Preservatives

Natural Antimicrobial to Protect Your Lotion

You do not need to add a preservative if you use fresh skincare right after it's made.

However, if you consider storing your product for more than a day or 2, there is no doubt about it; you need to use a preservative.

Antimicrobials help protect your DIY formulas from microorganisms like bacteria and fungi that can contaminate your product.

When using an antimicrobial, you must consider a broad spectrum and work on all contaminants that can present themselves, including bacteria and fungi.

Below is a list of different preservatives and the manufacturers that produce them.

Even though it's not an exhaustive list, it does show many options when choosing a natural antimicrobial over a synthetic preservative.

Using Antimicrobials in Skin, Hair, and Personal Care Products

Antimicrobials help protect your DIY formulas from microorganisms like bacteria and fungi that can contaminate your product.

When using an antimicrobial, you must consider a broad spectrum and work on all contaminants that can present themselves, including bacteria and fungi.

Below is a list of different preservatives and the manufacturers that produce them.

Even though it's not an exhaustive list, it does show many options when choosing a natural antimicrobial over a synthetic preservative.

Do keep in mind that not all antimicrobials are broad-spectrum. For example, while some are only effective on bacteria, others are only effective on fungi. So, you must diligently research to see what will work best for your products.

Finding a Natural Alternative to Synthetic Preservatives

At Skin Perfection, we offer Leucidal® Liquid or Radish Root. It is a mild, broad-spectrum antimicrobial that can protect your custom formulations from microorganisms.

For water-based products, use a broad spectrum like Leucidal® Complete. For Oil-based cosmetics, use Leucidal® Liquid or Max.

For beginning formulators, Radish Root, Complete, SF Complete, and SF Max are recommended at a 4% concentration. It is easily added to your formulation at room temperature. 

For an all-natural broad-spectrum antimicrobial that protects against mold and fungi, our Leucidal® Complete is for you!

If you are an experienced lotion maker and know how the antimicrobial will perform with your custom formula, it is recommended that you use a 2-4% level of Leucidal® Liquid or Complete. 

Typically, you will extend the shelf life of your product for up to 12 months. But it is your responsibility to test the shelf-life. If you plan on placing your custom formula on the market, we recommend every recipe undergo cosmetic challenge testing.

How to Add Leucidal® Liquid to Your Product:

During the cooling phase or at the end of formulation, Add a 4% concentration of the Radish Root Ferment. For best results, use cold-pressed or incorporate when the formula is below 158 degrees Fahrenheit.

How to add Leucidal® Complete:

Follow the exact instructions as the Radish Root Ferment. Leucidal® Complete can be hazy. Make sure to add it when the formula is below 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Incorporate a handheld mixer into your formulations until they are transparent.

What are the differences In Leucidal Products?

Leucidal® Liquid provides mild broad-spectrum antimicrobial protection and is produced by fermenting the radish root in Leuconostoc kimchi. It does not offer fungal protection. Radish Root is the original product that started the natural antimicrobial revolution.

Leucidal® Complete provides broad-spectrum antimicrobial protection against mold, yeast, and fungus in one product. It combines fermented radish root, fermented Lactobacillus, and coconut (Cocos Nucifera).

Leucidal® SF Max: probiotic-based protection created by fermenting Lactobacillus. Lactobacillus provides strong broad-spectrum protection and is part of the lactic acid bacteria. It works by acidifying the environment, which restricts the growth of microorganisms. However, it does not provide fungal protection.

Leucidal® SF Complete: salicylic-free probiotic-based protection created by fermenting Lactobacillus and Coconut. Lactobacillus provides strong broad-spectrum protection and is part of the lactic acid bacteria.

What Leucidal® Product Should I use?

For water-based formulas, use Leucidal® Complete.
If you are making an oil-based formula, use the Leucidal® Liquid Radish Root Ferment.
Any formulation needing strong broad-spectrum antimicrobial protection from Lactobacillus uses Leucidal® SF Max. For fungal protection, use gluconolactone.

Tips for Successful Preservation of Products

1. Make sure your area and all supplies are clean and sanitized.
2. Check compatibility. Will your ingredients work together, or are they potentially incompatible?
3. Temperature and PH. Natural antimicrobials should be used at room temperature for easy incorporation.
4. Is your formula stable? If your product is unstable, it will likely not pass a challenge test.
5. Avoid contamination. Make sure that utensils used during the preservation process are clean.
6. Package in airless bottles. Protect your formula from environmental contaminants with airless bottles.

Benefits of Natural Antimicrobials

• Consumers like to have natural ingredients in products.
• Allow for natural and organic labeling.
• Have moisturizing properties
• Mild and broad-spectrum versions are available.

Video on How to use a Natural Antimicrobial System

Video Transcription:

This video will show you how to preserve an anti-aging serum naturally with an antimicrobial called Leucidal® Liquid or Radish Root. This will help your homemade serums last longer and stay fresher.

At Skin Perfection, we offer Leucidal® Liquid in a half-ounce size. We also carry it in a larger 4-ounce or 16-ounce size. This way, if you only make a serum once every two to three months, you have the smaller size option.

When you begin making larger batches, giving them away as gifts, or starting your line, you will want to purchase a larger size.

I have a one-ounce anti-aging serum here, and we need to add the Leucidal® Liquid at a 4% concentration. We highly suggest using the 4% concentration if you are a beginner, but expert formulators can use a lower concentration.

However, they still need to be very cautious as Radish Root is a mild antimicrobial.

If you want to make a water-based product, we highly recommend using Leucidal® Complete, which will provide broad-spectrum protection against yeast, fungi, and mold.

A 4% concentration added to a 1-ounce product would be approximately 19 drops. Then, blend your mixture until well mixed, usually about two minutes.

Silver Dihydrogen Citrate

Silver is an antimicrobial preservative that is easy to incorporate into your skincare and cosmetic formulas. It is a bio-available preservative—a stable form of ionic silver. The citrate is fruit-based and is from citrus.

Formaldehyde Free + Paraben Free + Gluten Free

The 5 Most Common Preservatives Used in Skincare

• Parabens - germ all, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben. Typical use levels are .1 to .3 %. Nevertheless, consumers see parabens as dangerous. They have been known to cause skin sensitivities or reactions in individuals who are sensitive to chemicals.
• Formaldehyde releasers - Germall plus, DMDM hydantoin, Imadozolidinyl Urea.
• Isothiazolinones are broad-spectrum and non-carcinogenic but can be irritating to some individuals.
• Phenoxyethanol - Optiphen is the most common name brand. It is considered a mild preservative and non-irritating and is often used with Sodium Benzoate or Potassium Sorbate for broad-spectrum protection.
• Organic Acids - Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Anisic Acid. They are considered more natural than traditional preservatives. Must use high levels of and in a product with a PH of 2 - 6.

List of Different Antimicrobials and Preservatives (synthetic and natural)

• 1,3-Dioxane
• 1,2 Hexanediol
• 2-Bromo-2-Nitro-1,3 Diol
• AMTcide
• Benzalkonium Chloride
• Benzethonium Chloride
• Benzyl Alcohol
• Butylparaben
• Caprylyl Glycol
• Chlorhexidine Acetate
• Chlorphenesin
• Chloroxylenol
• Climbazole
• Cosgaurd
• Dehydroacetic Acid
• Diazolidinyl Urea
• Dichlorobenzyl Alcohol
• DMDM Hydantoin
• Ethylhexyglycerin
• Ethylparaben
• Formic Acid
• Geogard 221
• Glutaral
• Gluconate
• Grapefruit Seed Extract
• Hexamidine Isethionate
• Hinokitol
• Idopropynyl Butylcarbamate
• Imidazolidinyl Urea
• Isobutylparaben
• Isopropylparaben
• Lactobacillus
• Lactoperoxidase
• Leucidal® Liquid
• Leucidal® Complete
• Leucidal® SF Complete
• Leucidal® Liquid SF Max
• Liquid Germall
• Methylisothiazolinone
• Methylchloroisothiazolinone
• Methyldibromo Glutaronitrile
• Methylparaben
• Optiphen
• Optiphen Plus
• Pentylene Glycol
• Phenethyl Alcohol
• Phenxyisopropanol
• Phytocide
• Piroctone Olamine
• Polaminopropyl Biguanide
• Polymethoxy Bicyclic Oxazolidine
• Potassium Sorbate
• Propylparaben
• Quaternium-15
• Quaternium-73
• Silver Chloride
• Silver Dihydrogen Citrate
• Sodium Benzoate
• Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate
• Sorbic Acid
• Thimerosal
• Tinosan
• Triclocarban
• Triclosan
• Urea

Major Cosmetic Preservative Suppliers

• Active Micro-Tech.
• Acme
• BASF
• Biophil Italia SPA
• Carlise International Corp.
• Dow Chemical Company
• Evonik
• Guangzhou DX Chemical Co. LTD
• Indo Gulf Company
• Induchem
• Lonza
• Kinetic Technologies
• Marco
• Mason Chemical Co.
• Merck
• MMP Inc.
• Premier Specialties, Inc.
• Rita Corp.
• Solabia Group
• Stepan Company
• The Hilson
• The Hall Star Company
• Variation Sri
• Vevy Europe Spa

Alternative Preservatives for Lotion Making

Using effective preservatives is crucial when formulating skincare products to ensure product safety and prevent microbial growth. While synthetic preservatives are commonly used in commercial skincare products, several natural and non-synthetic preservatives are available. However, most of these natural ingredients should not be used alone to preserve skincare products. They often need an additional preservative to protect a formula fully.

When formulating skincare products, stability and microbial testing are essential to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the chosen preservatives. A challenge test ensures that the preservative will fully protect your formula.

Here are some of the best non-synthetic preservatives for making skincare:

1. Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE): Grapefruit seed extract is derived from grapefruits' seeds, pulp, and white membranes. It has antimicrobial properties and can inhibit the growth of bacteria, fungi, and some viruses. GSE is often used as a broad-spectrum preservative in skincare products.

2. Rosemary Extract: Rosemary extract is a natural antioxidant that helps prevent the oxidation and spoilage of oils and fats in skincare formulations. It has antimicrobial properties and can extend the shelf life of products. Rosemary extract can be used in combination with other preservatives for enhanced effectiveness.

3. Vitamin E: Vitamin E, or tocopherol, is a potent antioxidant that can help extend the shelf life of skincare products by inhibiting oxidation. While it may not have strong antimicrobial properties on its own, it can enhance the efficacy of other preservatives.

4. Tea Tree Oil: Tea tree oil is a natural essential oil with strong antimicrobial properties. It can help prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi in skincare products. However, tea tree oil should be used in small concentrations as it can cause skin irritation in high amounts.

5. Neem Extract: Neem extract is derived from the neem tree and has antimicrobial and insecticidal properties. It can help inhibit the growth of bacteria, fungi, and insects in skincare formulations. Neem extract is often used in natural and Ayurvedic skincare products.

6. Radish Root Ferment Filtrate: Radish root ferment filtrate is a natural preservative derived from fermented radish roots. It has antimicrobial properties and is effective against bacteria, yeast, and mold. It is a popular choice in natural skincare products due to its broad-spectrum preservative capabilities.

It's important to note that while these natural preservatives offer some antimicrobial properties, they may not provide the same level of efficacy or broad-spectrum protection as synthetic preservatives. When formulating skincare products, it's essential to conduct stability and microbial testing to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the chosen preservatives. Proper hygiene, manufacturing practices, and storage conditions also play a crucial role in product safety and longevity.