As regular readers of the Beauty Brains know, we recently blogged about Shea Moisture’s Organic Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo and raised the concern that the label seemed to missing a few key ingredients, including preservatives. We were skeptical that the natural extracts contained in the product would provide sufficient protection against microbial growth.
However, after prompting by comments from Sesame, we decided to seek out expert advice on the preservation question. So, we consulted a professional microbiologist who has worked on shampoo and conditioner formulas.
Natural extracts can preserve products
According to our consultant (who admittedly knows much more microbiology than any of the Beauty Brains), these extracts MAY be preserving the product.
“Yes, rosemary extract has been known to posses antimicrobial properties, and antioxidants will act as preservative boosters. However, I am not very familiar with the other two extracts. They are one of a number of “natural” or preservative free options that are getting a great deal of attention. The argan oil, although not in a completely anhydrous formulation, may also assist with creating a synergistic effect. Therefore, it is possible that there may not be any additional preservatives.”
However, her opinion does come with a caveat:
“…while I have not personally tried any of them; I would expect there to be an evident aesthetic impact if used at sufficient enough levels to be efficacious.”
We should also point out that natural extracts may be perfectly adequate for home formulators who are making small batches of product in their kitchens where they have total control over the cleanliness of the equipment. When it comes to large scale manufacturing it becomes much more difficult to ensure product preservation because of the so-called “house bugs” that can grow in the cracks and crevices of manufacturing tanks, pumps, and transfer lines.
The Beauty Brains bottom line
Based on this additional information we have to admit the possibility that this formula is adequately preserved with the ingredient list that has been provided. We are, after all, skeptical scientists not knee jerk natural product nay sayers. While we’re not completely convinced, all it would take is a look at the formula and the results of any microbial challenge testing that was done on the product to know for sure.
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I don’t know if you have realized, but the featured image of this post is about the std plushies.:)
@Sminkkkel: LOL! I didn’t realize that at all! I just thought they were cute little plush bugs. (I’m surprised Sarah Bellum didn’t recognize them…)
Great post Brains! You have always questioned the safety of natural preservatives and I’m glad you have decided to investigate for yourselves. I have been a rep with Miessence certified organics for three years and have used the entire line. I’ve never had a product mold on me. I’ve never had a customer complain of a product going bad. Even those I’ve had around past the expiration dates (6 months or 12 months depending on product). Miessence continuously does microbial challenge testing with third party laboratories and our blend of essential oils does a great job. It took them some time to perfect it, but that was 10 years ago and the formulation is solid. Here’s a link to my site for more information on the testing if anyone is interested in learning about natural preservatives.
http://organicglow.com/about/educating-consumers/proprietary-organic-preservative/
I’m working on a lotion formula and was skeptical of using the Standard Preservatives so I read a post on Julie’s about some shop that sells sample size ingredient and ordered it. After I read this article I asked them if they had rosemary extract and they do. But Before I purchase the rosemary extract …could i just extract it myself from rosemary for more natural ways? Any thoughts?
Isn’t Lonicera extracts a preservative? According to Tony Dweck “A plant preservative that is based on the Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) is available that is described as being a complex mixture of esters of lonicerin and natural phydroxy benzoic acid”. Not so long time ago there was a big debate about lonicera extract being a paraben undercover.
I’ve found a few preservative systems based entirely or partially on these extracts, e.g. CAMPO PLANTSERVATIVE or NataPres.
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