The invention provides a zinc-lysine complex having the formula [Zn(C6H14N2O2)2Cl]+Cl− having antibacterial and antiperspirant properties, together with personal care compositions comprising the complex, and methods of making and using these complexes and compositions. The application discloses a general reaction for formation of such complexes by mixing a Zn source with Lysine in 1:2 ratio: ZnO+2(Lysine ′HCI)->；[Zn(Lysine)2CI]+CI−.(H2O)2
