The invention relates to the use of monophasic zinc hydroxycarbonate as antimicrobial agent in personal care products, particularly in such products which also contain a surfactant such as a soap or a synthetic detergent. The invention also relates to a process for making the zinc hydroxycarbonate, whereby a solution of a soluble zinc salt and a solution of alkalimetal carbonate are fed simultaneously into a precipitation vessel to form a precipitate of monophasic zinc hydroxycarbonate.
