Preservatives-Keeping our cosmetics safe & fresh

Preservatives are not only necessary to stabilize our food supply; they play a crucial role in keeping our cosmetics safe.

Are there different types of cosmetic preservation?
Much like keeping foods fresh and safe, cosmetic manufacturers also implement physical and chemical preservation techniques. This includes optimizing packaging, processes, and ingredients, so the end product meets all safety requirements.
Why do we need preservatives in cosmetics?
Our skin is the largest organ of our body. It acts as a protective barrier to the elements and helps control thermal regulation, infection, and much more. Our skin reacts and can adapt to the environment around us, and this includes the cosmetic products we use on our skin.

Skin also has an optimal pH level between 4-6.5. A pH level refers to the acidity or alkalinity of an environment. Knowing the pH level is essential because many microorganisms (e.g., bacteria, fungi, yeasts) cannot live in an environment with a pH level below 4 or above 10 but thrive in a pH environment similar to our skin.

While we can design products on the extreme ends of the pH scale to prevent microorganism growth, the products would likely irritate or damage our skin. Therefore, we rely on preservatives to create an inhospitable environment for microorganisms while maintaining an optimal pH level for our skin health.

Microorganisms grow readily in water, and most cosmetic products contain water as the largest or one of the largest ingredients. Additionally, the nutrients, vitamins, and many of the active ingredients in cosmetics can make excellent microorganism food. Thus, providing a prime environment to fuel their growth.

What are common cosmetic preservatives?
Aldehydes, such as formaldehyde, DMDM hydantoin, imadozolidinyl urea, diazolidinyl urea: safeguard against bacteria and some fungi
Glycol ethers, such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol: safeguard against some bacteria
Isothiazolinones, such as methylisothiazolinone: safeguard against bacteria and fungi
Methylisothiazolinone, Bronopol, IPBC, PHMB....