Deodorizing combination of active ingredients

A deodorizing cosmetic agent in the form of an aqueous emulsion which contains: at least one quaternary ammonium compound and ethylhexyl glycerol, wherein the deodorizing cosmetic agent does not contain any aluminum-containing compounds. Most preferably, the polyquat is benzalkonium chloride. Most preferably, the polyquat accounts for 0.05-0.1 wt.% of the mixture. Most preferably, the ethylhexyl glycerol is present in from 0.2-1.0 wt.% of the composition. Preferably, the agent comprises a bactericide from the list; chlorhexidine, farnesol, triclosan, chloroxylenol, phenoxy ethanol. Preferably, the composition does not contain more than 5.0 wt.% ethanol and, in some embodiments, is free of ethanol. Most preferably, the deodorising cosmetic agent comprises 85-95 wt.% water. Also claimed is the use of the composition for preventing and/or reducing body odour and a non-therapeutic method for preventing and/or reducing body odour in which the cosmetic agent is applied to the skin (e.g. armpits) for at least 1 hour.