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Preservative Ingredients
What is it?
A preservative is a natural or synthetic ingredient that is added to products such as foods, pharmaceuticals and personal care products to prevent spoilage, whether from microbial growth or undesirable chemical changes.
Preservative ingredients can be used at relatively low levels to ensure that the product performs effectively over the time it takes the consumer to finish the product. Without preservatives, personal care products could become contaminated with microorganisms or degrade from the adverse effects of oxygen.
Preservative ingredients can be used at relatively low levels to ensure that the product performs effectively over the time it takes the consumer to finish the product. Without preservatives, personal care products could become contaminated with microorganisms or degrade from the adverse effects of oxygen.
Safety Information
The safety of individual Preservatives is established through several different mechanisms.
First, the safety of Preservatives, along with other types on ingredients, is assessed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR), which is an independent program sponsored by the cosmetic and personal care industry. The CIR has considered the safety of most of the preservatives that are used in cosmetics and personal care products. In considering the safety of cosmetic preservatives, the CIR Expert Panel considers all of the scientific data that is available, including data that is published in the peer-reviewed literature as well as information provided from other sources, and determines whether or not this information can allow a safety assessment. If additional information is necessary, the CIR will issue a public announcement identifying the additional information that is needed to complete their safety assessment. When all of the information is available, the CIR Expert Panel will then carefully review the data and issue a conclusion to the public. The conclusion can say that the ingredient is (1) safe as used, (2) safe with limitations on usage, (3) unsafe and (4) insufficient information to determine safety. The CIR conclusions provide important guidance for safe formulation of cosmetics and personal care products.
In addition to the CIR, the safety of Preservatives has been considered by other authoritative organizations. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has assessed the safety of the preservative and antimicrobial ingredients that are used in foods and drugs. Many of these same Preservatives are also used in cosmetics and personal care products. The FDA safety assessments include public announcement describing the information considered by the agency and the conditions for safe and effective use. The European Commission has also assessed the safety of Preservatives and describes the ingredients that may be used in the Cosmetics Directive.
The consideration of the safety assessments for Preservatives provides a sound scientific basis for determining what levels are necessary to prevent the growth of microorganisms and ensure safe use by the consumer.
You can find out more about specific Preservative ingredients by searching this web site using the name on the product label.
First, the safety of Preservatives, along with other types on ingredients, is assessed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR), which is an independent program sponsored by the cosmetic and personal care industry. The CIR has considered the safety of most of the preservatives that are used in cosmetics and personal care products. In considering the safety of cosmetic preservatives, the CIR Expert Panel considers all of the scientific data that is available, including data that is published in the peer-reviewed literature as well as information provided from other sources, and determines whether or not this information can allow a safety assessment. If additional information is necessary, the CIR will issue a public announcement identifying the additional information that is needed to complete their safety assessment. When all of the information is available, the CIR Expert Panel will then carefully review the data and issue a conclusion to the public. The conclusion can say that the ingredient is (1) safe as used, (2) safe with limitations on usage, (3) unsafe and (4) insufficient information to determine safety. The CIR conclusions provide important guidance for safe formulation of cosmetics and personal care products.
In addition to the CIR, the safety of Preservatives has been considered by other authoritative organizations. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has assessed the safety of the preservative and antimicrobial ingredients that are used in foods and drugs. Many of these same Preservatives are also used in cosmetics and personal care products. The FDA safety assessments include public announcement describing the information considered by the agency and the conditions for safe and effective use. The European Commission has also assessed the safety of Preservatives and describes the ingredients that may be used in the Cosmetics Directive.
The consideration of the safety assessments for Preservatives provides a sound scientific basis for determining what levels are necessary to prevent the growth of microorganisms and ensure safe use by the consumer.
You can find out more about specific Preservative ingredients by searching this web site using the name on the product label.
Why is it used in cosmetics and personal care products?
The use of preservatives is essential in most products to prevent product damage caused by microorganisms and to protect the product from inadvertent contamination by the consumer during use. An ingredient that protects the product from the growth of microorganisms is called an antimicrobial. A preservative may also be added to a product to protect it against damage and degradation caused by exposure to oxygen, and in this instance, these ingredients are also called antioxidants. Without preservatives, cosmetic products, just like food, can become contaminated, leading to product spoilage and possibly irritation or infections. Microbial contamination of products, especially those used around the eyes and on the skin, can cause significant problems. Preservatives help prevent such problems.
Scientific facts:
Antimicrobials prevent the growth of molds, yeasts, and bacteria. Antioxidants keep personal care products from becoming rancid or brown, or developing black spots. Rancid personal care products may not make you sick, but they might smell bad or be a different color or consistency. Antioxidants suppress the reaction that occurs when ingredients in the product combine with oxygen in the presence of light, heat, and some metals. Antioxidants also minimize the damage to some essential ingredients or materials that are especially susceptible to oxidative damage.
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Click here for more information on Preservatives
