Is a preservative necessary?

[squeakycleanuk]

I'm thinking of selling body butters and lip balms, alongside my soaps and bath products. I came to the decision to make these as opposed to lotions and stuff because I had read that they don't need preservatives etc and that appeals to me because my USP is hopefully going to be 'all natural products'. However, some of the discussions on here about preservatives have got me concerned, so I was just hoping that those of you who do sell butters and balms could share your experiences So firstly, do you use preservatives? If so which ones and why? Like I say I'm wanting to create an all natural image, is that impossible with preservatives? If you don't use preservatives but you do still sell them, how long do they last? Have you ever had any problems with contamination? Is it possible / safe to sell butters and balms without a preservative?

 

[AnitaB]

That s a very good question, but I am new to all this soap making stuff. I'm sure that one of the more experienced soapers will come along and answer your question. I will follow along with you on this. Because I'd like to know too.

 

[lsg]

Any time the product is exposed to outside elements there is a big chance of contamination. I use a preservative in body butters, especially if I am selling the product. Users are apt to dip their fingers into the jar instead of using an applicator. I do not use a preservative in lip balms.

 

[AnitaB]

LSG...I'm gonna go out on a limb here and thnkng that there are probably more than one kind of preservatives depending on what you are making.

 

[lsg]

There are several kinds of preservatives, some are used with a water-environment such as shampoo, some are used for anhydrous poducts. I like to use a presevative that will prevent both molds and bacteria. If you check out information on the new preservatives made from "natural" source, many are only effective against bacteria, so you still need another anti-mold preservative.

Here is a link to the Lotioncrafter website on preservatives:

http://www.lotioncrafter.com/lotioncrafter-premium-ingredients-preservatives/

 

[squeakycleanuk]

Thanks, just out of interest though LSG, why do you not use it in lip balms as well, my balms have similar ingredients to the butters so I'm thinking if I use them in butters it should apply to balms too, no? Is it just because of it being used on the lips or is there another reason?

 

[lsg]

I guess because it goes on my lips, it is just my personal preference. I use the roll up tubes for lip balms, so my hands do not touch the balm part, even though my lips do. You would need a preservative that is safe if ingested in small amounts.

 

[squeakycleanuk]

Thanks for the link LSG, I think the 1st thing I need to do is familiarise myself with the different types of preservatives available and weigh up the pros and cons, that way I'll be able to decide if there are any that I'm comfortable with using.

Another thing has occurred to me though. What about Lotion bars? They are somewhere between the two, but used like a butter, so I'm assuming they need preserving too?

Its a shame really because I started this venture with the hope of providing completely simple and natural products for people (like myself) with sensitive skin but the more I get into it the more I realise its just not possible :-?

 

[lsg]

I do not use a preservative with lotion bars, as only the outside is exposed to contamination, unlike a body butter. You can't dip your fingers into the interior of a lotion bar, but you can body butter. The density of the bar would make it hard for contamination to spread throughout the bar. That is my theory, anyway.

 

[pamielynn]

Anything made with water (tea, milk, etc) must have a preservative. Products that may have water introduced to them (body scrubs) should have a preservative. Soaps, no as the water will evaporate and the alkaline environment will not harbor most germs. Lip balms no because of ingestion. Lotion bars, probably not - that would be personal preference.

 

[Miz Jenny]

lsg-thanks for the link to lotioncrafters. I'm going to order a couple lbs of Optiphen from them. Great price & reasonable shipping in US.

 

[Kay]

I have no personal experience here, but what if you put your lotion in a pump bottle? Would you still need a preservative then? You wouldn't be touching the lotion at all then.

 

[Miz Jenny]

If water is an ingredient, preservative is necessary, whether it's a lotion, cream or butter. I use Optiphen because it's paraben & formaldehyde free. It's harder to find but I belive safer.

 

[DeeAnna]

A water-and-oil based lotion really does require a preservative. Without exception. A lotion is a lot like mayo -- water and lots of good things for bacteria and fungi to eat and drink. Yum!

Yes, putting a lotion into a pump bottle is insurance against casual contamination by the buyer. But there are organisms already in the lotion at the time the lotion is made and packaged. A pump bottle does nothing about them!

No matter how clean you work, there will always be some cooties in your lotion, and those organisms can and will grow without a preservative to keep them in check.

 

[squeakycleanuk]

I am not making anything with water in it so I don't think I have to worry about it the same and my products as a result will be thicker so I will not be able to put them in anything other than a tub. However, I went away to look at preservatives only to realise that my safety assessor (I'm in the UK) doesn't list any preservatives on the list of allowable ingredients, therefore if its not on the list I can't use them. They do list vitamin E and rosemary extract so I think I am going to use them as the next best thing (yes I know they are not preservatives but what can you do). I am happy with this because it fits my original intentions and if the assessor believes it to be safe without preservatives then there must be others in the UK doing the same

 

[FGOriold]

Vitamin E and Rosemary extract are not preservatives but antioxidants that can help keep oils from going rancid quickly. They do not prevent mold, bacteria or yeast from growing in your product and should not be used as a preservative. Products that do not contain water, generally would not need a preservative (lip balms, lotion bars, body scrubs) but you also have to think about how the end user will be using them. If water will be introduced into the product as in the case with body scrubs, then I would use a preservative. Each preservative has its advantages and disadvantages and formulated for certain products - some are for water based products, others for mostly oil based products. You also need to know the PH restrictions of the preservative as some are only effective within a certain PH range.