Everything You Need to Know About Preservatives in your skincare products
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What are “Preservatives” for skincare products?
Preservatives are substances added into skincare products to prevent the growth of bacteria, fungus, mould & yeast. Without preservatives, the products will deteriorate and reduce its effectiveness quickly especially in warm, humid environment.
Cosmetic products need to be be preserved in order to prevent microbial spoilage that would make the product unsafe for consumers.
Preservatives can be divided into artificial and natural ones.
Comparison of natural & artificial preservatives in skincare products:
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Natural Presevatives |
Artificial Preservatives |
|
Sources |
Derived from plants |
Created in laboratory |
|
Effect |
Limited shelf life |
Stronger & longer shelf life |
|
Impact |
Safer |
Potential health risks |
|
Examples
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Ethylhexylglycerin,Glyceryl Caprylate, Lactobacillus Ferment, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment & Lactobacillus & |
Parabens, Isothiazolinones, Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, Quaternium-15, triclosan |
|
Cost |
Expensive |
Cheaper |
There is growing awareness about the potential health risks of artificial preservatives, consumers are increasingly looking for natural preservatives. Why??
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Parabens |
Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives |
Isothiazolinones |
Triclosan |
Butylated Compounds BHT |
|
Health Risks |
Endocrine-disrupting/hormonal Imbalance/ harm fertility and reproductive organs/affect birth outcomes/cancer |
Penetrate skin Irritation skin & eyes Dermatitis Respiratory Allergy Cancer: Leukemia |
Contact Dermatitis linked to organ system toxicity & neurotoxicity.
|
Contact Dermatitis linked to organ system toxicity & neurotoxicity. Contaminate water
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Carcinogen Allergic reactions Endocrine disruption Organ-system toxicity. Human respiratory irritant. |
|
Derivatives |
Ethylparaben Butylparaben Isobutylparaben Isopropylparaben Methylparaben Propylparaben |
DMDM hydantoin Diazolydinal urea Imidiazoldinal urea Quaternium-15, Bronopol (2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane sodium hydroxymethylglycinate
|
Methylisothiazolinone Methylchloroisothiazolinones
|
Triclosan triclocarban |
BHT (E321)- Butylated hydroxytoluene, a derivative of toluene
BHA(E320)- Butylated hydroxyanisole
|
|
Found in |
Foundation Moisturiser Hair products Makeup products Sunscreen Antiperspirant/deodorant Hand cream
|
Shampoos Bath soaps Blush, mascara, Lotion Sunscreen Makeup Remover |
Body lotion, Hair products Hand cream |
Toothpaste Mouthwash Antiperspirant/deodorant
|
Lip products Hair products Makeup products Sunscreen Antiperspirant/deodorant Fragrance Creams
|
Repeated use & long-term exposure of these artificial preservatives definitely pose severe health concerns to us.
How to Avoid?
- Read the labels & check if the list of ingredients contains these harmful chemicals.
- Opt for products added with natural preservatives
- Avoid products that are labelled “antibacterial,” or make claims such as “odor-fighting” or “keeps food fresher, longer.”
we strongly recommend checking the labels and reading the ingredients of household products to decrease exposure and the potentially harmful effects to ourselves and our environment.
https://www.beyondpesticides.org/resources/antibacterials/triclosan/products-containing-triclosan-