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Fragrance oils? Are there preservatives in them?
Are there or were there actually preservatives in FRAGRANCE oils before the pthalate and paraben scares?
I am NOT opposed to, or afraid of, preservatives.
What is their function in a fragrance oil? I thought there would NOT be ingredients in a F.O.that would be of ‘interest’ to microbes…..but, what do I know?
I read that pthalates ALSO acted as a fixative when they were used. Could OTHER preservatives also have such a multi-function action in F.O.?
I’ve contacted New Directions Aromatics with my question, and I was directed to an MSDS page, which is something I had already looked at, but I cannot identify any preservatives if they were in the list, since I am not a chemist.
I’m just wondering if the phthalate-free and paraben-free statements are for label appeal, like ‘gluten-free’ potato chips (sigh).
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5 Replies
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phthalates are not preservatives: they are used as solvents (e.g. in fragrances) and plasticisers for polymers, and can act as fixatives in fragrancesdimethyl and diethyl phthalate are odourless and harmless, but the longer-chain analogues (dibutyl, diethylhexyl etc.) are known teratogens, and within Europe they are banned from a number of products including cosmetics and toys - many Chinese-made toys are taken off the market or turned back at the border every week due to their phthalate content -
There are typically not any antimicrobial preservatives in fragrances because fragrances are made up of oils & have no water component which is required for microbial growth.
Phthalates are not preservatives. They are used as fixatives in fragrance.
Yes, paraben-free and phthalate free are just label copy. You wouldn’t put a paraben in a fragrance oil.
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Aha!!! Thanks for the explanation, you have cleared up my confusion.
You are fine humans.
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No, just antioxidants. BHA/BHT most likely.
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Here is what New Directions Aromatics says on their web-site about their Fragrance Oils. Thus my asking about parabens & phthalates in F.O.s and it’s what caused me to wonder why there are (or ever were) preservatives in FOs. It did not make sense to me….
I’m going to start putting “Plutonium-free!” on my soaps. ?
Our Fragrance Oils are specifically formulated for both skin and hair care formulations, and many are suitable for soaps and candles. The scents are extremely rich, complex, and long-lasting. Fragrance Oils are synthetically compounded, and should not be confused with the 100% natural Essential Oils used in Aromatherapy. Please note that all our Fragrance Oils are paraben-free and phthalate-free which makes them safer for you and the environment, but may give a slightly milder throw in soaps and candles.
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