Microbicidal personal care compositions comprising metal ions

Abstract

Animate surface treatment compositions comprise (or in certain preferred embodiments may consist essentially of, or may consist of): a metal ion source material which releases copper ions and/or zinc ions into the treatment composition, in certain embodiments at least one alcohol which independently of other constituents present exhibits a microbicidal effect, in certain embodiments at least one quaternary ammonium compound which provides a microbicidal benefit, optionally but very preferably also at least one detersive surfactant, further optionally one or more further constituents which impart one or more advantageous technical or aesthetic benefits to the compositions, including one or more detersive surfactants, and water, wherein the compositions are at a pH such that the animate surface treatment compositions, exhibit a microbicidal or germicidal or antimicrobial effect on treated surfaces, which compositions are characterized in exhibiting a microbicidal benefit when tested against one or more challenge microorganisms according to one or more standardized test protocols.