Home Cosmetic Science Talk Formulating Robust Preservative Combos?

  • 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 1 year, 6 months ago 3 Members · 8 Replies
  • 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.

Log in to reply.