Preservatives in skincare, are they safe?

Preservatives are important to ensure the skincare products remains safe to use up until it's use-by date. Bacteria and mould in skincare products aren’t always visible to the naked eye but can cause many skin issues like acne, reactions, or allergies. 

Not all preservatives are created equal 

At Botanical Envy we only use safe, non-irritating preservatives to deliver the best possible result for your skin’s health. 

What we use:

Lactobacillus radish root ferment, cocos nucifera (coconut) fruit extract - Derived from radish root ferment and coconut extract, combined with Lactobacillus. It offers a broad spectrum of protection against microbial growth, while also providing moisturising and conditioning benefits to the skin.

Bacillus subtilis - Is a soil bacterium and its fermentation products act as natural preservatives, inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria and extending the shelf life of cosmetic products. 

Aspen bark - Extracted from the bark of the American Aspen tree, also known as the Quaking or Trembling Aspen. Rich in salicylates that functions as the plant’s natural defence mechanism against invading parasites. The extract also contains conditioning properties, helping to make skin smooth and soft. 

Vitamin E (natural form) - Not an actual preservative but an antioxidant, used to help protect the formula from oxidation.

Rosemary extract - High in antioxidant properties. In addition, it has also been reported to have some antimicrobial, antibacterial and antifungal properties.

Phytocide Elderberry - Derived from the fruit of the Elderberry tree. It not only protects your skincare product from microbial growth, but also provides antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory effect to the skin.

Potassium sorbate - As an organic compound derived from mountain ash berries, the ingredient is also readily biodegradable.

What we don't use

X Benzyl alcohol

X Benzophenone

X Formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives

X Phenoxyethanol

X Phthalates

X Parabens

X Sodium Benzoate

X Triclosan, and the list goes on .....

Many of these toxic preservatives have been linked to different types of cancers, endocrine disorders, hormonal imbalances and can cause dryness and irritation to the skin. 

Always store cosmetic products away from direct sunlight to prevent formulas from spoiling. Use clean fingers and securely close containers after use to prevent microbial contamination. The open jar symbol will state how many months a product will last for after opening. Make sure to dispose of cosmetic products that have been opened past their shelf life. 

Did you know? Several natural oils are known for their stability and resistance to rancidity. Jojoba oil (which is actually a liquid wax) and fractionated coconut oil (MCT) are particularly stable, along with high-oleic sunflower oil, meadowfoam oil, and moringa oil. These oils are less prone to oxidation and spoilage compared to some other natural oils.