Preservatives in Cosmetics

Preservatives in cosmetics are natural or synthetic ingredients that maintain the freshness, color, texture, or consistency of a product for an extended period of time. Preservatives come in both natural and synthetic forms. Mainstream beauty brands tend to opt for synthetic preservatives that are less expensive and have a longer shelf-life. On the contrary, eco-friendly beauty brands seek out natural alternatives that have a similar effect and shelf-life, but are more importantly healthy for both our skin and the environment. 

Preservatives are used in cosmetics to prevent microbial development, keep products fresh, maintain their quality and appearance, and last but not least, ensure the safety of the customer. In the US, preservatives such as formaldehyde, mineral oils, and parabens are still in use.

Preservatives play a crucial role in cosmetics to keep them fresh; but how do preservatives work in cosmetics? The preservatives used in cosmetics are selected for their antimicrobial and stabilizing properties. These ingredients basically render naturally occurring bacteria and microbes neutral, preventing them from reaching the development phase. This preserves the state of the product at the time of production for an extended period of time. As a result, the average shelf life of unopened cosmetics containing synthetic preservatives is 30-36 months. Similarly, unopened cosmetics containing natural preservatives also have an extended shelf life, albeit much shorter (closer to 6-12 months) than those with synthetic preservatives. 

Additionally, preservatives in cosmetics are used to maintain the color, flavor, consistency, and texture of a product. By adding preservatives, cosmetic products are safer for consumers, improve product appearance and appeal, and maintain freshness.

There are hundreds of preservatives that can be used in the production of cosmetics. However, some the most common types of preservatives are the following three which can be found in numerous mainstream cosmetics:

1. Parabens
2. Formaldehyde releasers
3. Methylisothiazolinone (MIT) and Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCIT)

In the EU, however, these three types of preservatives have restricted use. Other synthetic preservatives that commonly appear in cosmetics are phenoxyethanol and sodium benzoate. 

In natural cosmetics, you will find natural preservatives. These ingredients are typically one of the following: 

1. Rosemary extract
2. Vitamin E and C
3. Honey
4. Grape Seed Extract

Preservatives in cosmetics can have a negative effect on the skin, especially for those with sensitive skin types. The severity and duration of those effects can also vary significantly. Reactions to preservative ingredients range from mild to severe – mild being slightly irritated skin and (although extremely rare) severe being anaphylaxis. The most common allergic reaction to preservatives in cosmetics is skin irritation caused by contact with external substances. This is known as Contact Dermatitis. 

Preservatives are the second-most common allergen in cosmetics. Therefore, having a mild allergic reaction is relatively common, but not a significant concern. Allergic reactions to preservatives in cosmetics typically clear up in just a few days to (in more severe cases) a couple of weeks. By simply switching to a product containing natural preservatives or a preservative-free product, the symptoms should quickly clear up. 

Here are some common symptoms caused by preservatives in cosmetics:

• Inflammation of skin
• Irritated skin
• Potentially damaged skin barrier

In addition to the potential side effects the skin may present after using cosmetics that contain preservatives, these ingredients can also affect the hair, potentially damaging the hair shaft, causing brittleness and breakage, or even hair loss. 

Although the likelihood for natural preservatives to cause an allergic reaction to the skin or hair is much less than that of synthetic preservatives, some people may experience similar side effects from natural preservatives. If you’re unsure, it’s best to consult a medical professional. 

Around the world, cosmetic regulations differ from government to government. The European Union, for example, has enacted a comprehensive framework to outline cosmetic ingredient safety requirements, including the use of preservatives in cosmetics has been established by the European Commission. This information is provided under the EU Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009. Furthermore, the framework ensures that preservatives are thoroughly assessed and approved before use in cosmetic products. The European Commission has also placed a ban or restriction on specific preservatives, such as formaldehyde, certain parabens (i.e., pentylparabens), and other preservatives. 

In the United States, the use and safety requirements of preservatives in cosmetics are regulated by the Federal Food & Drug Administration (FDA) under the Food, Drug, & Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act). As with other cosmetic ingredients, preservative ingredients are evaluated by the FDA for safety, but no pre-market approval is required for their use in cosmetic products. In contrast, the FDA FD&C Act is much laxer in its regulations than its European counterpart, EU Regulation (EC) 1223/2009. 

Northeast Asia is also home to some of the top cosmetic producers worldwide: China, Japan, and South Korea. Each of these countries has their own respective set of comprehensive cosmetic regulations. Unlike in the USA, all three of these countries have banned or restricted the use of many preservative ingredients similar to those listed by the European Commission.

Due to the potential harmful effects caused by preservatives in cosmetics, you may be wondering if there are any cosmetics without preservatives. Since water is often used as the base ingredient in cosmetics, these products are prone to microbial development, since germs can easily multiply in water. Therefore, preservatives are usually a necessary additive. However, there are water-free cosmetics that are either oil or wax-based. These cosmetics are known as ‘anhydrous’ cosmetics and contain either a high alcohol content or have high/low pH values, making additional preservatives unnecessary. 

Opting for preservative-free cosmetics may be a good option from time-to-time, however, to keep our skin healthy, we also need to maintain a good pH level. Unfortunately, this has an effect many anhydrous cosmetics are unable to deliver. Rather than cutting out preservative-containing cosmetics altogether, a better option would be to use cosmetics that contain natural, safe preservatives and have a pH balancing effect, such as those made by ADA Cosmetics.

In every case, ADA Cosmetics stands for maximum safety. In the development of our cosmetics, we prioritize skin health and animal welfare. Avoiding harmful preservatives and other unsafe ingredients is simply a part of our daily workflow. Using natural preservatives in our formulations does more than just replace their synthetic counterparts, but can also repair, nourish, and protect the skin and hair from environmental contaminants. Furthermore, our cosmetics are not only made with natural ingredients, but are also pH skin-neutral and developed without the use of animal testing.

•  We do not use harmful preservatives such as:
  • Parabens
  • MIT and MCIT preservatives
  • Formaldehyde releasers

• Additionally, our products are free from:

• • Silicones
  • Mineral oils
  • Microplastics (no liquid microplastics and no microbeads)
  • Nanomaterials
  • Benzophenone UV filters