A personal care composition for application to the skin or hair comprising a cosmetically acceptable carrier and zinc X halide precursors wherein the precursors are a zinc ion source, an X source, and a halide source, wherein the halide source can be part of the zinc ion source, the X source, or a halogen acid, wherein the precursors can complex into the zinc X halide when the composition is applied to the skin or hair, wherein X is an amino acid or trimethylglycine. Methods of making and using the compositions are also provided. When the precursors complex into a zinc X halide, the complex can be used to deliver zinc salts to block perspiration and provide antibacterial effects.
