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Preservative charge for conditioner
Hi i am working on a conditioner using behentrimonium methosulfate, the client uses a approved preservative which is: aqua, sodium levulinate, potassium sorbate.
When i add it in it clearly thins down the conditioner assume due to sodium levulinate being anionic but seems to hold together ok.
Do i need to worry about long term stability? Or should it be ok?
Thankyou
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7 Replies
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You need to worry about the consumer / that is a garbage preservative system.
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As Dr Geis mentions, Eye of newt, toe of frog and wool of bat do not a product preserve.
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This reply was modified 3 weeks ago by Graillotion.
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BTW….just for context….that Phil Geis guy…. just might be this guy: 😂
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If you are willing to dedicate an hour of your life to further education. You might find this video of Perry interviewing the incredible Dr Geis, of interest:
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This reply was modified 3 weeks ago by
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That’s a normal reaction with BTMS and that preservative combo. As long as the emulsion isn’t breaking, it’s likely fine, but I’d suggest a short stability test just to double-check long-term performance.
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You’re right — <strong data-start=”31″ data-end=”70″>sodium levulinate is mildly anionic, so it can partially neutralize the <strong data-start=”107″ data-end=”124″>cationic BTMS and thin the emulsion. If it stays stable (no separation, pH around 4.5–5.5), it’s usually fine short term, but <strong data-start=”237″ data-end=”278″>long-term stability could be affected. Do a few <strong data-start=”289″ data-end=”320″>accelerated stability tests (heat, freeze–thaw, time) to be sure before finalizing the formula.
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Please - this is a garbage preservative system as is - even without the formula incompatibility and likely pH problem (most conditioners pH < 5). Depending on your water system quality , you may have trouble making it clean, but be assured consumers will contaminate.
I’ll add - whatever preservative system you use, you’re responsible for the life of the product and that means more than a “few” or “short-term” stability tests.
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