Abstract: Cosmetic agents having a reduced amount of active ingredient, without adversely affecting the deodorizing effect, which also have excellent storage stability, contain in a cosmetically acceptable carrier ethylenediamine disuccinic acid and/or salts thereof and at least one benzalkonium chloride of the formula (I) in which R stands for —H or -ethyl and n stands for an integer from the group of 7, 9, 11, 13, 15 or 17, with the proviso that the total amount of compound(s) of formula (I) is from about 0.05 to about 5% by weight, based on the agent.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions comprising at least one peptide with a structure or structural pattern of ?-defensin 2 and/or its derivatives, especially human ?-defensin 2. The compositions are selected in particular from cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical compositions, cleaning and/or washing agents, water-treatment agents and cooling lubricants. The invention also relates to the use of peptides with a structure or structural pattern of ?-defensin 2 and/or its derivatives, especially human ?-defensin 2, as an antimicrobial active ingredient in the aforementioned agents.