20251101
Consulting myself with the Holy Spirit
If my pits bother
Have I actually looked into what will fix it?
No, just blindly tried different products
If I just put in 20% effort into chat GPT
What causes body odor under armpits?
Body odor under the armpits is mainly caused by bacteria interacting with sweat. Here’s the breakdown of what’s happening:
1. Sweat glands
Your body has two main types of sweat glands:
Eccrine glands – found all over the body, produce mostly water and salt to help cool you down. This sweat usually doesn’t smell.
Apocrine glands – found mainly in the armpits and groin. These glands produce a thicker, milky sweat that contains proteins and lipids.
2. Bacteria activity
The apocrine sweat itself is odorless when it first comes out.
But when it mixes with the natural bacteria that live on your skin (especially Corynebacterium and Staphylococcus hominis), the bacteria break down the sweat’s proteins and fatty acids.
This bacterial breakdown releases volatile compounds — like short-chain fatty acids, thioalcohols, and ammonia — which smell bad.
3. Factors that worsen body odor
Poor hygiene (allowing sweat and bacteria to build up)
Warm, moist environments (bacteria thrive there)
Certain foods (like garlic, onions, spicy food)
Stress (increases apocrine sweat output)
Hormonal changes (puberty, menstruation, etc.)
Some medical conditions or medications
4. How to reduce odor
Antiperspirants: block sweat production.
Deodorants: kill bacteria and mask odor.
Washing regularly with antibacterial soap.
Wearing breathable fabrics (like cotton).
Trimming or shaving armpit hair, which reduces bacterial surface area.
Diet adjustments if certain foods seem to worsen odor.
Would you like me to explain the difference between antiperspirants vs deodorants and which works better for odor control?
How much material is killed in deodorants from the store versus antimicrobial essential oil like tea tree oil or eucalyptus?
That’s a great question — there is research on how well conventional deodorants/antiperspirants reduce under-arm bacteria, and also how well certain essential oils (like 1,8‑cineole/terpinen‑4‑ol-rich oils such as Eucalyptus globulus and Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) perform. But the data aren’t directly comparable, in part because the testing conditions differ a lot (in vitro vs on actual human under-arms) and “how much killed” is rarely reported as a clear percentage reduction in everyday use. I’ll summarize what the evidence does show, and highlight the gaps.
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✅ What we know about store-deodorants/antiperspirants
A study of antiperspirant/deodorant impact on the armpit microbiome found:
On days when all participants used a product containing an aluminum‐salt antiperspirant, "very few microbes" were found on the skin.
From that same study: On Day 1, antiperspirant users had fewer culturable bacteria than non-users, although with high variability; by day 7-8 when everyone applied antiperspirant, bacterial counts dropped significantly.
A classic older study of a gel antiperspirant formulation containing aqueous aluminum chloride showed that after one application (occlusive patch), skin remained “virtually sterile for 3 days” in vivo.
Another more recent roll‐on deodorant (not necessarily antiperspirant) with the active polymer polyquaternium-16 showed a statistically significant log10 bacterial count reduction (in under‐arms) vs comparator products over 24–48 h.
Takeaway: Conventional antiperspirants/strong deodorants can reduce under-arm bacterial counts substantially — potentially to very low numbers (cultured) if applied correctly. But how much in percentage terms in real-world (e.g., after morning shower + daily activity) isn’t always clearly stated.
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🌿 What we know about essential oils (tea tree, eucalyptus)
For tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia):
A study found that at 2% v/v, tea tree oil inhibited growth of Cutibacterium acnes (formerly Propionibacterium acnes) in vitro.
Another study (2024) of deodorant sprays containing tea tree oil (2%, 3%, 5%) found the 5% formula had the largest inhibition zone (~24.6 mm) against Staphylococcus aureus in the lab.
For eucalyptus essential oil (Eucalyptus globulus and other species):
In vitro tests found minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ≈ 625 µg/mL against Staphylococcus species in one study.
Another showed that eucalyptus oil emulsions killed E. coli, S. aureus and P. aeruginosa in <1 minute in vitro in a formulation.
A review noted that antimicrobial effectiveness of eucalyptus oil depends strongly on concentration and bacterial load.
Takeaway: Essential oils do show credible antimicrobial action in lab (in vitro) models; for example, at certain concentrations they inhibit or kill skin-associated bacteria. But their performance in actual under-arm conditions (sweat, skin flora, fabrics, movement) is less well quantified.
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🔍 How they compare (and the gaps)
What we can say:
Antiperspirants/strong deodorants can dramatically reduce bacterial counts in under-arms (based on culture data) when measured under controlled conditions.
Essential oils show antimicrobial activity in lab settings, but we have little robust data telling us “X% of bacteria on under-arms were killed” when someone uses a tea tree/eucalyptus‐based product in real‐life.
What we cannot reliably say:
“Deodorant A kills 90% of under-arm bacteria, essential oil product B kills 30%” — the studies aren’t standardized that way.
How long the reduction lasts under real-life conditions (sweating, movement, re‐colonization) for essential‐oil products.
Whether the reduced odor from essential oils is solely due to bacterial killing vs just changing community/filming over vs masking.
That essential oils are as effective or more effective than standard antiperspirants for odor control — the evidence is weaker for that claim.
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💡 So, to answer your question
You asked: “How much material is killed in deodorants from the store versus antimicrobial essential oil like tea tree oil or eucalyptus?”
Here’s a summary answer:
Store/antiperspirant deodorants: There is evidence of substantial reduction (often large log-fold drops) in under-arm bacteria in controlled studies (e.g., near “virtually sterile” in one patch-test study).
Essential oils (tea tree, eucalyptus): They show antimicrobial effect in lab tests (e.g., inhibition zones, MIC values) and could reduce bacteria on under-arms, but the data don’t give a clear real-world %-reduction or durability comparison to conventional products.
Therefore: conventional products likely have stronger and more reliably quantified bacterial kill or growth inhibition (in situ) than essential oil based products — but “how much more” isn’t clearly measured in matched studies.
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If you like, I can dig up specific numbers from all available studies (e.g., % reductions, log-fold changes) side-by-side for conventional vs essential oil products — though the match may not be perfect. Would that be helpful to you?
What essential oils fight against Corynebacterium and Staphylococcus hominis
Here are some essential oils that have shown activity against the bacteria you asked about — namely Corynebacterium spp. (which includes species involved in body‐odor) and Staphylococcus hominis — along with the caveats about interpretation. This is not a recommendation for clinical use; essential oils can vary widely in quality, concentration, and safety, and in-vitro antimicrobial activity does not guarantee effectiveness on the skin or in real-world conditions.
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✅ Oils with evidence of activity
Against Staphylococcus hominis
A study on Staphylococcus spp. isolated from human semen found that essential oils from Citrus paradise (grapefruit peel oil), Citrus reticulata (tangerine/mandarin peel oil), Juniperus communis (juniper berry oil), Eucalyptus globulus leaf oil, and Cananga odorata (ylang ylang) inhibited growth of S. hominis.
Another investigation of a cream containing Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) essential oil found “moderate” antibacterial effect on S. hominis (zone of inhibition ~14.3 mm with one concentration) in vitro.
Against Corynebacterium spp. (odor-associated Corynebacteria)
An investigation of essential oil from Pimenta pseudocaryophyllus (a Brazilian plant) showed activity against Corynebacterium xerosis — though that species is less common than the odor-associated ones in armpits. MICs ranged ~500–1 000 µg/mL.
A study of tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) found it was not effective (or less effective) against Corynebacterium spp. in one case (mic + m-bactericidal concentration high) which suggests it may not reliably kill Corynebacterium.
Other relevant oils and data
Tea tree oil has solid antimicrobial evidence against various staph species (e.g., S. aureus, S. epidermidis) including biofilms.
Thyme oil, lemongrass oil, oregano oil show very good activity against Staphylococcus spp. in several studies. For instance, thyme oil had very strong effect against S. aureus planktonic & biofilms.
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⚠️ Important caveats & limitations
Many studies are in vitro (test‐tube) rather than on human skin or in the real armpit environment.
Concentrations used in lab may be much higher than what is safely achievable on the skin.
“Staphylococcus hominis” and odor-causing Corynebacterium in the armpit may behave differently (biofilms, sweat, hair, skin lipids) than lab isolates.
Essential oils can cause skin irritation, allergic contact dermatitis, especially in sensitive zones like the under-arm. Dilution, patch testing, safety are key.
Even if a bacteria is killed in the lab, recolonization from skin, hair follicles, sweat glands, fabric still happens — so it’s not a “once and done” fix.
Some studies show no effect for certain oils against Corynebacterium (e.g., tea tree oil vs Corynebacterium spp).
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🔍 Summary suggestion
If you’re seeking essential oils specifically to target S. hominis and odor-associated Corynebacterium, here are some oils with relatively stronger evidence:
Rosemary oil (Rosmarinus officinalis) — has demonstrated inhibition of S. hominis in one study.
Grapefruit/mandarin/tangerine peel oils (Citrus spp.) — some inhibition of S. hominis.
Thyme oil, oregano oil, lemongrass oil — good general activity against Staphylococcus spp., which may include S. hominis.
Pimenta pseudocaryophyllus oil — demonstrated activity vs Corynebacterium xerosis (a relative) though species may differ.
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If you like, I can pull together a table of all known essential oils with data specific to S. hominis and Corynebacterium spp. (odor-associated) + their MIC/zone values, safety/dilution guidelines, and any formulate‐ready suggestions. Would that be helpful for you?
What is the population of odor causing corynebacterium vs the non-odor causing bacteria?
There is some good data on how prominent the odour-associated bacteria (such as genera Corynebacterium and Staphylococcus) are in the under-arm/axillary microbiome, but not always neatly separated into “odor-causing vs non-odor-causing” populations. Here’s a summary of what the literature shows:
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🧪 What the studies report
In a study of 10 healthy volunteers vs 10 patients with moderate-to-severe axillary osmidrosis (strong body odour) the authors reported:
Healthy (control) under-arms: Staphylococcus species ~ 71.6% (mean) of sequences; Corynebacterium ~ 16.3% (mean).
Malodour (case) under-arms: Corynebacterium ~ 43.9% (mean) and Anaerococcus ~ 20.2%; Staphylococcus ~ 23.0%.
In the case group, the Corynebacterium proportion increased with severity of odour: ~61.5% (severe) vs ~26.4% (moderate) in that study.
Another review reports that the under-arm skin microbiota has very high bacterial densities (e.g., around ~10⁶ colony-forming units per cm² in older culture-based work) and that Corynebacterium and Staphylococcus dominate moist sites like the axilla.
More recently, one paper states: “Corynebacterium accounts for around 20% of the armpit microbiome” in one context.
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🧮 What this implies
Among “healthy” under‐arms (or those with lower odour), Staphylococcus seems to dominate (~70% in one small study) and Corynebacterium is a smaller (e.g., ~15-20%) component.
In “odour-heavy” under‐arms, Corynebacterium becomes a much larger proportion (e.g., ~40-60% in one study), while Staphylococcus falls to a smaller share (~20% or less).
Thus, the relative abundance of Corynebacterium versus other genera correlates with odour severity (higher Corynebacterium → stronger odour).
However, note: this is relative abundance (percentage of sequences or cultured colony share), not an absolute count of cells or absolute “population” of odor-causing vs non odor-causing bacteria across all species.
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⚠️ Limitations & caveats
These numbers vary a lot by individual, by method (culture vs sequencing), by whether antiperspirants/deodorants are used or not, by gender, age, sweat rate, hygiene, etc.
Even within Corynebacterium or Staphylococcus genera, some species or Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) are more strongly associated with odour (e.g., specific Corynebacterium species, or specific S. hominis OTUs) while others might be benign.
The data often give proportions (percent of community) rather than absolute numbers (cells per cm²) so comparing “how many odor-causing bacteria” vs “how many non-odor-causing” exactly is hard.
“Non-odor causing bacteria” is a broad term — many species may be present but not produce odour precursors or volatiles; studies often focus on “dominant genera” rather than labelling each species as odour-causing or not.
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✅ My best estimate based on current data
In a “normal/low odour” under-arm: Corynebacterium might be ~15-20% of the bacterial community, Staphylococcus ~50-70% (with other genera making up the rest).
In a “high odour” under-arm: Corynebacterium might increase to ~40-60% (or more) of the community, while Staphylococcus might drop to ~20% or less.
The shift suggests odor‐associated bacteria become relatively more abundant when odour is present.
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If you like, I can look up absolute quantification studies (e.g., cells per cm²) for specific odour‐associated Corynebacterium species (e.g., Corynebacterium tuberculostearicum) and their counts in odour vs non-odour armpits — that might provide a clearer “population” figure. Would you like me to dig for that?
What is the average population of these two bacterias in southeast Asian population
I could not find robust data that reports the average absolute population (in say cells/cm² or CFU) of both Corynebacterium (odor-causing types) and Staphylococcus hominis specifically for a Southeast Asian population. What I did locate are some useful clues and relative abundance data relevant to East Asian / Asian populations, which may help give context.
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🔍 What the available data show for Asian / East Asian populations
In the study “The influence of age, gender and race/ethnicity on the composition of the human axillary microbiome”, East Asians (an ethnicity category) were shown to have higher levels of S. hominis (52.4% of total Staphylococcus for East Asians vs. ~19.9% in Caucasians and ~18.7% in Hispanics) in the axillary microbiome.
Another study of Japanese male subjects (13 with “cumin-like/spicy” odour type, 9 with “milky” odour type) found that in axillary skin swabs of these subjects the genera Anaerococcus, Corynebacterium and Staphylococcus together accounted for 96.2–99.9% of the total bacterial population.
A study from Indonesia (“Identification of Microbiota Causing Bromhidrosis in the Axillary”) of 60 adolescent high-school students (age 15-18) found that among Gram-positive cocci isolated from axillary swabs: Staphylococcus hominis spp. hominis accounted for ~30.4% of isolates.
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⚠️ Why this isn’t a precise “average population” number
The studies report relative proportions (percentage of sequences or isolates) rather than absolute counts (cells/cm²).
Many studies group all Corynebacterium species (or all Staphylococcus species) rather than isolating specifically the odor-causing ones.
“Southeast Asian” as a regional population is rarely specified; many studies categorize “East Asian” or generic “Asian” rather than specific countries in Southeast Asia (e.g., Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines).
Conditions vary: age, hygiene, deodorant/antiperspirant use, sampling methods all differ, making cross-study comparisons difficult.
There’s little to no standardized data measuring both Corynebacterium and S. hominis with absolute counts in a Southeast Asian cohort.
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✅ Best estimate / interpretation for a Southeast Asian context
Based on the available data:
In a Southeast Asian adolescent sample (Indonesia), ~30.4% of the Gram-positive cocci isolated from axillary swabs were Staphylococcus hominis spp. hominis.
For Corynebacterium in Asian/East Asian cohorts, we know it can be a significant portion of the axillary microbiome (e.g., in Japanese males the genera collectively of interest were ~96% for dominant ones) but that does not isolate the exact percentage for Corynebacterium alone in that population.
Given East Asians show ~52.4% of their Staphylococcus genus reads were S. hominis in one study, this suggests that S. hominis can be a major component of the Staphylococcus-dominated part of the axilla in Asian groups.
So, while I cannot provide “cells per cm²” or a mean value for the population of these two bacteria for Southeast Asia, the relative makeup suggests S. hominis can constitute a substantial portion (e.g., ~30% of isolates in one cohort) and Corynebacterium can similarly be prominent though exact numbers vary.
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If you’d like, I can search more deeply for any microbiome studies specifically in Southeast Asia (e.g., Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand) that provide absolute counts (CFU or cells/cm²) for these bacteria in axillary samples. Would that be useful?
What essential oil is pimenta pseudocaryophyllus
Pimenta pseudocaryophyllus is a plant species native to Brazil, and its essential oil is sometimes called Brazilian bay, “craveiro-do-mato”, or “canelas” oil, depending on the region.
Here’s a detailed breakdown 👇
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🌿 Botanical background
Scientific name: Pimenta pseudocaryophyllus (Gomes) Landrum
Family: Myrtaceae (same family as clove and eucalyptus)
Common names:
“Craveiro-do-mato” (Portuguese; means “wild clove”)
“Brazilian bay”
Sometimes called “false clove” due to its spicy, clove-like scent
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💧 Essential oil characteristics
Plant parts used: Leaves or sometimes stems
Extraction method: Steam distillation
Main aroma:
Spicy and warm, resembling clove or allspice
Slightly floral and sweet notes depending on the chemotype
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🧪 Chemical composition
There are two major chemotypes (chemical variations):
1. Eugenol-rich type – smells like clove; this is the most common and studied form.
Major constituents: eugenol (60–90%), β-caryophyllene, α-humulene.
Properties: antimicrobial, antifungal, antioxidant, analgesic.
2. Geraniol-rich type – smells more floral or rosy.
Major constituents: geraniol (30–60%), nerol, linalool, β-caryophyllene.
Properties: antimicrobial, insecticidal, anti-inflammatory, calming scent.
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⚗️ Antimicrobial research
Studies show P. pseudocaryophyllus essential oil (especially eugenol-type) is effective against several bacteria and fungi, including:
Staphylococcus aureus
Bacillus subtilis
Corynebacterium xerosis (a relative of odor-causing Corynebacterium)
Candida albicans
It’s believed that eugenol (also the main active in clove oil) disrupts bacterial cell membranes and inhibits enzyme activity.
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⚠️ Safety considerations
Topical use: Should always be diluted in a carrier oil (e.g., 1–2% max).
Eugenol can be a skin irritant in higher concentrations.
Avoid direct use on sensitive areas like armpits without patch testing.
Not recommended for pregnant women or those with sensitive skin unless approved by a professional.
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🧴 In summary
Property Description
Common name Brazilian bay / Craveiro-do-mato
Main compounds Eugenol (clove-like) or Geraniol (floral type)
Smell Spicy, warm, slightly sweet
Uses Antimicrobial, deodorizing, antifungal, analgesic
Cautions Can irritate skin; always dilute
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Would you like me to tell you how it compares (chemically and in antimicrobial strength) to clove essential oil (Syzygium aromaticum) — since they share eugenol as the main compound?
Is the California bay laurel part of the same family as the bay laurel listed here?
Great question — and an important distinction! 🌿
No, California bay laurel is not part of the same family as the true bay laurel (Laurus nobilis) or the West Indian bay (Pimenta racemosa).
Here’s how they differ botanically and chemically 👇
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🌿 1. California Bay Laurel
Scientific name: Umbellularia californica
Family: Lauraceae (the same family as Laurus nobilis, but a different genus)
Common names: California bay, Oregon myrtle, pepperwood
Native to: Western North America (California, Oregon)
Main aromatic compound: Umbellulone (a ketone)
Scent: Strong, sharp, camphor-like — much more pungent than Mediterranean bay
Uses: Historically used as a spice or in herbal remedies, but not for essential oil on skin due to umbellulone’s irritant and neurotoxic potential.
⚠️ Caution: Umbellulone can trigger headaches (it’s actually used experimentally to induce migraine models in research!).
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🌿 2. True Bay Laurel (Mediterranean)
Scientific name: Laurus nobilis
Family: Lauraceae
Main aromatic compounds: 1,8-cineole, eugenol, linalool
Scent: Warm, herbal, slightly spicy — the culinary bay leaf
Uses: Cooking, aromatherapy, gentle topical applications
Effect: Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, respiratory support
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🌿 3. West Indian Bay (Bay Rum Tree)
Scientific name: Pimenta racemosa
Family: Myrtaceae (same family as Pimenta pseudocaryophyllus)
Main aromatic compound: Eugenol (clove-like)
Scent: Spicy, warm, sweet — used in “Bay Rum” colognes
Uses: Perfumery, aftershaves, antimicrobial topical blends
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🧾 Summary Table
Common Name Scientific Name Family Main Actives Similar to P. pseudocaryophyllus? Safety
California Bay Laurel Umbellularia californica Lauraceae Umbellulone (neuroactive) ❌ No — different chemistry ⚠️ Can cause irritation/headache
True Bay Laurel Laurus nobilis Lauraceae 1,8-Cineole, eugenol ⚪ Somewhat similar ✅ Safe when diluted
West Indian Bay Pimenta racemosa Myrtaceae Eugenol, chavicol ✅ Very similar ⚠️ Dilute (strong oil)
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So:
California bay laurel ≠ Pimenta racemosa or P. pseudocaryophyllus.
West Indian bay (Pimenta racemosa) is the one most chemically related and functionally similar to P. pseudocaryophyllus.
California bay should not be used as a substitute due to safety concerns (it’s quite harsh on skin and airways).
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Would you like me to show which safe, accessible oils most closely match P. pseudocaryophyllus’ antimicrobial action without the risks of umbellulone or high-eugenol irritation (for example, a skin-safe blend formula)?
Darn. I was hoping for another reason to find a California bay laurel. It is ok. This is a good starting point to start making an elixir
I will seek and experience:
- Essential Oil Approx. Eugenol % Odor
- Clove Bud (Syzygium aromaticum) 70–85% Warm, spicy, almost identical scent Strongest eugenol source
- Cinnamon Leaf (Cinnamomum verum / zeylanicum) 65–75% Spicy, herbal, more smoky Antimicrobial, deodorant potential
- Bay Laurel (Pimenta racemosa) 40–60% Spicy, sweet, similar family Hair/scalp, deodorant blends
- Allspice (Pimenta dioica) 60–80% Spicy
- Essential Oil Approx. Geraniol % Odor / Notes
- Palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii) 70–85% Rosy, sweet, soft Excellent antimicrobial; gentle on skin
- Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) 20–30% Floral, green, sweet Balances skin flora, deodorizing
- Citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus) 25–35% Lemony-floral Antimicrobial, deodorant base
- Rose (Rosa damascena) 30–40% Rich floral High-end antimicrobial, calming