Products and methods for reducing malodor from the pudendum

Abstract

Products and methods are disclosed for reducing the production of unwanted odors from the pudendum.

1 . A product for application to the pudendum of a user to reduce fishy odor, the product comprising at least 1% by weight of mandelic acid in a viscous lipophilic carrier having a non-zero yield stress, the product being physically associated with indicia specifying that the product should be applied to the entire pudendum to alleviate odor. 
     
     
         2 . The product of  claim 1 , wherein the product comprises at least 2% by weight or greater mandelic acid, and further comprises about 1 weight percent or greater lactic acid. 
     
     
         3 . The product of  claim 1 , where the product has an elevated yield stress allowing the product to readily adhere to substantially vertical human skin in an applied layer at least 2 millimeters thick without substantially flowing in response to gravitational force. 
     
     
         4 . The product of  claim 1 , wherein the product has a pH of 4.5 or less and comprises from 2% to 30% mandelic acid. 
     
     
         5 . The product of  claim 1 , wherein the container also holds at least one flexible wipe and wherein the product has a pH of about 5 or lower. 
     
     
         6 . The product of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one flexible wipe is pretreated with the product. 
     
     
         7 . The product of  claim 1 , wherein the indicia provide at least one of instructions that the product should be applied to pudendum after the pudendum has come in contact with a nitrogen-rich substance and instructions that the product should be applied to the pudendum after the pudendum has been exposed to a pH-elevating substance. 
     
     
         8 . The product of  claim 7 , wherein the pH-elevating substance is at least one of semen, blood, menses, vaginal discharge, feces, soap and detergent. 
     
     
         9 . The product of  claim 7 , wherein the nitrogen-rich substance is at least one of semen, blood, menses, feces, and vaginal discharge. 
     
     
         10 . A wet wipe product for treating the pudendum of a user comprising a container having one or more flexible porous wipes impregnated with an aqueous solution, the solution having a pH between about 2.8 and 5, the solution comprising from 1% to 30% by weight of mandelic acid, the container further comprising indicia giving directions for use of the wipes on the pudendum. 
     
     
         11 . The wet wipe product of  claim 10 , wherein a substantial portion of the mandelic acid is encapsulated for time release functionality. 
     
     
         12 . A feminine wipe product for reducing the production of unwanted odor from the pudendum, the product comprising an openable enclosure containing at least one wipe pretreated with an acidifying composition,
 the acidifying composition comprising at least 1% by weight of a first alpha-hydroxy acid comprising at least 7 carbons and having a molecular weight in the range of about 135 to about 400, the alpha-hydroxy also acid having no more than one carboxylic acid group for every 7 carbons,   the acidifying composition having a pH of from 3.5 to 4.5 and further comprising at least 50% by weight of a viscous lipophilic carrier.   
     
     
         13 . The product of  claim 12 , wherein the first alpha-hydroxy acid comprises mandelic acid. 
     
     
         14 . The product of  claim 12 , wherein the acidifying composition comprises 2% or more of the first alpha-hydroxy acid and about 0.5% or more of a second alpha-hydroxy acid. 
     
     
         15 . A method for reducing or preventing fishy odor from the pudendum, comprising:
 (a) providing a user with a product comprising an acidifying composition having at least 1% by weight of mandelic acid, said acidifying composition having a pH between 2.8 and 5 in a viscous, lipophilic carrier,   (b) providing directions to the user to apply the acidifying composition to the entire pudendum.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the acidifying composition further comprises at least 1% by weight of a second carboxylic acid component, and wherein the pH of said acidifying composition is between 3.2 and 4.5. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the second carboxylic acid component comprises at least 1% by weight lactic acid. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said acidifying composition has a non-zero yield stress and wherein the directions are adapted to cause said acidifying composition to effectively remain in contact with the human body for a period of at least 10 minutes after applying said acidifying composition according to the directions. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said acidifying composition comprises a lipophilic carrier. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the product and the directions are adapted such that the composition, when applied according to the directions, will be effectively kept in contact with the pudendum for a period of at least 60 minutes, and wherein the pH on the skin in contact with the composition is between about 3.5 and 4.5 during a majority of the at least 60 minutes.