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Preservation Activity of Essential Oils?
Hello,
I recently came across a company who says Tea Tree EO is their only preservative in a foam hand wash. As far as I know, essential oils don’t work as preservatives, but perhaps I’m incorrect in thinking so. Can anyone point me in the right direction on this with studies and such? Thank you!
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4 Replies
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If you Google it you will find plenty of information. Tea Tree oil - and many others too - are effective against bacteria, moulds, and viruses, at their MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration)
Unfortunately there are recent studies that state that EOs are endocrine disruptors. -
@Belassi So you’re saying that TTO can be used as a preservative?
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No. The MICs are calibrated against a particular set of organisms. There is no way of telling if an EO would be an effective preservative against all organisms. Not to mention that they all have distinctive odours.
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MIC is only at best a guideline and does not make TTO effective as a preservative.in fact is not an effective preservative as per USP 51 challenge test.Also stinks as Belassi said.
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