Preservative for Shea Whip Butter ?

Formulating

Preservative for Shea Whip Butter ?

Posted by prow18 on April 1, 2024 at 3:34 pm

I’m looking to make an oil based shea whip butter formula and am looking for some direction on preservatives. Currently I’ve been looking at phenoxyethanol. Would this be a good choice? Would tocopherol or Rosemary Oleoresin be something to add in addition to Phenoxyethanol or would they be redundant?

Thanks!

PhilGeis replied 3 weeks, 4 days ago 3 Members · 8 Replies
8 Replies

Graillotion

Member
April 1, 2024 at 8:20 pm
Aloha…

First… ROE and Vit E….are not preservatives AT ALL (that is just mommy blogger lore that has refused to die….decade after decade). Sometimes as antioxidants, they are said to ‘preserve’ oils….or keep them from going rancid. So, you have to watch the lingo in cosmetics. Secondly….they would not be redundant with phenoxy…since they do not do anything in common with the latter. However…they might be redundant with each other…. albeit I use both…in all formulas that contain natural oils.

A little hard to answer your question….without knowing….is there ANY water at all in your product?

If you can clarify that….you can get better answers. 🌴
- This reply was modified 1 month ago by Graillotion.
prow18

Member
April 2, 2024 at 7:12 am

@Graillotion

You are correct, I over-applied the term “preservative”. I understand ROE/Tocopherol will only help slow rancidity, I just wasn’t sure if Phenoxy did the same.

It’s an oil formula, no water.

Any suggestions on % for ROE/Tocopherol?
- Graillotion
  
  Member
  April 2, 2024 at 3:24 pm
  
  .1% will be quite a plenty, on the ROE or E. Don’t get caught up in internet lore….or E will do the opposite of what you want…as level rise.
  
  If you are making for yourself…and keeping it away from any splash-in water…or high humidity bathrooms… microbial preservation would be optional. If you are consider selling…. Always remember….customers are utterly filthy….and NEVER follow directions. Hence, keep that in mind…as well as how good your insurance is. If you add a preservative….you might be putting yourself on an island. Just depends on your customer target. We are assuming no added bug-food.
PhilGeis

Member
April 2, 2024 at 9:22 am

Anhydrous oil, why do you need an antimicrobial preservative?
- prow18
  
  Member
  April 2, 2024 at 10:15 am
  
  So not necessary?
  - PhilGeis
    
    Member
    April 2, 2024 at 12:59 pm
    
    No water? Nothing in ingredients? Does it take up water in a humid bathroom?
    - prow18
      
      Member
      April 3, 2024 at 3:23 pm
      
      Shea butter
      
      Apricot oil
      
      Arrowroot powder
      
      Fragrance
      - PhilGeis
        
        Member
        April 6, 2024 at 5:55 am
        
        If no water - as in none added and none in ingredients - doubt you need a preservative. You still need to test for content - numbers of microbes.