Making Cream with Fresh Tomato and Aloe Vera: Concentration and Preservation
Asked by: pongnarin_2014
On: June 18, 2014
Product Type:
Cosmetics
Question
I would like to make a cream using fresh ingredients. I have a cream base and want to add fresh tomato (or fresh tomato juice) and fresh aloe vera.
I have a few questions:
- Can I use fresh tomato/tomato juice and fresh aloe vera in a cream base?
- Do I need to add preservatives to the cream?
- If I add preservatives, will they be harmful to the user?
Answer
Subject: Regarding your question about making tomato and aloe vera cream
Hello,
Thank you for your question about making a cream with tomato and aloe vera, or tomato with a cream base.
Regarding your questions:
Using fresh ingredients (tomato/aloe vera) and fresh tomato juice:
- It is possible to use fresh ingredients or fresh juice, but please be aware that the concentration of beneficial active compounds (like lycopene in tomato) will be very low compared to using concentrated extracts available commercially.
- To obtain a concentrated extract, a large amount of raw plant material is typically needed to yield a small amount of the extracted compound.
- If you use fresh ingredients, ensuring extreme cleanliness during the entire process is crucial.
Do you need to add preservatives?
- Yes, absolutely. When using fresh plant materials, water, or water-based ingredients in a formulation, preservatives are essential.
- Fresh plant material and water provide an ideal environment for bacteria, mold, and yeast to grow rapidly. This microbial growth can spoil your product and, more importantly, can be harmful to your skin and health.
Are preservatives dangerous?
- Cosmetic preservatives are designed and tested to be safe for topical use when used at the recommended concentrations.
- The potential danger is significantly higher from using a product contaminated with harmful microorganisms (due to lack of preservation) than from using approved preservatives correctly. Preservatives protect the user from microbial contamination.
In summary, while you can experiment with fresh ingredients, be mindful of the low concentration of active compounds and the critical need for proper preservation and hygiene to ensure the safety and stability of your homemade cream.