SCIENTISTS at Queen's University, Belfast have got skincare experts in a bit of a lather with claims they have developed a perfume that smells better the more the wearer sweats.
It may seem a bizarre contradiction, but researchers at Queen's Ionic Liquid Laboratories (QUILL) have come up with a world-first by creating a scent which actually smells better the more a person perspires.
Instead of drowning out the smell, the unique "perfume delivery system" ensures that moist, sweaty skin enhances the efficacy of the perfume - so, against the natural order of things, the more you 'glow', the more fragrant your body odour becomes.
Project leader Dr Nimal Gunaratne, who has been working on the project for nearly three years, admitted yesterday it was an "unusual" application of the research team's
"This is a really exciting breakthrough and we have been really encouraged by a high level of interest shown already by people in the personal care industry," he said.
"We believe there is huge commercial potential for manufacturers of perfumes and cosmetic creams. Our perfume delivery system could also be used effectively in air fresheners. The possibilities are endless and we are really excited for the future."
As well as the highly competitive skincare and toiletries industries, Dr Gunaratne also indicated the discovery could have considerable impact in the medical field as the specialised 'release' mechanism could be used in the development of 'slow release' drugs in the future.
The innovative system, he explained, was created by tagging a raw fragrance onto an ionic liquid (salt in the form of liquid) which has no smell.
"The 'perfumed ionic liquid' releases its aroma when it comes into contact with water, allowing more of the perfume's scent to be released onto a person's skin," Dr Gunaratne said.
"In addition, the perfume system also has the ability to remove the bad odours that come from sweat. The 'thiol' compounds that are responsible for the malodour of sweat are attracted to the ionic liquid, attaching themselves to it and losing their potency."
Fellow researchers in the project were Professor Ken Seddon and Dr Peter Nockemann, who, along with Dr Gunaratne, are currently working with a perfume development company to identify a number of product ideas.
"I can't say anything more at the moment, but we hope these products could eventually be sold in shops," Dr Gunaratne added. "The medical application would be quite difficult, but I believe it could be done further down the line.
"In the meantime, we are very excited about helping people smell better."