L’Oréal is backing a group of French scientists who are conducting research that incorporates Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MIPs) as a deodorant for cosmetic formulations.

The research indicates that the MIPs have been developed in such a way that they can capture the precursor chemicals that are known to cause the bad smell associated with body odour.

The research was carried out by a group of scientists at the Compiègne University of Technology in France, and the findings were reported on in both The International Edition of Angewandte Chemie and the online publication Chemistry World.

First time using MIPs in a cosmetic formulation

What makes the research interesting is the fact this is the first time that MIPs have been incorporated into any kind of cosmetic and personal care formulation, and the scientists are claiming that tests results have proved to be highly effective.

The scientists set about trying to find a more natural alternative to the chemicals that are used in both anti-perspirants and deodorants.

Anti-perspirants rely on aluminum salts to kill bacteria and prevent sweat, while deodorants rely on chemicals such as tryclosan and chlorhexidine to solely kill bacteria.

Problems arising from these solutions include the fact that they disturb the skin biota, while overuse is being associated with the growing incidence of antibacterial resistance and allergic reactions.

MIPs cosmetic patent registered in 2014

To answer these issues, the team of scientists has teamed up with L’Oréal and has been building the research into a MIPs-based solution off the back of a patent that was first registered in 2014.

The MIP the team is showcasing has been developed off the back of two of the molecules known to cause body odour, which was then settled on a glutamic acid solution and then polymerised, with the resulting compound then made into a powdered MIP designed to combine with the molecules.

Testing of the MIP on a mixture of human sweat and deodorant formulation found that it selectively captured the malodourous compound precursors, which meant that the skin bacteria did not combine with them to release the odour.

Although the scientists believe that this is a significant breakthrough in treating body odour with cosmetic formulations, the inclusion of MIPs will have to undergo significantly more testing to determine its full potential.

Cosmetics Design-Europe, (19/05/2016)