Preservatives in cosmetics are a necessary component to keep water based cosmetics/skn care free from harmful bacteria, yeast and mold.

However, many cosmetics can contain harsh preservatives that are not exactly the healthiest options for our skin – we are looking at you parabens and formaldehyde. Natural preservatives are often a better option for overall health and, although they still come with their pros and cons, they are necessary to ensure you are not exposed to harmful bacteria.

If you are like me and are careful with what you put on your skin, it is important to check the preservatives in the cosmetics you buy and if you are planning on making your own skincare, you’ll want to ensure you are using an appropriate natural preservative.

When making your own skincare containing water you will need to use a broad spectrum preservative, effective against the growth of yeast, mold and bacteria. There are a number of options available for use that I will go through further in the article.

Often the role of antioxidants and preservatives can be confused. Both have an important role to play, but it is important to distinguish the role of these products to ensure you are keeping your skin free from harmful bacteria.

Antioxidants, such as vitamin E and rosemary extract, can be added to oil based skincare products that contain no water to slow down the process of oil oxidation. Preservatives are important ingredients that are added to products that contain water to stop the growth of waterborne mold, yeast and bacteria.

Interested in learning more? In this guide, I will run you through all you need to know about natural preservatives in skincare. Answering questions like what are the best natural preservatives for skincare, natural preservatives for homemade hair products, natural preservatives for shampoo and more! So let’s get into it.

Table of Contents

What Are Natural Preservatives?

Natural preservatives are an important component when making skincare that contains water or water based products like aloe vera and hydrosols.

These products are susceptible to the growth of bacteria, yeast and mold and natural preservatives play the important function of preventing the growth of these waterborne bacteria, yeast and mold.

Broad spectrum preservatives are necessary when creating products with water as they are effective against mold, yeast and bacteria.

Products that contain no water like a massage bar are not prone to the growth of these microbes and therefore do not require preservatives.

Antioxidants, such as vitamin E, can be added to these products to reduce oil oxidation but it is not always necessary. It is important, however, not to introduce any water into these products. For example, don’t use wet hands to apply a massage bar. Otherwise, it may be necessary to add a preservative to such a product.

Do You Need Natural Preservatives In Cosmetics?

Yes, if you are making cosmetics that contain any amount of water then you will need to use a preservative. This includes products like aloe vera and flower waters as these products are just as susceptible to microbial growth.

I will go through a list of natural preservatives you can use further in the article.

If you are concerned about purchasing cosmetics that are natural, the preservatives can look a little intimidating. However, the natural preservatives are necessary in ensuring no microbial growth occurs in the product being purchased.

When Should You Use Natural Preservative For Cosmetics?

You should use a natural preservative any time you are creating cosmetics that contain any amount of water or water based products including hydrosols and aloe vera.

Natural preservatives for homemade lotions, all natural preservatives for cosmetics, natural preservatives for lotion? I have provided a list of the best natural preservatives you can use in all of these skincare products below.

What Are The Best Natural Preservatives For Skin Care Products?

What is considered a natural preservative can be up for some debate – although some of these products are derived naturally, the processes to make them what they are can be deemed by some as unnatural.

These are all certified natural preservatives though. Here is my list of the best broad spectrum natural preservatives for skin care.

Euxyl K 712 (Sodium Benzoate And Potassium Sorbate)

This preservative is a liquid mixture of two organic acids that are commonly seen in food preservation. It is also used in cosmetic preservation that can be used in products that are rinsed off or left on.

The mix of these ingredients provides a broad spectrum of protection that is effective against mould, yeast and bacteria. It is clear and odourless and has a pH range of up to 5.5 which is a good range for use on the skin.

The activity of these preservatives will depend on the pH value of the product it is added to. If the pH is lower, the higher the activity will be – this product is best used at a pH range of below 5.5, around 4-4.5

This preservative can be added to a product during the heating phase. However, exposure to heat for too long above 80 degrees celcius is not recommended.

If you find this product is too hard to obtain, you can purchase sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate individually in pellets or powders. This is what I do. If you follow my natual skincare recipes on this site, I’ll show you how to do this.

This product should not be used with ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) as when sodium benzoate and ascorbic acid combine, it creates benzene which is a known carcinogen.

Click here to buy sodium benzoate on eBay and here for potassium sorbate on eBay.

Preservative Eco (Benzyl Alcohol, Salicylic Acid, Glycerine, Sorbic Acid)

Known as ‘preservative eco’, this natural broad spectrum preservative contains four components that include benzyl alcohol, salicyclic acid, glycerine and sorbic acid.

These compounds are naturally found in plants from willow bark to pine resin and rowan berries. It is free from formaldehyde, isothiazolone and contains no parabens.

It has a slight aroma of almonds. However, once it has been added to a product the smell is no longer present. It is a liquid preservative that is added when a product is in the cooling phase.

This preservative can be used for water based products, water-in-oil products and oil-in-water products and can be used for a large variety of skin and hair products.

Click here to buy preservative eco.

GeoGard 221 (Benzyl Alcohol And Dehydroacetic Acid)

Geogard 221 is a broad spectrum and multi-use preservative system that contains a blend of alcohol and organic acid. This preservative is water soluble and can be added at room temperature and elevated temperatures.

Geogard 221 is a clear, yellow to orange liquid that has a light almond aroma. It has a large pH range from 2-6 and it is most effective at a pH of below 5.5.

Both of these compounds are organic and offer a product that is free from parabens, formaldehydes and isothiazolone.

The typical use that is recommended for this product is a level of 0.2-1%.

Geogard Ultra (Gluconolactone And Sodium Benzoate)

Geogard ultra is a coarse white powder that is odourless and is comprised of gluconolactone and sodium benzoate. It offers a broad spectrum antimicrobial activity product that is compatible for use with a large range of formulations for the skin and hair.

This particular preservative also offers the added benefit of being moisturising for the skin. Typically the combination of only two organic acids is not enough to provide a wide range of protection. However, the unique mix of these two organic acids gives it an effective broad spectrum.

There are some downsides to this particular preservative, however. Geogard ultra can cause the pH of your products to reduce, so it is important to test your skincare regularly enough to ensure the pH is at an appropriate level.

This product should also not be used in combination with ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) as sodium benzoate can combine with it to create a compound known as benzene which is a known carcinogen.

Dermasoft 1388 (Aqua, Glycerin, Sodium Levulinate and Sodium Anisate)

Dermasoft 1388 is a preservative that is fairly new to the natural preservative world. It is a combination of the above ingredients that provide a convenient mix of organic plant derived acids that will provide you with a broad spectrum of activity.

The effectiveness of dermasoft 1388 is largely dependent on the pH it is used at and it will provide the best antimicrobial activity at a pH range of 4-5.5.

It is added during the cooling down stage of products as it does not tolerate extended periods of heat exposure. It can be added to surfactant based products and emulsions and has a very light non distinctive aroma.

The usage range is usually around 2-4%, and it is strongly recommend to use it with 0.3-0.5% of glyceryl caprylate to increase its effectiveness.

How To Pick Your Natural Preservatives For Water Based Products

When choosing a broad spectrum natural preservative for water based products, the decision is up to you. However, there are a number of things to think about when picking your broad spectrum natural preservative to ensure you are getting the best for your needs.

Is it water or oil soluble?
Does it have a smell ?
Is it compatible with the formulation you are creating – for example an emulsion?
It is liquid, powder or pellets? Do you have a preference?
What range of pH does it offer and will it cover your necessary pH level?
How much does it cost and is it easy to obtain?
Are there any ingredients it is not compatible with?
Does it need to be combined with another preservative to boost its effectiveness?

Always follow the manufacturers instructions when using these products as too little or too much could both be hazardous.

Final Words

I hope you have enjoyed this guide on what are natural preservatives and have found it useful and interesting. Whether you have been looking for natural preservatives for soap, natural preservatives for body scrubs, lotions or emulsions I hope you have found the answers you need.

Natural preservatives are an important part in skincare containing water and although they can at first seem intimidating, once more is understood, these products are helpful at protecting our skin from harmful microbes.

Want to learn more? Click here to learn all about carrier oils in skincare and here for emollients. You can also find all my guides to natural living here and DIY skincare recipes (with preservatives!) here.