How to Reduce Odor in Fragrance-Free Waterproof Sunscreen Formulations

Creating a fragrance-free, waterproof sunscreen formulation that still has an unpleasant odor from chemical ingredients and extracts can be challenging. However, we offer ingredients that can help mitigate these unwanted smells without relying on added fragrances.

Recommended Deodorizing Agents

We recommend several deodorizing products that can be incorporated into your sunscreen formulation, depending on the nature of the odor and the properties of your formula:

• Odor-Kill™ (Maltodextrin): This is a white, odorless powder that is highly soluble in water. It is very effective at absorbing odors from chemical ingredients and natural extracts in formulations. It is ideal for directly reducing odors from various raw materials in your sunscreen. It should be added in the final step of mixing at temperatures below 50°C, at a concentration of 0.3-1% (0.3-0.5% recommended).
• Citromask™ (Natural Deodorizer): This deodorizer has no scent of its own but can effectively neutralize the smell of various chemical ingredients in cosmetic formulas, particularly odors from the fatty acid group (which can originate from certain ingredients). Citromask™ is soluble in oil or alcohol, making it suitable for formulations with an oil phase, at a concentration of 0.1-1%.
• Zinc Ricinoleate (30% Solution): Zinc Ricinoleate solution is excellent at absorbing body odor by chemically binding (chelating) odor-causing molecules directly, rather than just masking them. It is dispersible in water and stable in formulas with a pH range of 7.5-11. It can be used at a concentration of 1-4% to help reduce overall odors in the formula.
• CleanTea™ Liquid (Green Tea Extract Deodorizer): This green tea extract is effective in suppressing all types of unwanted odors, including those from various ingredients in cosmetic formulations. It can be used at a concentration of 1-5% (3% recommended), added in the final step at temperatures below 40°C.
• Odor-Kill DO™ (Octenidine HCl, Deodorant): This is a preservative with strong properties against odor-causing bacteria, thus helping to reduce odors that arise from microbial growth in the formulation. It is a clear, colorless liquid, water-soluble, and can withstand heat up to 80°C for no more than 30 minutes. It is suitable for cosmetic formulas with a pH range of 4-9, at a concentration of 0.1-1.0%.

Considerations for Selection

• Odor Type: If the odor originates directly from chemicals or extracts, Odor-Kill™ and CleanTea™ Liquid will be highly effective.
• Formula Compatibility: Consider the solubility (water-soluble, oil-soluble) and pH of your sunscreen formulation to choose the most suitable deodorizing agent.
• Additional Benefits: Odor-Kill DO™ not only reduces odor but also acts as a preservative and helps to make the skin feel smoother.

Experimenting with small quantities of these deodorizing agents and adjusting the proportions will help you achieve the best results in reducing unwanted odors in your waterproof sunscreen formulation.