There is provided an antimicrobial composition of low toxicity having enhanced gram positive and gram negative activity and consists essentially of:(a) an alkyl-N-sulfobetaine (0.1 part-40.0 parts, by weight),(b) an alkyl-N,N-dimethylamine oxide, an alkyl-N,N-dihydroxyethylamine oxide, or an acylamido t-amine oxide (0.1 part-40.0 parts, by weight), and(c) a protonating agent, such as hydrochloric acid, acetic acid, in an amount sufficient to adjust the pH of the overall composition to about 5.5 or below.The composition exhibits skin degerming, cleansing, and deodorizing properties and, particularly, its use exhibits long term inhibition of body odor.