The main discovery for the antiperspirant and deodorant market was in 1942 when aluminum cholorhydrate was first produced in the United States. Since then, further research has led to the development of enhanced active aluminum compounds that provide longer lasting protection.
In the 1990s the development of products such as clear gels, soft solids, and invisible solids, satisfied the demand for antiperspirants and deodorants that apply clear and do not leave white marks on skin or clothing. Numerous patents during this and the following decade also addressed the need for improved deodorant actives. Some of the methods explored included the use of a chemical referred to as DTPA (diethylenetriaminepenta-acetic acid) that was found to bind to the iron contained in sweat, thus disabling bacteria that are known to feed on iron; a method that resulted in the inhibition of androgen receptor expression, which is known to carry human odor; and the use of a cellulose fiber product that was found to be an excellent deodorizer.
In the first decade of the twenty-first century, fragrance and the use of non-toxic substances were increasingly important to consumers of antiperspirants and deodorants. Research and development focused on the development of new, more natural and less synthetic smelling products as well as the inclusion of skin-friendly ingredients.
