Sandy Valdez's List: CosmeticMaking

Pictures of fresh herbs and information to identify them.

Preservatives

Usage Guide to Cosmetic Preservatives &
Anti-oxidants




PROPERTIES OF PRESERVATIVES



PRESERVATIVE
ACTIVITY
SOLUBLE
IN
pH
LIMITS

COMMENTS



Potassium Sorbate
K sorbate


Yeast/Fungi

Water

Use at pH 5.5 or
less


potential irritant if
used over .6% .
Odorless/colorless.



Methylparaben


Yeast/Fungi

Hot water

OK at all pHs


De-activated by some PEG compounds.
Polysorbate OK. Low irritancy. Odorless/colorless.


Optiphen

Yeast/Fungi/Molds/Bacteria

water

OK at all pHs

None



Phenonip**


Yeast/Fungi
Bacteria


Oils preferred;


OK to .5% in H2O; use glycerin to get Phenonip
into water bases more easily.


OK at all pH
s

De-activated by some PEG compounds.
Polysorbate OK. Low irritancy. Odorless/colorless.



Rosemary
Oil Extract (ROE)


anti-oxidant prevents rancidity
only

Oil soluble only; will NOT prevent
bacteria, yeast, fungi from growing

no pH limit

may shift color of oil toward yellow.
Slightly herbaceous odor.



**Phenonip contains Phenoxyethanol and parabens as active
ingredients.



USAGE GUIDELINES FOR PRESERVATIVES




PRESERVATIVE
LOTION

BAR SOAP
(LYE-BASED)

LIQUID
SOAP

CLAYS &
MASQUES



Potassium Sorbate
k sorbate


.1%


Not required


in acidic
syndet only


.1%



Methylparaben


.05 to .2%


Not required


.1 to .2%


.1 to .2%



Phenonip


.1 to .4%


Not required


.1 to .5%


.1 to .5%



Rosemary Oil
Extract (ROE)


.05 to .1% of oils


.05 to .1% of oils


.05 to .1% of oils


.05 to .1% of oils



Citric
Acid


.05 to .1%


.05 to .1%


.05 to .1%


.05 to .1%


PRESERVATIVE
MISTS

OILS/SALVES/BALMS

BATH
BOMBS/MELTS

BATH
SALTS



Potassium Sorbate
k sorbate


.1%,
acidic only


not required


not required


not required



Methylparaben


.1 to .2%


not required


not required