Disclosed are
personal care compositions, including compositions for oral,
throat and
skin care comprising a blend of naturally occurring
flavor or perfume ingredients or essential oils containing such ingredients, wherein the blend provides excellent
antimicrobial activity and comprises at least two components, a first acyclic component selected from
citral, neral, geranial,
geraniol and
nerol and a second cyclic-containing component selected from
eucalyptol,
carvacrol and
eugenol. Preferably, the blend comprises 3, 4, 5 or more of the above components. Greater
synergy in terms of
antimicrobial efficacy may be obtained the more different components are blended together. The present compositions are effective in killing, suppressing the growth of and / or altering
metabolism of microorganisms including those which cause undesirable
oral cavity conditions including plaque, caries, calculus,
gingivitis,
periodontal disease and malodor. Optionally the blend further comprises additional
antimicrobial and / or anti-inflammatory components, preferably naturally-occurring as well.