Preserving Homemade Yogurt Cream for Facial Use

Question

I have made a homemade yogurt cream for facial application. I would like to preserve it so it can be stored at room temperature.

1. Will adding a preservative kill the beneficial bacteria in the yogurt? Does this matter for topical application on the skin?
2. I am considering using Thyme Care™ (natural preservative). Will this preservative affect the sour cream smell of the yogurt? If it has a strong scent, are there other natural preservative options with milder or no noticeable smells?

MySkinRecipes Expert · Accepted Answer

Preserving Homemade Yogurt Cream for Facial Use

Asked by: kulsiri_c On: June 21, 2017 Product Type: Cosmetics

Question

I have made a homemade yogurt cream for facial application. I would like to preserve it so it can be stored at room temperature.

1. Will adding a preservative kill the beneficial bacteria in the yogurt? Does this matter for topical application on the skin?
2. I am considering using Thyme Care™ (natural preservative). Will this preservative affect the sour cream smell of the yogurt? If it has a strong scent, are there other natural preservative options with milder or no noticeable smells?

Answer

Preserving Homemade Yogurt Cream for Facial Use

It is understandable that you want to preserve your homemade yogurt cream for facial application, especially when storing it at room temperature. Adding a preservative is a good approach to extend its shelf life and prevent microbial growth.

Regarding your concerns:

Effect on Beneficial Microbes: As the staff mentioned, preservatives are designed to inhibit or kill microorganisms. This will likely include the beneficial bacteria present in your yogurt. However, the primary skin benefits from yogurt, such as exfoliation and hydration, are attributed to components like Lactic Acid, not the live bacterial cultures. Therefore, adding a preservative will help keep the product safe for use without diminishing its key benefits for the skin.
Effect on Smell: You are correct to consider the impact on the smell. Thyme Care™ (natural preservative), while effective as a broad-spectrum preservative, has a strong natural scent of Thyme. The product description specifically notes that users may find this scent too strong for skincare products and suggests adding additional fragrance to mask it. This means it will likely alter the original sour cream smell of your yogurt.

If the strong Thyme scent is a concern, you might consider other natural preservatives that have milder or no noticeable scents. Some options available include:

PaeoniaPreserve™ (Natural Preservative): This preservative has a mild natural plant smell.
Global Guard™ 221 (pH 2-7, Natural): This is a water-soluble preservative with a yellow color, but the description does not mention a strong scent.
Coco-Preserve™ (Preservative from Coconut Extract): This preservative is derived from coconut extract and is water-soluble. The description does not indicate a strong scent.
NaturePreserve™ LB2: This is a light-colored liquid preservative that is water-soluble. The description does not mention a strong scent.

When choosing a preservative, also consider the pH range it is effective in and the recommended usage rate, as these vary between products. Always follow the manufacturer's recommended usage rate.

Adding a preservative will help make your homemade yogurt cream more stable for room temperature storage for a limited time, but proper hygiene during preparation and storage is still crucial.