Fragrance for Lip Balm and Mouthwash

For products used in the mouth, such as lip balm and mouthwash, it is recommended to use Flavors. Flavors are specifically formulated and tested for safety when ingested or used orally.

Essential Oils and ready-made Perfumes are generally not suitable for lip balm or mouthwash. Essential Oils are primarily for aromatherapy or topical use, and many are not safe for ingestion. Perfumes are designed for topical application and should not be used in oral products.

Examples of suitable Flavors include those with food-related names like Dewberry Fruits, Strawberry, Guava, Fresh Melon, Chocolate Devil Food Cake, or Fat Milk. Examples of fragrances generally not suitable for oral use include floral scents like Rose Petal, Neroli Fragrance Oil, Flower Market, or complex perfumes like Poeme (compare to Lancome), or essential oils like Sweet Basil Oil, Niaouli Oil (Leaf), Holy Basil Oil, Aprifloren, or Apritone.

Preservatives for Mouthwash

Regarding preservatives for mouthwash:

• Mild Preserved Eco™: This ingredient is often used in cosmetic formulations, including oil-based products like lipstick and lip balm, and can be dissolved in water. While its use in lip products suggests potential suitability for oral contact, its safety and efficacy specifically for mouthwash formulations should be confirmed. It is not classified as a preservative by the FDA but functions as one.
• Eye Preserved™ (Polyhexamethylene Biguanide, PHMB): This preservative is primarily developed for contact lens solutions and products used around the eyes or for sensitive skin. Its description does not indicate suitability for oral use, and it has known incompatibilities with common anionic ingredients, which may affect formulation stability. Therefore, it is generally not suitable for mouthwash.

Always perform a challenge test to confirm the efficacy and suitability of any preservative in your specific mouthwash formulation before production and distribution.