Are preservatives needed for dry clays and fruit powders

JessicaRobynJessicaRobyn Member
in Skin

I'm working on a basic natural formulation for a dry clay face cleanser.  If I use a dry clay, salt and some fruit powders would it need a preservative?  For example:

Rhassoul clay

Alaea red clay and salt blend or fine Himalayan salt

Rose petal powder

Thanks.

Jessica

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Comments

  • BelassiBelassi Member
    Not if it remains anhydrous.
    Cosmetic Brand Creation. Concept to name to IMPI search to logo and brand registration. In-house graphic design inc. Pantone specs. Cosmetic label and box design & graphics.
  • BobzchemistBobzchemist Member, PCF student
    "Need" is a relative term.

    Do you need a preservative, as in "Is my product at all likely to get contaminated under the majority of conditions it will come in contact with?" 

    Or, do you need a preservative, as in "Am I likely to get sued if my product gets contaminated in an unusual situation?"

    Or lastly, do you need a preservative, as in "Am I likely to get in trouble if the regulatory agency in my country finds out that my product got contaminated in an unusual situation?"
    Robert Zonis, Sr. Formulation Chemist, Beaumont Products "All opinions and comments expressed are my own, have no relation to Beaumont Products, are fully copyrighted, and may not be used without written permission."
  • PerryPerry Administrator, Professional Chemist
    What @Bobzchemist said.

    I'm of the opinion that since there is no real downside to including a preservative (except preventing your company from using fear marketing) they should be included in most any formula.
    Learn to formulate cosmetics
  • JessicaRobynJessicaRobyn Member

    Thank you everyone, that's really helpful.  I guess I need to take into account that the product would be in the bathroom so could possibly get contaminated with water.  Does that give me preservation issues given that the clay will absorb the preservative?  Would salt be an appropriate preservative for the ingredients below or would I need to consider something else?

    Clay

    Alaea red clay and salt blend or fine Himalayan salt

    Rosehip seed powder

    Pomegranate powder

    Thanks.

    Jessica

  • MarkBroussardMarkBroussard Member, Professional Chemist
    Your best bet would be to include some sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate ... both are available as powders.
    Chemist/Microbiologist formulating in the Organic & Naturals arena under ECOCert/Natural Products Assn/Whole Foods/National Organic Program guidelines focused skincare & haircare products. 

    See website for details www.desertinbloomcosmeticslab.com
  • JessicaRobynJessicaRobyn Member
    Thanks @MarkBroussard, I'll give that a go.
  • ashishashish Member
    Must need preservative as mentioned ingredients are mostly natural and we don't know about anti-microbial treatment has been done it by supplier or not. Generally, natural clay contains loads of microbes which should treated primarily by suppliers and then by us. Without water its not possible to apply such kind of products for which product needs to be protected.
  • billichemistbillichemist Member
    What if you preserve the water that the dry clay would be mixed in. would that be sufficient?
  • MakingSkincareMakingSkincare Member, Professional formulator
    Clay (in water) is one of the hardest ingredients to preserve.  

    There's a preservative strategy and reviews here which should help walk you through the process: http://www.makingskincare.com/preservatives

    Good luck
    Jane Barber
    www.makingskincare.com
    www.learncosmeticformulation.com (free online course)
    Formulation discussion forum (18,000 members): www.facebook.com/groups/makingskincare/
  • DIYveganDIYvegan Member
    I'm new here so I first wanted to thank everyone for taking the time to provide such useful information. I'm really thankful to have found this website as being new to making these products, the chemistry is the part that is just over my head a bit, and googling only gets me so far, so I appreciate the expertise. 

    I had a question I was hoping someone could expand on with dry clay masks.

    I see I do not need a preservative if it remains anhydrous. Does adding essential oils make them no longer anydrous and will then require preservatives?

    I'm planning on leaving mine in clay/powdered form for a variety of reasons but would like to use some EO for scent purposes.

    It will be different clays with other powders such as hibiscus powder, aloe vera *powder*, rosehip botanical extract powder, mango powder, etc...everything would be in dry form except for the EO and then it would be mixed with water in a separate bowl when using. 

    Thanks again for the help.
  • DeryaDerya Member
    I think you would have a better chance of your question being answered if you asked your question by starting a new discussion under formulations.
  • MarkBroussardMarkBroussard Member, Professional Chemist
    @DIYvegan:

    No need for a preservative if it's a mix of dry powders, clays and essential oils. Anhydrous means "without water" ... So adding oils (oils are anhydrous) will not create an environment for microbial growth.
    Chemist/Microbiologist formulating in the Organic & Naturals arena under ECOCert/Natural Products Assn/Whole Foods/National Organic Program guidelines focused skincare & haircare products. 

    See website for details www.desertinbloomcosmeticslab.com
  • theoracletheoracle Member
    I know this is an old discussion but I'm hoping y'all are still answering! 
    As to the last question, how does the product remain a powder after you add the essential oils? Do you reheat it or shortlyso to dry the clay back out?
  • DASDAS Member
    @theoracle there are powder fragrances.
  • theoracletheoracle Member
    DAS said:
    @theoracle there are powder fragrances.
    Powdered essential oils? Where might you find such a thing bc a Google search turned up nada.
  • mahoganismokemahoganismoke Member
    theoracle said:
    DAS said:
    @theoracle there are powder fragrances.
    Powdered essential oils? Where might you find such a thing bc a Google search turned up nada.
    That's a really good question. I have never heard of a powdered EO...
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