Robust Preservative Combos?

Tagged: preservative-blend, preservatives

Formulating

Robust Preservative Combos?

Posted by sciencebae92 on August 25, 2022 at 1:01 pm

Good morning everyone,

I hope you are all safe and doing well. I want to express my gratitude to this forum and the professionals that are so gracious in sharing their knowledge. It truly means a lot to people like me who are still learning. I humbly ask for opinions on preservative combinations. I’ve been observing preservatives used in bigger brands’ products as I’d like a more robust preservative system for the products that I create for myself and my family. With proper GMP (I DIY in my husband’s lab), low to medium risk packaging, chelation, and less than 5% botanical extracts in mind, I would love to get you guys’ opinion on the following preservative systems:

1. Euxyl 703 (Phenoxyethanol (and) Benzoic Acid (and) Dehydroacetic Acid) (I apologize as I’ve forgotten which company & product I saw this in combo in, which led me to buy this.)

2. Euxyl PE 9010 (Phenoxyethanol (and) Ethylhexylglycerin) + Sodium Benzoate (I saw this combo in J&J’s baby shampoo)

Question regarding #2: What would be an appropriate percentage of sodium benzoate to use? Would I use COSING’s max limits?

Rinse-off: 2.5%

Leave-on: 0.5%

Despite educating my family on the safety of parabens and f-donors, they still ask for me to not use them. I tried :’-( As always, thank you for you time, thoughts, and inputs.

PhilGeis replied 2 years, 2 months ago 3 Members · 8 Replies
- preservative-blend
- preservatives
8 Replies

PhilGeis

Member
August 25, 2022 at 5:10 pm

As you said - chelator. Would add EDTA to those options.
pH might drive greater levels of benzoate in nonsurfactant products but think the max are too much.
sciencebae92

Member
August 25, 2022 at 5:17 pm

PhilGeis said:

As you said - chelator. Would add EDTA to those options.
pH might drive greater levels of benzoate in nonsurfactant products.

Hi @PhilGeis

Thanks again for your input! What is the best way to incorporate the Sodium Benzoate? I have the solid form from lotioncrafters. Thanks in advance.
PhilGeis

Member
August 25, 2022 at 5:56 pm

It’s water soluble.
sciencebae92

Member
August 25, 2022 at 7:56 pm

PhilGeis said:

It’s water soluble.

Ok, great. Thank you so much.
fethtahir

Member
August 28, 2022 at 8:38 am

PhilGeis said:

As you said - chelator. Would add EDTA to those options.
pH might drive greater levels of benzoate in nonsurfactant products but think the max are too much.

Phil, I used Phenoxhyetanol + Ehyhexylglycerin on my preservative system, yest I do add 0.4% of sodium benzoat on emulsion product, I do also use this preservative system on my water base product like toner. I have problem on using sodium benzoat on one of my formula because I use Vit E and C. what preservative is the best to boost the work of Phenoxhyetanol+ethyhexylglycerin?
fethtahir

Member
August 28, 2022 at 8:48 am

fethtahir said:

PhilGeis said:

As you said - chelator. Would add EDTA to those options.
pH might drive greater levels of benzoate in nonsurfactant products but think the max are too much.

Phil, I used Phenoxhyetanol + Ehyhexylglycerin on my preservative system, yest I do add 0.4% of sodium benzoat on emulsion product, I do also use this preservative system on my water base product like toner. I have problem on using sodium benzoat on one of my formula because I use Vit E and C. what preservative is the best to boost the work of Phenoxhyetanol+ethyhexylglycerin?

the pH of the product is 4.4-4.9
sciencebae92

Member
September 4, 2022 at 4:44 pm

fethtahir said:

PhilGeis said:

As you said - chelator. Would add EDTA to those options.
pH might drive greater levels of benzoate in nonsurfactant products but think the max are too much.

Phil, I used Phenoxhyetanol + Ehyhexylglycerin on my preservative system, yest I do add 0.4% of sodium benzoat on emulsion product, I do also use this preservative system on my water base product like toner. I have problem on using sodium benzoat on one of my formula because I use Vit E and C. what preservative is the best to boost the work of Phenoxhyetanol+ethyhexylglycerin?

I’ve seen a combination of Phenoxyethanol + Ethylhexylglycerin used with Potassium Sorbate in commercial ingredients as well, but unsure of the percentage used. Maybe you can explore that as well.
PhilGeis

Member
September 5, 2022 at 2:59 pm

I’d not have a concern for benzoate and vitamin c - even in low pH soft drinks - https://www.fda.gov/food/chemical-contaminants-food/questions-and-answers-occurrence-benzene-soft-drinks-and-other-beverages#q6

Not familiar with vitamin E-benzoate concerns - can you elaborate?

Be aware, sorbate carries issues of stability.