Comments on: How to Prevent Contamination in Cosmetic Products http://chemistscorner.com/how-to-prevent-contamination-in-cosmetic-products/ Cosmetic science resource site where you can learn all about cosmetic chemistry Mon, 21 May 2012 15:01:57 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Why are there preservatives in cosmetics http://chemistscorner.com/how-to-prevent-contamination-in-cosmetic-products/#comment-7016 Why are there preservatives in cosmetics Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:39:37 +0000 http://chemistscorner.com/?p=101#comment-7016 [...] all the fear mongering that goes on about cosmetic preservatives, it is no wonder consumers and some cosmetic manufacturers wonder why they can’t make [...] [...] all the fear mongering that goes on about cosmetic preservatives, it is no wonder consumers and some cosmetic manufacturers wonder why they can’t make [...]

]]> By: Why do you need multiple preservatives in your cosmetic formula http://chemistscorner.com/how-to-prevent-contamination-in-cosmetic-products/#comment-6532 Why do you need multiple preservatives in your cosmetic formula Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:05:51 +0000 http://chemistscorner.com/?p=101#comment-6532 [...] Cosmetic formulas have all the key factors needed for microbial growth including water, nutrients, and energy.  At a suitable pH and temperature, it will be like a microbial cocktail party.  Preservatives stop growth by killing cells and spores (usually by disrupting cell membranes) or by making the system hostile to growth.  See this article for more about cosmetic preservatives. [...] [...] Cosmetic formulas have all the key factors needed for microbial growth including water, nutrients, and energy.  At a suitable pH and temperature, it will be like a microbial cocktail party.  Preservatives stop growth by killing cells and spores (usually by disrupting cell membranes) or by making the system hostile to growth.  See this article for more about cosmetic preservatives. [...]

]]> By: Christine http://chemistscorner.com/how-to-prevent-contamination-in-cosmetic-products/#comment-5415 Christine Fri, 18 Nov 2011 05:46:13 +0000 http://chemistscorner.com/?p=101#comment-5415 Hi Perry. Concerning preservatives, can you give a list of the popular types of preservatives that the 'all natural' community do use? I am trying to appeal to that market, and I am aware that they have to turn to some synthetics etc but unsure of which ones. Thanks in advance Hi Perry. Concerning preservatives, can you give a list of the popular types of preservatives that the ‘all natural’ community do use? I am trying to appeal to that market, and I am aware that they have to turn to some synthetics etc but unsure of which ones. Thanks in advance

]]> By: Ruby http://chemistscorner.com/how-to-prevent-contamination-in-cosmetic-products/#comment-4970 Ruby Sat, 05 Nov 2011 15:15:07 +0000 http://chemistscorner.com/?p=101#comment-4970 Can anyone recommend a vegetarian microbial test kit that can be used to test for contamination? Thanks. Can anyone recommend a vegetarian microbial test kit that can be used to test for contamination? Thanks.

]]> By: Perry http://chemistscorner.com/how-to-prevent-contamination-in-cosmetic-products/#comment-4640 Perry Thu, 27 Oct 2011 14:31:48 +0000 http://chemistscorner.com/?p=101#comment-4640 Hello Liliana - Very good questions. The primary considerations in picking a preservative are (in no particular order)... 1. Effectiveness 2. Formula compatibility 3. Price 4. Marketing story Of these, price is probably the smallest factor as the preservative usually doesn't add much to the overall cost of the formula. It would matter if the price got too high however. It sounds like your preservatives would have some niche application because color and odor effects are a problem. In my opinion, the current preservatives work and have no real problems associated with them. Indeed there is a push from some areas of the market to have "all natural" preservatives but for cost and compatibility reasons I doubt the market for alternative preservatives will ever get too large. Hello Liliana – Very good questions.

The primary considerations in picking a preservative are (in no particular order)…
1. Effectiveness
2. Formula compatibility
3. Price
4. Marketing story

Of these, price is probably the smallest factor as the preservative usually doesn’t add much to the overall cost of the formula. It would matter if the price got too high however. It sounds like your preservatives would have some niche application because color and odor effects are a problem. In my opinion, the current preservatives work and have no real problems associated with them. Indeed there is a push from some areas of the market to have “all natural” preservatives but for cost and compatibility reasons I doubt the market for alternative preservatives will ever get too large.

]]> By: Liliana http://chemistscorner.com/how-to-prevent-contamination-in-cosmetic-products/#comment-4638 Liliana Thu, 27 Oct 2011 13:31:08 +0000 http://chemistscorner.com/?p=101#comment-4638 Thank you for the exciting topic and useful information! More than anyone I'm interested in understanding how do you, chemists, decide which preservative system fits your needs and how much of it you need to use. Our company has long experience with natural preservatives in the food industry (we have a patent on rosemary preservative for foodstuffs). Based on this know-how, we developped cosmetic preservatives from rosemary, olive leaves, pomegranate and even onion extract. All challenge tests (US Pharmacopoeia) show excellent anti-microbial activity. The main problem is price. Phenoxyethanol for example costs <4$/kg (which is around 8$/pound) and the prices of our products are higher. How much should a 100% natural preservative cost? The dosage we recommend is 0,25 - 0,5%. Also, some of these preservatives have a color (for ex. pomegranate is reddish), is this a nogo? Thank you very much for your help :) Liliana Thank you for the exciting topic and useful information!
More than anyone I’m interested in understanding how do you, chemists, decide which preservative system fits your needs and how much of it you need to use. Our company has long experience with natural preservatives in the food industry (we have a patent on rosemary preservative for foodstuffs). Based on this know-how, we developped cosmetic preservatives from rosemary, olive leaves, pomegranate and even onion extract. All challenge tests (US Pharmacopoeia) show excellent anti-microbial activity. The main problem is price. Phenoxyethanol for example costs <4$/kg (which is around 8$/pound) and the prices of our products are higher. How much should a 100% natural preservative cost? The dosage we recommend is 0,25 – 0,5%. Also, some of these preservatives have a color (for ex. pomegranate is reddish), is this a nogo?

Thank you very much for your help :)
Liliana

]]> By: LaNita Darden http://chemistscorner.com/how-to-prevent-contamination-in-cosmetic-products/#comment-2859 LaNita Darden Thu, 26 May 2011 16:01:59 +0000 http://chemistscorner.com/?p=101#comment-2859 Yes, I would like recommendations on this also. Yes, I would like recommendations on this also.

]]> By: ratna http://chemistscorner.com/how-to-prevent-contamination-in-cosmetic-products/#comment-2840 ratna Tue, 24 May 2011 20:43:48 +0000 http://chemistscorner.com/?p=101#comment-2840 what are the process to avoid the contamination during manufacturing of cosmetic products!!!!? what are the process to avoid the contamination during manufacturing of cosmetic products!!!!?

]]> By: LaNita Darden http://chemistscorner.com/how-to-prevent-contamination-in-cosmetic-products/#comment-2716 LaNita Darden Tue, 03 May 2011 18:31:18 +0000 http://chemistscorner.com/?p=101#comment-2716 Naturagard Ultra™ which is Gluconolactone (and) Sodium Benzoate. What can you tell me of this? It is considered an ECOCERT certified preservative. Will this do the job for amore natural preservative? Naturagard Ultra™ which is Gluconolactone (and) Sodium Benzoate. What can you tell me of this? It is considered an ECOCERT certified preservative. Will this do the job for amore natural preservative?

]]> By: Perry http://chemistscorner.com/how-to-prevent-contamination-in-cosmetic-products/#comment-2284 Perry Tue, 11 Jan 2011 01:23:20 +0000 http://chemistscorner.com/?p=101#comment-2284 @Prajakta, Oil soluble preservatives inhibit growth of microbes at the interface of the oil and water. @Prajakta,

Oil soluble preservatives inhibit growth of microbes at the interface of the oil and water.

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