Preservatives for Herbal Extracts and Cosmetic Formulations

Subject: Preservatives for Herbal Extracts and Cosmetics

Hello,

Thank you for your questions regarding preservatives for herbal extracts and cosmetic formulations. The staff's questions about the pH of your formula and the nature of your herbal extract are very important, as these factors significantly influence preservative selection and efficacy.

Here are some recommendations based on your requirements:

1. Preservative for Herbal Extracts (Antifungal, Heat Resistant up to 70-80°C)

For preserving herbal extracts that require heat processing up to 70-80°C and need protection against mold and fungi, consider Preserve-BSB™.

• Preserve-BSB™ is effective against bacteria, mold, and yeast and can withstand temperatures up to 80°C during production. However, it is most effective in formulas with a pH between 2.0 and 5.5. If your herbal extract's pH is within this range, Preserve-BSB™ could be a suitable option.

It is crucial to know the exact pH of your herbal extract to ensure the chosen preservative will be effective.

2. Broad-Spectrum Preservative for Cosmetics with Herbal Extracts (Safe, All-Species Protection)

For the final cosmetic product containing herbal extracts, you need a safe, broad-spectrum preservative that protects against bacteria, yeast, and mold. Several options are available, with suitability depending on your formula's pH and processing temperature:

• Global Guard™ 221: This is a water-soluble, broad-spectrum preservative effective in a pH range of 2-7. It is globally approved and used at a low rate. Note that it should be added when the cosmetic temperature is below 45°C.
• Mild Preserved™ COS: Another broad-spectrum, water-soluble preservative effective in a wide pH range of 2-8. It is odorless and added when the cosmetic temperature is below 45°C.
• Preserve-BSB™: As mentioned earlier, this preservative is also broad-spectrum (bacteria, mold, yeast) and can be used in the final cosmetic product if the pH is between 2.0 and 5.5 and the processing temperature is below 80°C.
• Chlorphenesin / Phenoxyethanol: A widely used, effective preservative combination suitable for products with a pH of 4.0-7.0. It should be added when the cosmetic temperature is below 60°C.

To select the best preservative, you must consider the final pH of your cosmetic formula and the temperature at which you add the preservative during manufacturing.

Regardless of the preservative chosen, it is essential to perform challenge testing on your specific herbal extract and final cosmetic formulation to confirm the preservative's efficacy and suitability. The source and preparation method of your herbal extract can introduce different microbial loads and potentially affect preservative performance.

We recommend providing the pH of your formula and details about your herbal extract to get a more specific recommendation.