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Optimizing Formula Preservation

To ensure that a consumer-ready product is safe, an appropriate preservation strategy must be established for the development, manufacture and packaging of the formula, thus eliminating unacceptable levels of organisms such as pathogenic bacteria, fungi and mold that could grow and pose a health hazard to the consumer.

Parabens: Myth and Reality

This review offers an in-depth look at one of the most controversial scientific studies of recent years and explores the relevance of the results of this study and other selected studies to the current layman’s perception of the safety of parabens.

SCANCOS Defends Paraben Safety, Addresses Nanoparticles

The Scandinavian Society of Cosmetic Chemists (SCANCOS) defended the safety of parabens and addressed the safety of nanoparticles at its Sustainable Cosmetics Conference, held Nov. 5-6, 2009 in Malmö, Sweden.

Comparatively Speaking: Antimicrobial vs. Preservative vs. Antibiotic

Industry expert Anthony J. O'Lenick Jr. investigates the difference between an antimicrobial agent, a preservative and an antibiotic.

Sterile Packaging Created for Formulation without Preservatives

Promens for Avène Dermatological Laboratories has created a packaging that allows for preservation without the use of preservatives in the cosmetic formula.

Paraben-free Preservation

Inolex Chemical Company has introduced a paraben-free preservative for personal care products that provides broad spectrum coverage at a neutral pH.

Blueberries in a bowl

Flower, Berry-inspired Broad Spectrum Preservation

ISP has designed a nature-inspired, broad spectrum preservative for natural products. This ingredient is positioned as being one step closer to an all-natural preservative option.

Preservation of "Atypical" Cosmetic Product Systems

The authors examine the facts that determine how to preserve and/or assess susceptibility/risk probabilities for cosmetic product systems that are "atypical" because they contain little or no water.

Frequency of use of Preservatives 2001

From data collected in the FDA's Voluntary Registration of Cosmetics Formulations program, the author reports on the preservative most frequently used in cosmetics sold in the United States in 2001 and 1996.

Preserving Skin Care Products Containing Avobenzone

Methylisothiazolinone offers one approach for preserving skin care products containing avobenzone. The introduction of the MI 9.5 preservative alternative that is non-formaldehyde derived.

CTFA Preservative Challenge and Stability Testing Survey

CTFA conducted a survey in 1999 to determine the consistency of the industry's procedures for preservative and stability testing used by the cosmetic industry.

The Safety Factor in Preservative Efficacy Testing

The authors explain how preservative efficacy testing is done to determine whether a formula is adequately preserved. Product contamination problems are frequently caused by inadequate preservation.

Natural Preservatives

Traditional methods of preservation, such as those used in the food industry and some available from natural plants, suggest a natural preservative system whose components are already available to the formulator.

Natural Preservation Based on Ayurveda

La’Ayur is a broad spectrum preservation system effective against gram-positive, gram-negative, molds and fungi. It also provides antioxidant, perfume, fixative and skin rejuvenation benefits.

Frequency of Use of Preservatives 2003

The importance of participating in the FDA’s Voluntary Registration of Cosmetics Formulations program is reviewed, and that program’s data on the frequency of use of preservatives is presented.

Makeup Powders Preservation and Water Activity

Spores of Bacillus subtilis and selected molds were used to demonstrate the impact of different thermodynamic water activities on the behavior of microorganisms inoculated in makeup powders with or without preservatives.

New Alternatives to Paraben-Based Preservative Blends

Adding diazolidinyl urea to a blend of organic acids (i.e., sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate) extends this sample blend’s applicable pH range up to a pH level of 7, provides protection from discoloration, and offers an alternative to parabenbased preservative blends.

Natural Preservation Through Cinnamon and Curry

Curry leaves are said to possess antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Meanwhile, cinnamon leaves are known to strengthen the immune system against diseases caused by fungi, viruses and bacteria.