Multiple Preservatives?

[KSL]

Heloo..
i just saw a product with 3 different kinds of preservatives in it.
It was a sbrub and it has Phenoxyethanol, Tetrasodium and Optiphen plus in it.

Any reason why you'd do this? And if you put in more than one preservative - would you max out each or add it up? (ie. max3% of total volume or whatever the manufacturer's recomendation is).

It said Phenoxyethanol was a paraben free preservative used to prevent bacterial growth.... are most anti-bacterials containing paraben?

I guess this is where I should as for recomendations on books and/or websites that are educational for this.

Happy Friday!

 

[soapbuddy]

To the best of my knowledge, Tetrasodium is not a preservative; it's a chelating agent. At times, more than one preservative is needed, according to the ingredients and/or the formula used. If that's the case, you would not use the max amount of each.

 

[KSL]

How does one go about learning what to use for the particular blend of ingredients that are used?

I know there are sites; but is there a really good book out there on making bodycare (not soap) products?

I have my eye on, but would love recommendations.....

 

[soapbuddy]

Jen at lotioncrafter.com has excellent books on the subject.

This was originally from my chemist friend LabRat. You will need to research each preservative to know how it interacts with oils or butters and what temp you can use. Some preservatives are temp sensitive and/or have high PH.

If your formula contains water, you can use:

Cosmocil CQ
Germaben II
Germaben II-E
Germall Plus
Liquid Germall Plus
Uniphen P-23
Phenonip
LiquaPar PE
LiquaPar Optima

If your formula contains only oils, butters and waxes and does not contain water, you don't need a preservative.

If your formula contains only oils, butters and waxes and does not contain water but there is a possibility that the consumer could introduce water into the product, you can use:

Uniphen P-23
Phenonip
LiquaPar PE
LiquaPar Optima
LiquaPar Oil

 

[KSL]

Thanks SoapBuddy!
I have browsed LotionCrafter - I should check out the book selection & add to my library!

I have a bunch of books in my "cart" on amazon already ~ waiting for some bills to get paid before I can scoop them up. :roll:

 

[soapbuddy]

Thanks SoapBuddy!
I have browsed LotionCrafter - I should check out the book selection & add to my library!

I have a bunch of books in my "cart" on amazon already ~ waiting for some bills to get paid before I can scoop them up. :roll:

if you can find them in your library, so much the beter! That way you will know whether or not you want to add a particular book to your own personal library.

 

[IrishLass]

To the best of my knowledge, Tetrasodium is not a preservative; it's a chelating agent.

Yep, it's a chelating agent, but it is also used to boost the efficacy of preservatives in harder-to-preserve formulations.

IrishLass

 

[KSL]

I just reserved three books and am waiting for the call from the library when they are ready at my branch.

I have LOOONG list of books and a very small wallet.. lol

 

[bombus]

Yes, Jen at Lotioncrafters.com is very helpful.

I was using Paraben II as a preservative in a cream that I was making.
After talking to her, I realized that I should be using Phenonip, because
of the large amount of botanical elements I was infusing into both the
oil and water phases. She recommended the book:
"Preservatives for Cosmetics". I realized after our conversation, that
I have a lot to learn!

 

[KSL]

thanks! i'll look up that book!

 

[gcfanca]

I received this e-mail from lotion crafters when I asked about using Liquid Germall in a scrub.


Yes. It is a water soluble preservative and most scrubs are anhydrous and oil soluble mixtures. This preservative would disperse in the oil soluble mixture and presumably be available for activity if water were introduced to the product. Only testing will tell you if it is actually working (which is true of any preservative you choose).

Not sure if it helps anyone.

 

[dagmar88]

If your formula contains only oils, butters and waxes and does not contain water, you don't need a preservative.

Note that you do have to take in count most of your B&B products will eventually end up in a damp bathroom. Even oils and butters have inactive germs in them that will florish with the humidity there.

 

[KSL]

does anyone get thier products tested?
Where would I get a testing kit? Or where would I send stuff to get tested that wont cost an arm and a leg?

 

[soapbuddy]

does anyone get thier products tested?
Where would I get a testing kit? Or where would I send stuff to get tested that wont cost an arm and a leg?

I do. Try Cindy at Sage Script Institute. http://www.sagescript.com/microbiologyservices.htm

 

[KSL]

thanks soapbuddy!
I will look for one in canada, but if I can't find one, that looks to be pretty reasonable.

I suppose the FDA requirements are similar if not the same as Health Canada.

 

[soapbuddy]

thanks soapbuddy!
I will look for one in canada, but if I can't find one, that looks to be pretty reasonable.

I suppose the FDA requirements are similar if not the same as Health Canada.

You're welcome. I believe Health Canada is more stringent in their laws. Here is a link for companies that also do teasting, but I haven't checked all of them to see if any of them are in Canada.
http://www.scconline.org/referrals/testing_labs.shtml

 

[KSL]

Thanks for the link!

Just ran down the list and of course none are in Canada.
We always get the short end of the stick... lol