Home Cosmetic Science Talk Formulating Phenoxyethanol and sodium benzoate incompatibility

  • Phenoxyethanol and sodium benzoate incompatibility

    Posted by Abdullah on May 1, 2021 at 5:32 am

    After some research I decided to use phenoxyethanol and sodium benzoate as preservative for my Shampoo and lotion.

    Is these any incompatibility or reduction of efficacy of these two preservatives with any of following ingredients.

    SLES
    CAPB
    Alkyl polyglycoside
    HPMC
    HEC
    Xanthan gum
    Polyglyceryl 6 distearate

    Abdullah replied 3 years ago 2 Members · 7 Replies
  • 7 Replies
  • Abdullah

    Member
    May 2, 2021 at 12:54 am

    @Pharma @PhilGeis any comments on this.

    Lotioncrafter says: Benzoic acid is inactivated by non-ionic surfactant.

    Makingcosmetics says: Phenoxyethanol should not be used in formulas containing HE-cellulose or non-ionic surfactants. 

    One another website said phenoxyethanol is deactivated by highly ethoxylated surfactants. Does this include SLES or ALES?

    Thanks in advance

  • PhilGeis

    Member
    May 2, 2021 at 1:44 am

    I’d run an AET to see.

  • Abdullah

    Member
    May 3, 2021 at 12:34 am

    @PhilGeis sure but if there is any known incompatibility it is better to know and change that i ingredient or preservation system. 

  • PhilGeis

    Member
    May 3, 2021 at 10:38 am

    There is potential.  Think you’re referring to info in Steinberg’s book.  Dave’s info is excellent and does report there is potential. compromise.

  • Abdullah

    Member
    May 4, 2021 at 1:11 am

    @PhilGeis im am referring to information in makingcosmetics website about phenoxyethanol and sodium benzoate incompatibilities. 

    can you tell me the book name or the info? 

    I already decided to replace HPMC with guar gum because of it’s incompatibility with phenoxyethanol in shampoo to stabilize pearlizer EGDS. 

  • PhilGeis

    Member
    May 4, 2021 at 11:17 am

    Their info prob came from Dave Steinberg’s book - Preservatives for Cosmetics.  This is a very good book.  https://www.amazon.com/Preservatives-Cosmetics-David-C-Steinberg/dp/193263312X/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=steinberg+preservatives&qid=1620126997&sr=8-4

  • Abdullah

    Member
    May 6, 2021 at 12:22 am

    @PhilGeis thanks

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