WHICH PRODUCTS DO & DO NOT REQUIRE PRESERVATION?
It is vitally important that the products we put on our skin be as safe from contamination and rancidity as those we consume. We all know that fresh food spoils and it must be handled with care and consumed before rot sets in. The same principle applies to skincare. A formula that will rot will do so quickly; in a matter of days, a lotion without a broadband preservation system will begin to grow mold, fungus, and bacteria. Yet a salve made with JUST seed butters and plant fruit and seeds oils will have a long and happy shelf life if kept free of contamination.
What else is considered "water"? Aloe Juice, Aloe Gel, Hydrosol water, floral water, flower water, distilled or spring water. Anytime you see these ingredients on a label it is considered a water component. There also must be a preservative in these products.
I will discuss preservation with alcohol in a future article on my blog. Briefly, alcohol can be used to preserve certain products, such as toners and spritzes, and most herbalists use this technique because it is more "natural." However, it is very drying and can make skin problems worse! All skin, at every age and every skin type, suffers from the regular application of alcohol.
DID YOU KNOW? WATER CONTAMINATION IS A BIG PROBLEM IN SKINCARE
There are so many ways that water can get into your lotions, shampoos, conditioners, etc. While most chemically preserved products can handle a small amount of water getting in (like a scrub in your shower or a shampoo bottle left open), safe practices can ensure a longer shelf life and fresher products.
NO ...
Products which DO NOT include water, such as powdered products, and those forumalated with 100% plant oils and butters, do not require a broad spectrum preservative.
Anti-rancidity ingredients should be included in 100% plant oil formulations to increase the shelf life of the oils: Vitamin E and Rosemary Leaf Oil Extract (ROE) are the most commonly used and are very effective. Both of these ingredients are packed with antioxidants, which protect the oils from oxidative factors such as heat, light, and air. Free radical damage to the fragile fatty acids in seed oils requires special care when being handled!
ONLY OIL IN YOUR BOTTLE? HANDLE WITH CARE!
Stays fresh, unopened for varying amounts of time, depending on many factors.
After opening, shelf stability will varying depending on many factors.
Buy small amounts and use often until gone (empty bottles can be sterilized but not droppers)
Protect from contamination from water and wet fingers, water droplets and steam.
Keep lid screwed on tight to protect from the air.
Keep in cool dark location (bathroom cabinet - to protect from light and heat)
YES ....
All lotions, body butters, shampoos & conditioners, which include WATER, should be properly preserved.
On the long list of preservatives available, I have chosen eco-friendly, plant-derived preservatives to keep my products SAFE! There just is no way around this: BE WARY of any product that contains water (other than REAL Castille Soap!) but no preservative. Ask questions of the crafter and proceed with knowledge and caution!