![\"NaturalPreservCol02\"](\"https:\/\/ulprospector.ul.com\/media\/2016\/02\/NaturalPreservCol02.jpg\")
Natural-based ingredients are currently in vogue due to consumer perception that they are safer and better for the environment. And while it\u2019s true that preservatives and fragrances account for the majority of skin irritations and allergic reactions to cosmetic products, it is unlikely that natural-based materials are milder. An argument can be made that since they are normally complex mixtures, it is more likely they will cause problems.<\/p>\n
There are also regulatory considerations when using preservatives or ingredients with antimicrobial activity. In Europe and Japan, you need to use preservatives on the approved lists. In the US, there aren\u2019t any current restrictions. If you use an ingredient with known antimicrobial activity that is not on the approved list, you can face regulatory action unless an approved ingredient is included in the formulation. The best preservation strategy is normally to include chelating agents<\/a>, polyols, and other boosters to minimize the level of approved preservative needed.<\/p>\n How we define \u201cnatural\u201d is also critical since many globally-approved preservatives occur naturally but are produced synthetically. These include parabens<\/a>, benzyl alcohol<\/a>, benzoic acid<\/a>, sorbic acid<\/a>, o-cymen-5-ol, and phenoxyethanol<\/a>.<\/p>\n Prospector has listings for thousands of natural ingredients from global suppliers. Get technical data, request samples and more now…<\/p>\n Naturally-produced chelators can reduce formulation preservative levels by as much as 70%. Typical use levels are only .05-.1%.<\/p>\n Naturally-produced polyols help preservatives penetrate the cell walls of microbes. Typical use levels are 1-5%.<\/p>\n The typical use levels of nature-identical alcohols are .5-5%.<\/p>\n The activity of nature-identical acids is very PH dependent.<\/p>\n All botanical blends have better activity than Phenoxyethanol, based on MIC data.<\/p>\n Natural colorants approved for cosmetic use in the U.S. include Annatto, Carmel, Carmine, Beta Carotene, Guaiazulene, Titanium Dioxide<\/a>, Zinc Oxide<\/a> and Iron Oxides<\/a>. These all are found in nature but most are synthetically produced. They can be used in externally applied cosmetic products including the eye area and are exempt from the FDA batch certification process.<\/p>\n
\nWant to include natural ingredients in your personal care formulations?<\/h3>\n
\nSearch Material Data
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\nNaturally produced chelators<\/h3>\n
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Naturally-produced polyols<\/h3>\n
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Nature-identical alcohols<\/h3>\n
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Nature-identical acids<\/h3>\n
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Botanical blends<\/h3>\n
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Natural Colorants<\/h3>\n
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