Written by Norman Lowe, June 2026
Malodours are a constant problem, whether associated with human or animal bodies, or non-cosmetic areas like toilets, drains, refuse tips, sewerage, rotting food, cooking smells, and smoking. This blog provides an overview of the systems and chemicals that can be employed to combat these odours.
A malodour is usually a gaseous or volatile vapour which is pungent to the majority of people. Malodours can be lingering odours, such as cooking smells or tobacco smoke. They tend to consist of small volatile molecules, so we need to use chemicals that will absorb or react with these malodours to remove them. This is distinctly different from re-odourising, which simply involves masking the odour with a fragrance.
These substances are not normally considered biocidal.
Cosmetic Applications
This mainly concerns body odour (BO). BO is caused by the bacterial breakdown of fluid from the apocrine glands, producing malodorous short-chain fatty acids and volatile sulphurous and amine compounds.
We can combat this in two ways: either by stopping or absorbing the perspiration that leads to the build-up of these fats and proteins, or by absorbing or reacting with the malodours themselves. This leads to two types of cosmetic products: antiperspirant deodorants and deodorants.
There are many products on the market. HARKE UK & Ireland offers the following solutions:
Antiperspirant Deodorants
To stop perspiration, we use astringent salts which effectively close down the glands. We can also absorb sweat to stop degradation. The astringent salts used for many years continue to be Aluminium and/or Zirconium salts. The best known is Aluminium Chlorohydrate, typically used at 10% to 20% in formulations and applied via roll-ons, sticks, or aerosols. This has proven very effective, not only reducing malodour but also preventing sweat stains on clothing. One disadvantage was staining from the antiperspirant active; however, this can be limited or removed by adding a modified silicone product.
A newer method of managing sweat involves absorption. HARKE UK & Ireland supplies a natural product with the INCI name Magnesium Hydroxide, Magnesium Carbonate Hydroxide, trade name CareMag™ D (from ICL), which reduces microorganisms and absorbs perspiration.
Deodorants
Cosmetic deodorants rely on reacting with malodours, either physically through absorption into the matrix of a larger non-volatile compound, or by chemically reacting to produce a non-volatile compound. At HARKE UK & Ireland, we offer several possibilities:
- Zinc Ricinoleate (Flexicare™ ZR range from ICT), derived from castor oil, is a zinc soap that absorbs many malodorous chemicals into its matrix. This versatile product has been used in cosmetics for many years and is formulated into various products for ease of use.
- Deoplex® from Carrubba is an enzyme-based product containing Saccharomyces Ferment extract from cane sugar. It is a clear, water-white liquid that removes all mammalian malodours and is cosmetically sound.
- Thirdly, we offer Verochic from Sinerga, a product derived from star anise. This product limits the production of fatty acids and has a bacteriostatic action, thereby limiting malodours by removing the substrate upon which bacteria feed.
We provide starting point formulations covering creams, sprays, sticks, and roll-ons for cosmetic use, as well as formulations for the pet care market. Our technical team is adept at formulating products in all of these areas.
Non-Cosmetic Applications
While all products listed in the cosmetic section could be used in non-cosmetic applications, the price usually makes them prohibitive. Zinc Ricinoleate, however, can be used economically. We offer the Flexisorb™ OD range from ICT, which covers various active levels to be tailored to specific applications. Further grades are blended with surfactants to allow direct use in formulations. These OD grades can be used in multiple applications, from drains to rubbish tips.
We have a specific product for carpets and upholstery, Flexisorb™ OD-202, which is blended with agents that prevent staining and leave no sticky residues on drying, allowing for efficient dry soil removal. This enables use in carpet extraction cleaning systems, room deodorant sprays, and upholstery products. Footwear and apparel can also be deodorised.
We have base starting point formulations for many non-cosmetic areas and are adept at developing new systems.
Next Steps
This article has given an overview of deodorisation and our offerings across many applications. These are the products we offer:
Cosmetic
- Flexicare™ ZR LD and L grades (from ICT)
- Deoplex® grades (from Carrubba)
- Verochic (from Sinerga)
- Caremag™ D (from ICL)
Non-cosmetic
- Flexisorb™ OD grades P, 101, 102, 202, 120ZnR, 300, 500 (from ICT)
We are available to help formulate products in any specific area, so please get in touch with the technical team at HARKE UK & Ireland for more information about the ingredients listed above, or to discuss your next formulation.
