Les ingrédients BeautyMix

Preservatives: the essentials of our cosmetic products?

Les ingrédients BeautyMix

Today we meet for an article on the use of preservatives in cosmetics. Indeed, whether they are homemade or industrial, our cosmetics need preservatives to extend their shelf life and thus prevent the proliferation of microbes and other bacteria. Under these conditions, which preservatives to choose while remaining eco-responsible and continuing to manufacture your own homemade cosmetics? BeautyMix gives you some solutions for optimal results!

What is a preservative?

The conservation of cosmetics is a major subject for your health! Preservatives are essential to preserve your products, until their last use! It is easy to identify when a product has "turned": a different texture, a strange odor and color, reduced efficiency ... On the other hand, it is much less easy to identify when microorganisms (such as bacteria) thrive in your products. These microbes , invisible to the naked eye, can yet cause unwanted reactions ... And who wants to be covered in pimples? You should therefore not wait for visible signs that show that your product has not been stored properly. As they say: "prevention is better than cure" (or cry!).

What are parabens?

You should know that microorganisms are ubiquitous in our environment. It's very simple: when there is water, there is life! This is why the cosmetics industry has developed many molecules to prevent microbial growth in your products. And when you know that 3 years can pass between the manufacture of a cosmetic product and its use, you can imagine the power of the molecules used!

Among these molecules, parabens are on the Hit Parade! Efficient, well tolerated and economical, they have long been considered perfect. But more recently, studies have questioned their safety, and some parabens have been banned by theEuropean regulation. They are now very controversial, but that does not mean that all Conservatives are bad for you.

Which preservatives to use in home cosmetics?

For our health, we must both protect our cosmetic products and choose harmless preservatives.

As part of home cosmetics , we can afford to use softer preservatives because the use is immediate after manufacture.

Our so-called “raw” products are, as you know, natural, but not without preservatives. Our hydrosols are thus protected by a mild preservative to allow them to be stored at room temperature.

The aqueous phases of your products systematically need a so- called "antimicrobial" preservative to fight against the proliferation of molds and other bacteria. Your creams, milks and micellar waters therefore need these preservatives. BeautyMix has selected one that is unbeatable: benzyl alcohol. Widely used in organic cosmetics , it is authorized by the label ORGANIC Ecocert and guarantees that your products will be stored for three months at room temperature.

Please note that to validate this storage period, we have performed laboratory tests with our formulator!

Products without an aqueous phase such as lip balms or deodorants have the advantage of not needing preservatives . Our only advice is to protect them from heat and light to avoid their oxidation, that is to say the rancidity of fatty substances.

And what hygiene rules can you put in place?

Certain external factors make their work more difficult. And yes, you are sometimes the ones responsible! Your fingers can be the source of contamination.

A good preservative is not enough, you also need good hygiene practices.

This is why they must be handled with care and be sure to respect certain hygiene rules .

Here are a few that are simple and effective:

- Wash and disinfect your hands well

- Disinfect utensils

- Disinfect your workstation

Now you have all the cards in hand to keep your created products atBeautyMix Up to the last drop !

No more waste and corpses of products in your bathroom!

La team BeautyMix

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