Preservative 12

Product Benefits: Effective Broad-Spectrum Preservative

• Broad-spectrum antimicrobial protection
  
  
• Effective against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, yeasts, and moulds, including gram-positive bacteria, yeasts
  
  
• Suitable for leave-on and rinse-off formulations

• Stable across a wide pH range (3-12)
  
  
• Vegan and biodegradable
  
  
• Formaldehyde-free and palm-free
  
  
• Compatible with various formulation types, including nonionic and cationic formulations
  
  
• Minimal impact on product aesthetics

Product Description

Preservative 12 is a versatile, broad-spectrum preservative blend of Phenoxyethanol and Ethylhexylglycerin. This clear colourless liquid with a slight odour is designed to protect cosmetic formulations from microbial contamination, extend shelf life, and ensure product safety. It is compatible with various skincare formulations, including those with aloe vera and hyaluronic acid serums.

The blend is effective against a wide range of microorganisms, including gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, yeasts, and moulds. Its effectiveness across a broad pH range (3-12) makes it suitable for various cosmetic products, from creams and lotions to serums and gels. It is particularly effective in cationic formulations, creams and lotions, and emulsions. However, be careful with formulations containing clay as clay absorbs preservatives can leave the water element open to microbial contamination.

Preservative 12 is vegan, biodegradable, and formaldehyde-free and palm-free, meeting clean beauty standards. Its compatibility with different formulation types and minimal impact on product aesthetics make it a favourite among formulators. Especially important in formulations that include herbal materials, as these are more prone to microbial contamination.

When using Preservative 12, formulators should ensure creams and lotions are stable and strong to prevent destabilising weak emulsions. The preservative is effective against both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, so broad spectrum protection. Other ingredients measurement is crucial when adding Preservative 12 to ensure product efficacy and safety. Suitable for both leave-on and rinse-off formulations, it’s a versatile option for various products. The same preservative can be used across different formulations for consistency and reliability.

While Preservative 12 is effective, exceeding the recommended concentration can cause skin irritation so formulation practices are key. It’s also compatible with treatment gels, keeps product clear and prevents microbial contamination.

How to Use

• Use in formulations at 0.5% to 1%. In our formulations, we always use 1% unless part of the formulation includes herbal materials such as a tea infusion or decoction, then we use 1.1%, which is also the maximum recommendation. Higher amounts than this have the potential to cause skin irritation.
  
  
• It is not fully oil or water soluble, so it is best used with creams and lotions. When used in a water-based product like a toner, it is more soluble if added to glycerin or sorbitol before being added to the toner. It can also be solubilised with Polysorbate 20.
  
  
• It is stable at variable temperatures. We recommend adding it in Stage 3 in creams and lotions, or when the product temperature is under 40°C.
  
  
• The ethyhexylglycerin content can destabilise weak emulsions. To avoid this, make sure your cream and lotions' emulsions are stable before the preservative is added.
  
  
• As it is colourless, it will not change the colour or affect the clarity of gels. It also has a very mild smell compared to some other preservatives, making it the preferred choice for unscented products.

• The best method for measuring the preservatives (and all other raw materials) when adding to your products is to weigh them on an accurate scale that weighs down to 0.1 grams. You will find older formulations that use drops, but this is no longer accurate enough.

Skin Care

• Use in treatment gels such as Aloe Vera or Hyaluronic Acid serums, as well as all types of creams and lotions.
  
  
• It can tolerate high salt content, so it is suitable for use in salt body scrubs. Body scrubs may be anhydrous and not be thought to need a preservative, but when they are used with wet hands in the bathroom environment, they should be preserved, and Preservative 12 is an excellent choice for this.

Hair Care

• Do not use with shampoos and body washes as it will not work. It works well with non-ionic, anionic, and cationic materials that are used in hair care products like conditioners.
  
  
• Hair care products often use a lot of herbs, which are more prone to microbial contamination, so remember to increase the percentage of Preservative 12 if using infusions and decoctions to 1.1%.