"If my skincare is 'natural', why does it have a preservative present in the formulation?"
"Aren't preservatives 'dangerous'?"
Truth is, there is a yes and no answer to this question. Improper use of preservatives can actually be very dangerous. However, preservation is very necessary if you are putting a product out in the market or purchasing one.
WHY ARE PRESERVATIVES NECESSARY?
Once the formulator complies with Good Manufacturing Practice, uses the preservative as instructed by the manufacturer from which they bought it and does microbial and stability testing; the use of preservatives in cosmetics is safer for the consumer than preservative free formulations. Bacteria, mold and yeast can accumulate rapidly, especially in natural cosmetics and they may not always be visible; preservatives are also used to extend the shelf life of a product. Therefore, adequate preservation lessens the risk of contamination of your products.
RISKS OF USING UNPRESERVED COSMETICS
There are many risks associated with using unpreserved products, some of these include:
Staph infection
Skin sensitivity and irritation
Blisters on the skin
Blindness
Death (in extreme cases)
WHEN TO USE A PRESERVATIVE?
It is best to use preservatives when the formulation has water or water-like ingredients included. Also, when your formulation may come in to contact with water. These include body scrubs, and facial polishes. It is not necessary to use a preservative when the cosmetic is oil based and is not coming in to contact with water; e.g body butters, body and lip balms, face and body oils etc.
IN CONCLUSION
A proper preservative system is necessary to ensure the safety of consumers and to extend the shelf life of the product. Fortunately, there are natural and naturally derived preservatives on the market that work effectively, without the "toxins" that are usually associated with synthetic preservation systems. We at Essenza dell'amore can testify to such, because we use natural preservatives in our formulations when needed.
I hope this blog changed your view on preservatives and gave you a better appreciation for them. There is no need to be afraid of the presence of them in your natural/organic cosmetics, they're only there to help!