Who Needs Preservatives?
Well, skin care products certainly do! Anything that contains water (ie. creams, gels, lotions) is a paradise for bacteria and molds, and the natural sugars in plant extracts are their favorite snack food. Many natural substances offer some antibacterial benefits. Certain essential oils, like Tea Tree, and some vitamins can help reduce some forms of bacteria when used in high concentrations and in ideal conditions. Unfortunately, your bathroom is not an ideal condition. Steam and heat help encourage bacterial growth and many natural preservatives can't be used in strong enough concentrations to fight contamination without running the risk of skin irritation. Others are useful only against certain strains of contaminants and for limited amounts of time. Here's a good example - vitamin C will slow bacterial growth, but try leaving a glass of orange juice on the counter for a few weeks. Still want to drink it? And while Vitamin E and Rosemary Oleoresin Extract (ROE) work wonders at keeping oils from turning rancid, they don't protect against all forms of bacteria.
Minute amounts of some semi-synthetic preservatives can be used to boost the preservative action of natural ingredients, providing protection against a broad range of bacteria, microbes, yeast and molds. Bacteria can break down ingredients in a product, making it less stable and effective, as well as posing some serious health risks that you as the seller can be liable.
After a great deal of testing, research and development our formulator has developed a stable preservative system. We will only be using a very small amount of Methyl and Propyl Parabens (less than a quarter of one percent) and will also use Jasmine Extract and other natural preservative and antioxidants to help with preserving our bases. We understand that a truly natural broad spectrum preservative is not currently available, but we will keep our ears and eyes peeled for something that is effective as well as continue to research and develop our own system.>
By combining the healing and nutritive benefits of plant extracts and whole food ingredients with the advances of science, we are able to create products that are safe, effective and gentle. In a word, preservatives can guard against impurities and support the healthful actions of nature's finest botanicals and your customers deserve that kind of protection.
Our preservative system that includes several natural ingredients and small amounts of Methyl/Propylparben are used to prolong the shelf life 12 to 24 months or more. Otherwise, the average shelf life using only a natural preservative or antioxidant system of Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid, Lecithin, Usnea barbata (Usnea Lichen) Extract, Azadirachta indica (Neem) Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Salix nigra (Black Willow Bark) Extract, Essential Oils and others can range between 3 to 6+ months if stored properly (Dark, cool, dry place out of direct sunlight, preferably refrigerated and avoid contact with non sterile objects).
