• Formulating

  Toner pH 3.6 - preservative choice

  Posted by ost85 on January 28, 2025 at 1:36 pm

  Hello all,

  I would like to use Verstatil® TBG MB (Triethyl Citrate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Benzoic Acid) solubilised to preserve a toner with a pH of 3.6. The paperwork says this preservative is for pH 4-6. My guess is that the benzoic acid become too much in a free state in low pH and can become too irritanting or precipitate.

  However, then looking at a different manufacturer- SENSICARE C 2090 (Triethyl Citrate, Caprylyl Glycol, Benzoic Acid) their TDS says “the product is stable throughout a broad range of pH (from 2 to 12) .”

  These are clearly different ingredients, but both have benzoic acid. So I wonder why sensicare is stable at as low as 2pH.

  I cannot get Sensicare, and I can only get Verstatile. Is there anything I missed, because at the moment I think as long as the acid doesn’t precipitate I should be fine using it at 3.6. My other concern then is the irritation potential.

  I would greatly appreciate any advice on Verstatil (Triethyl Citrate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Benzoic Acid) in 3.6 pH.

  Thank you.

  • This discussion was modified 1 day, 21 hours ago by  ost85. Reason: formatting

  ost85 replied 7 hours, 19 minutes ago 2 Members · 4 Replies
• 4 Replies

• 

  PhilGeis

  Member

  January 29, 2025 at 8:28 am

  Neither is that great - Verastatil the the weakest - its pH range is prob driven by concerns for pH driven hydrolysis of its fairly-useless ester.

  the 2-12 is absolute BS and should eliminate your consideration of that supplier.

  • This reply was modified 1 day, 3 hours ago by  PhilGeis.
  • 

    ost85

    Member

    January 29, 2025 at 1:52 pm

    Thanks, that wide pH range did seem very suspicious.

    The other two I have are:

    1. sodium benzoate + potassium sorbate, which I like generally, but they too seem not ideal for 3.6pH.

    2. phenoxyethanol + ethylhexylglycerin which is my fallback option.

    Do you have any suggestions for any others I should consider?

• 

  PhilGeis

  Member

  January 29, 2025 at 2:05 pm

  I know some have found sorbic/benzoate good but it’s generally weak vs Gram negatives. Phenoxy+ is good v Gram negatives but weak vs Gram + and fungi. Ypu best off with a combination of the 2 - esp. benzoate and phenoxy+

  • 

    ost85

    Member

    January 30, 2025 at 4:14 am

    Thank you, much appreciated.

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