As the demand for natural, safe, and effective deodorants grows, formulators and consumers alike are searching for ingredients that offer both performance and sustainability. Enter Lexgard® MHG Natural MB, a natural multifunctional ingredient developed by Inolex and designed to tackle malodor while supporting a healthy microbiome. Inolex's innovation was recently highlighted at the 34th IFSCC Congress in Brazil, where MHG's exceptional efficacy in deodorant applications was demonstrated.

Figure 1: The C6 - C10 alkyl chain and terminal hydroxyl groups of MCTDs enable effective disruption of bacterial cell membranes.

MHG is a biobased medium-chain terminal diol (MCTD), an important type of preservation technology that interacts with the lipids of bacterial cell membranes, eventually leading to cell collapse.

Effect of MHG on the Skin Microbiome
In TK studies, MHG inhibited 76.1% of C. xerosis (a key contributor to malodor formation) in just 30 seconds.

MHG exhibited greater inhibition of S. aureus as compared to S. epidermidis. (MIC: 0.25 vs. 0.50 wt%)
S. aureus: Associated with inflammatory conditions such as eczema and acne.
S. epidermidis: Commensal ("friendly") bacteria. Inhibits S. Aureus biofilm formation, reducing inflammation.

MHG is derived from castor oil-based 2-octanol and Mass Balance RSPO-certified palm glycerin, combining sustainability with advanced functionality. It works by inhibiting the growth of key bacteria responsible for body odor, such as Corynebacterium xerosis and Staphylococcus aureus, without disrupting the skin's natural microbiome. This makes MHG ideal for formulating natural deodorants that are both gentle and highly effective.