Sherri supplicates…
If there were a self-preserving skin care line, would you use it?
And the Left Brain Loquates…
This is an excellent question and one that is likely on the minds of a fair number of consumers of cosmetics. The ideal answer is YES, we`d much prefer using a self-preserving skin care line. Unfortunately, there are currently no reliable self-preserving skin care or hair care products. Based on the best data available today, we could never recommend using a cosmetic that does not contain some kind of preservative.
Cosmetic chemists don’t like preservatives
When it comes right down to it, we cosmetic chemists do not like to put preservatives in their products. They provide no functional benefit, they can interfere with the ingredients that make the product work and some of them are really nasty chemicals when used at high levels. They are harsh chemicals because they kill cells. Microbes are made of cells but so are we. Therefore, it is not surprising that some of the preservatives used at high levels are irritating to human cells while they kill the invading microbial ones.
We need preservatives
But preservatives are a necessary evil. While we don’t love the preservative options available, the notion of not using any preservative is even more objectionable. Look at this list of microbes and diseases they can cause.
Streptococcus pyogen - Allergic reactions (pus)
Clostidium tetani - Tetanus
Clostidium perfringens- Gangrene
Pseudomonas aeruginosa -Conjunctivitis, pus, infections
Trichophyton - Dermatomycosis
Aspergillus- Allergic reactions
What would you rather have, a slight skin irritation or Gangrene? Seems like a simple choice.
Why self-preserving isn’t safe
Microbes are hearty organisms and they will grow in almost any environment that contains water. So-called self preserved cosmetics are just not as safe as formulas that contain preservatives. They just don’t work as well. There are various formulation techniques used to make a preservative-free cosmetics but they all have their drawbacks. For example, one way is to reduce the pH to such a low level that microorganisms can`t survive. Well, that might work while the container is closed but once it`s opened and exposed to moisture, the potential for microbial growth is created. With no preservative the nasty critters will keep growing and contaminate the entire product. Yuk!!
Other techniques for creating self-preserved cosmetics such as using natural preservatives, aroma chemicals and antioxidants are only effective against a limited number of microbes. For example they might kill off the Aspergillus but have no effect on the Pseudomonas aeruginosa. You can be sure you won’t have an allergic reaction but you might get conjunctivitis (pink eye).
Beauty Brains Bottom Line
Preservatives provide a great benefit to society and have directly led to the significant 
increase in human longevity. If you want to be safe, you should only use cosmetics that are properly preserved.
Using self-preserved skin products is like drinking non-pasteurized milk. It’s ok for a little while but even if you keep it refrigerated, it will eventually spoil. Would you drink spoiled, contaminated milk? So why would you ever want to put it on your skin?
Loading ...
thebeautybrains.com » Wait! Bacteria can stop your stink Says:
[...] Sure, there are lots of negative things associated with microbes, but we’re happy to report that they’re not all bad. While you’ve probably heard of probiotics, you probably haven’t heard about these organisms. Researchers are reporting here that they’ve isolated a bacterium that can actually remove foul odors linked to bad breath and stinky feet. [...]
Arlen Costaine Says:
I have seen loose face powder products with and without a chemical as a preservative. Can preservation be done without a chemical with petrochemicals in it?
Using the natural herbal, extract, and other coating ingredients?
thanks
Sofia Says:
Here are my 2 cents on the subject, although they may only be worth a penny:
A lot of the so-called “natural preservatives” are no more natural than Parabens. For instance, take Grapefruit Seed Extract which is marketed as a “natural preservative”
In order to create the Grapefruit Seed Extract the manufacturers take leftover grapefruit pulp (a waste product from grapefruit juice production) and in an intensive, multi-step industrial chemical process change the natural phenolic compounds into synthetic quaternary ammonium compounds. Synthetic ammonium chloride is one of the chemical catalysts used in this process.
So if you are going to call Grapefruit Seed Extract a “natural preservative” then by the same reasoning you can call Sodium Lauryl Sulfate: Coconut Oil Extract or by that logic you can call the dreaded and evil Parabens “Wild Berry Extract” on account of the fact that Parabens are derived from benzoic acid which they get from wild berries.
thebeautybrains Says:
Good point Sofia. Unless you are making your own cosmetics directly from things you find in nature, you are going to have to chemically modify them to get them to work. Truly natural products are rarely found.
Amanda Smith Says:
i am developing a line of organic all natural beauty products and this website is so helpful. i am already a cosmetologist but i have no idea what ingredients work better with others or the shelf life of organic all natural products. i am hoping i can find all of my answers on this site.
thebeautybrains Says:
Amanda, not sure if you’ll find exactly the information you want but we do write about ingredients often. Keep checking. We’ll even look into this notion of organic natural ingredients and what works and what doesn’t.
Judie Says:
I just stumbled upon your site and want to THANK YOU for speaking the truth about preservatives. There is too much misinformation out there scaring the public. We are constantly having to defend our use of preservatives in our products. However, when we explain why we use them (at very small levels) most people agree that they’re necessary. And quite frankly, they’re relieved to know the truth. We believe, as manufacturers, we’re responsible for making products that are safe to use. Thanks for helping to clear up this issue.
Julie Dennis Says:
Hi
I am pleased to say that I sell a
SELF PRESERVING PARABEN FREE SKIN CARE LINE with a two year shelf life at room temperature!
I do education for the company as well and we actually have the technology patented. I sell to physician offices,med spas,spas,and at wholesale.
The prices that you see on my web site are retail.
I have not read the rules of this site so I hope I am not violating any by posting my web site.
All The Best,
Julie
The Beauty Brains » Blog Archive » 7 Reasons There Aren’t More Preservative Free Cosmetics Says:
[...] People wonder why compounds with potential safety issues like formaldehyde or parabens are used. Should they use self-preserving cosmetics? They also ask why cosmetic companies don’t get rid of [...]