WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PRESERVATIVES IN COSMETIC PRODUCTS

Did you know that preservatives in cosmetics are essential for consumer health and safety? Although the trend is towards natural cosmetics and formulas, it is important not to be fooled by this new fashion. Indeed, preservatives are part of the formulation of cosmetics for a very specific reason: to protect us.

 

Bacteria in my products?

 

In most products, there are plant extracts that contain microorganisms. These feed on the water in the formula and the ingredients it contains and will then proliferate. But what are these microorganisms? These are bacteria, fungi and mold, which can cause skin and respiratory infections, and in much more serious cases, can lead to death, hence the importance of having products with formulas containing a good preservative system.

 

Cosmetics are not sterile, but practices exist to prevent contamination. The order for a new product often comes from the marketing department. The latter then indicates to the cosmetic chemist the market demand. It is then up to the formulator to develop the formula by selecting the right ingredients that will be found inside the product. The product will also be developed based on its use and storage. For example, a sunscreen left in direct sunlight, or a face cream placed in a bathroom, a relatively humid place, conducive to the proliferation of bacteria. In this case, the formulator will opt for a broad-spectrum preservative system, therefore capable of controlling mold, fungi and bacteria.

 

The making of cosmetics

Several standards come into play in the development of a cosmetic product, starting with the regular disinfection of the factory where it is designed. Nothing is left to chance, and everything is checked, the equipment, the raw materials as well as the quality of the water and the air, all in order to limit as much as possible the bacterial proliferation in cosmetic products.

 

Obviously, once developed, the product ends up in the hands of the consumer who must respect its use and storage. While you may not have complete control over what your clients will do, it is your job as a skin care professional to give them some recommendations for use. But have no fear, formulators take this constraint into consideration and add the right preservatives to the product to avoid any problem linked to improper use of the product.

 

Towards organic cosmetics?

 

The organic and natural trend has been in full swing in recent years. Organic products in the cosmetic world are growing in popularity. The more organic formulas are desired, the more the extracts will contain microorganisms. Without preservatives, these formulas could have a huge bacterial growth inside the product. Don’t be afraid when you see many kinds of preservatives on the INCI! If you use many different preservatives, the percentage of each is very low, thus greatly reducing the risk of intolerance and skin irritation. The goal therefore remains to have the lowest level of preservatives in a formula, while ensuring that it is as safe as possible, thus reducing skin intolerances and irritations.

 

 

For people with very sensitive and reactive skin, it is not recommended to use organic products. Not because organic products are bad, but rather because to have the organic certification, certain ingredients, such as synthetic ingredients, are prohibited. A synthetic ingredient was developed in a laboratory and cannot contain elements that have been extracted from petrochemicals. The possibilities are therefore limited since there are not many preservatives that are certified organic.

 

As the preservatives found in organic products are used in very high percentages in the preparation of the formulas, the risk of developing skin intolerance is therefore much higher. It is therefore because of its lower percentage of preservatives that customers with more sensitive and reactive skin will be redirected to more traditional cosmetics.

 

A word of advice; beware of “homemade” cosmetics that do not contain preservatives. They can be dangerous for your health and that of your clients.

 

In summary: Preservatives in cosmetics save lives!

For more information, you can watch our video on the subject: https://youtu.be/sI5jVjCDjbY