Abstract: The invention provides a deodorant composition for reducing axillary body odor without suppressing the secretion of perspiration, comprising a suspension of a particulate deodorant active material in a carrier liquid or gel medium containing less than 80% water by weight of the carrier medium, particularly an aerosol or roll-on composition, in which the deodorant active ingredient is a zinc carbonate.

Abstract: A cosmetically acceptable product for topical application to human skin comprises a selected amphiphilic compound having a log partition coefficient in octanol/water of from 0.5 to 3.5; emulsifier which is normally solid at 20.degree. C., which has an average HLB value of from 5 to 11, and which is capable with water of forming a gel phase having an X-ray reflection of from 0.37 to 0.44 nm and which permits substantially no co-crystallisation therewith of the amphiphilic compound; an activity enhancer which is capable, at a concentration of 5% by weight of increasing the cloud point temperature of a 0.025M aqueous solution of polyoxyethylene (8) nonylphenyl ether by at least 10.degree. C.; and water, the product having an aqueous phase and a gel phase.Optionally the product can also comprise an "oil" having a dielectric constant not greater than 3.0, in which case the product will also comprise an oily phase.

Abstract: The invention provides a deodorant composition for reducing axillary body odor without suppressing the secretion of perspiration, comprising a suspension of a particulate deodorant active material in a carrier liquid or gel medium containing less than 80% water by weight of the carrier medium, particularly an aerosol or roll-on composition, in which the deodorant active ingredient is an oxide, hydroxide or carbonate of magnesium or lanthanum or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: A cosmetically acceptable composition for topical application to human skin comprises from 0.1 to 20% by weight of a substituted 2-hydroxyoctanoic acid or 2-ketooctanoic acid or a mixture thereof, together with an amount of a special neutralizing agent sufficient to adjust the pH of the composition to a value of from 3 to 7. The special neutralizing agent is one having a cation whose ionic radius is at least 100 pm.

Abstract: A cosmetically acceptable composition for topical application to human skin comprises from 0.1 to 20% by weight of a substituted 2-hydroxyoctanoic acid or 2-ketooctanoic acid or a mixture thereof, together with an amount of a special neutralizing agent sufficient to adjust the pH of the composition to a value of from 3 to 7. The special neutralizing agent is one having a cation whose ionic radius is at least 100 pm.