embraces a shaving composition comprising about 65 to 90% water, about 5 to 25% of a water-soluble surface active foaming agent, and about 0.2 to 2.3%, preferably about 0.3 to about 1.5%, and more preferably about 0.5 to about 1.0%, of cysteamine. Such a shaving composition provides improved shaving comfort when compared to a similar shaving composition without the reducing agent, particularly when utilized in conjunction with a humectant aftershave treatment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of improving shaving comfort by softening the hair to be shaved so as to reduce the cutting force required to cut it. The novel method comprises carrying out the following sequential steps:(a) contacting an area of hair to be shaved with a reducing agent that breaks disulfide linkages in hair;(b) contacting the area of hair treated in step (a) with a humectant and allowing it to dry or partially dry;(c) contacting the area treated in step (b) with water to hydrate the hair; and(d) shaving the hydrated hair of step (c).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of improving shaving comfort by softening the hair to be shaved so as to reduce the cutting force required to cut it. The novel method comprises carrying out the following sequential steps:(a) contacting an area of hair to be shaved with a reducing agent that breaks disulfide linkages in hair;(b) contacting the area of hair treated in step (a) with a humectant and allowing it to dry or partially dry;(c) contacting the area treated in step (b) with water to hydrate the hair; and(d) shaving the hydrated hair of step (c).