Natural Preservatives for Herbal Hair Tonic

For your liquid herbal hair tonic, which is water-based and intended for sale, adding a preservative is crucial to prevent microbial growth and ensure product safety and shelf life, even if all ingredients are natural. While your current method of refrigeration works for personal use, selling requires a stable product at room temperature.

Here are some natural or preservative-free options suitable for water-based cosmetic formulations, along with their typical usage rates:

• PaeoniaPreserve™ (Natural Preservative): Derived from peony root. Water-soluble. Usage rate: 0.5-2.0%.
• NaturePreserve™ LB2: Natural origin, broad-spectrum, water-soluble. Effective in pH 2.0-6.5. Usage rate: 0.5-1.0%.
• NaturePreserve™ Ultra (Gluconolactone & Sodium Benzoate): 100% natural, water-soluble powder. Works in pH 3-6. Usage rate: 0.75-2.0% (recommended 1.25%).
• Mild Preserved Eco™ (Preservative-Free): Not classified as a preservative by the FDA, helps prevent spoilage. Water-soluble with blending. Works in pH 4-9. Usage rate: 0.5-2.0%.
• Global Guard™ 221 (Natural): Water-soluble, broad-spectrum, natural. Works in pH 2-7. Usage rate: 0.5-1.1%.
• Coco-Preserve™ (Preservative from Coconut Extract): Natural origin, water-soluble, broad-spectrum. Works in pH 4-8. Usage rate: 0.8-1.5%.
• Preserve-Free BHL™: Not classified as a preservative by the FDA, helps prevent spoilage. Water-soluble with blending. Works in pH 4-9. Usage rate: 1.0-3.0% (recommended 1-2%).
• Mild Preserved SC10™ (Preservative-Free): Not classified as a preservative by the FDA, helps prevent spoilage. Limited water solubility, better in formulas with surfactant/emulsifier. Works in pH up to 12. Usage rate: 0.5-2.0%.
• Mild Preserved CGZ™ (Preservative-Free, Wide-pH Range): Not classified as a preservative by the FDA, helps prevent spoilage. Water-soluble with blending. Works in pH 4-9. Usage rate: 0.5-2.0%.
• Thyme Care™ (natural preservative): Natural, soluble in glycol/alcohol. Works in pH 2-10. Usage rate: 0.8%. Has a noticeable thyme scent.
• Dehydroacetic Acid (Natural Preservative): Natural powder, good against yeast/mold, needs combining with an anti-bacterial agent. Soluble in alcohol. Usage rate: 0.2%.
• Preserve-BSB™: Uses synthetic versions of natural substances, water-soluble. Works in pH 2-5.5. Usage rate: 0.3-1.0%.

When choosing a preservative, consider the pH of your herbal tonic and the solubility of the preservative. Ensure the chosen preservative is compatible with your specific formulation.

Important: Before selling your product, it is highly recommended to perform a Challenge Test. This laboratory test verifies that the preservative system effectively protects your specific formula against microbial contamination over time, ensuring safety for consumers.