What are everyone's favorite preservatives?
EDS Skin Care Forums Forum Index » Skincare Tools & Do-It-Yourself Skincare

free skin care · Wed Mar 14, 2007 8:33 pm

The more and more I sink into the DIY world, I worry that my concoctions would go bad before they are used. I know using everything distilled can help prevent bacteria growth. This is the list of preservatives from GOW:
Black Willowbark Extract / 1 oz
$3.05
Cosmocil CQ / 1 oz
$4.05
Germaben II / 4 oz
$7.60
Germall Plus Powder / 2 oz
$5.95
Germall Plus Liquid / 2 oz
$4.45
Liquapar Optima / 4 oz
$6.75
Methylparaben NF (powder) / 1 oz
$4.35
Microbial *Nipaguard* / 2 oz
$2.10
Optiphen / 1 oz
$4.45
Salicylic Acid Pwdr / 2 oz
$5.20
Stabilized Oxygen / 2 oz
$5.35
Supraprein / 1 oz
$7.05
Suttocide A / 4 oz
$4.70
Urea Powder / 2 oz
$2.35
Vitamin E 1300 IU/gram FCC/USP
$12.85

I have no idea what other things can be used as preservatives. Help Please

Pray

free skin care · Wed Mar 14, 2007 9:18 pm

Thanks for asking this Wild Cat! I would like to know too. My 'order in process' at GOW is only missing preservatives Smile

free skin care · Thu Mar 15, 2007 9:16 am

Bump! Anyone?

free skin care · Thu Mar 15, 2007 9:19 am

Wild Cat, I'm very interested in this myself. Wish I had answers. No doubt someone with more experience will see this and have some recs.

free skin care · Thu Mar 15, 2007 10:09 am

Hi Wild Cat,

I use both Liquipar and Germall Plus. I decided on those two after researching ... although I don't know if they are the best or not. They seemed to be the broadest spectrum ... and required low percentages in the compounds ... and seemed to be tolerated by just about anyone.

So far I, myself, haven't had any adverse reactions from either of 'em! Very Happy

So that's a good sign! Laughing

Mary

free skin care · Thu Mar 15, 2007 3:10 pm

Thanks Mary,
Do you use Germall Plus in the liquid form or the powder form? Do they have different effects?

Where are all the DIY witches? Think

Keep coming!!!

free skin care · Thu Mar 15, 2007 3:30 pm

Hi Wild Cat,

I use the Germall Plus liquid. I've never used it in powder form ... so I don't know if there's a difference.

The Germall Plus liquid is, however, very viscous ... almost difficult to work with ... so I'd be interested in hearing about the powder form! Very Happy

I may get that the next time.

I never bothered much with preservatives when I was making stuff just for my own use. I made very small batches ... and kept them in the fridge. Very Happy

Once I started making the same things for other people, however, I needed to get preservatives into the concoctions. Very Happy

HTH

Mary

free skin care · Thu Mar 15, 2007 5:21 pm

I've been eyeballing the Supraprein and Stablized Oxygen from GOW.

The Supraprein consists of:
Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract
Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Extract
Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract
Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract
Lavandula Augustifolia (Lavender) FlowerExtract
Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Extract
Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf Extract
Hydrastis Canadensis (Golden Seal) Root Extract
Olea Europaea (Olive) Leaf Extract

and here's some more info on it: http://www.naturesanswer.com/biob/articles/articles.asp#

free skin care · Thu Mar 15, 2007 5:26 pm

amnis wrote:

I've been eyeballing the Supraprein and Stablized Oxygen from GOW.

The Supraprein consists of:
Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract
Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Extract
Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract
Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract
Lavandula Augustifolia (Lavender) FlowerExtract
Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Extract
Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf Extract
Hydrastis Canadensis (Golden Seal) Root Extract
Olea Europaea (Olive) Leaf Extract

and here's some more info on it: http://www.naturesanswer.com/biob/articles/articles.asp#

Thanks amnis,
Supraprein sounds really great but its out of stock at GOW. Have you used the stabilized oxygen?

free skin care · Thu Mar 15, 2007 7:29 pm

This doesn't cover all the preservatives you've listed (IMHO, if you are making a larger batch or sharing your creation there are a few listed here I wouldn't put alot of stock in for it's preserving qualities) - but anyway, I had this saved on my favorites you can kinda read thru and see what each does. HTH

http://ispcorp.com/products/preservatives/content/products/index.html

free skin care · Fri Mar 16, 2007 1:42 am

Wild Cat wrote:

Thanks amnis,
Supraprein sounds really great but its out of stock at GOW. Have you used the stabilized oxygen?

Nope, not yet... still researching it.

Candy8865 wrote:

This doesn't cover all the preservatives you've listed (IMHO, if you are making a larger batch or sharing your creation there are a few listed here I wouldn't put alot of stock in for it's preserving qualities) - but anyway, I had this saved on my favorites you can kinda read thru and see what each does. HTH

http://ispcorp.com/products/preservatives/content/products/index.html

Yeah... I worry about not adequately preserving a creation with an all natural preservative... but I really would like to avoid using synthetic ingredients. Thanks for the info, Candy.

Do any of you know a simple way to test for bacteria, mold and/or yeast without sending it off to a lab to be tested?

free skin care · Fri Mar 16, 2007 9:46 am

This is what I use. http://snowdriftfarm.com/chek-it.html

I do have a lab that I use for other items, but for more products this fits the bill for me.

amnis wrote:

Wild Cat wrote:

Thanks amnis,
Supraprein sounds really great but its out of stock at GOW. Have you used the stabilized oxygen?

Nope, not yet... still researching it.

Candy8865 wrote:

This doesn't cover all the preservatives you've listed (IMHO, if you are making a larger batch or sharing your creation there are a few listed here I wouldn't put alot of stock in for it's preserving qualities) - but anyway, I had this saved on my favorites you can kinda read thru and see what each does. HTH

http://ispcorp.com/products/preservatives/content/products/index.html

Yeah... I worry about not adequately preserving a creation with an all natural preservative... but I really would like to avoid using synthetic ingredients. Thanks for the info, Candy.

Do any of you know a simple way to test for bacteria, mold and/or yeast without sending it off to a lab to be tested?

free skin care · Fri Mar 16, 2007 9:47 am

I used to use Germaben II (methylparaben, propylparaben), and now use Phenonip (phenoxyethanol, methylparaben, butylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben)
for my sugar scrubs and salt scrubs. Smile

free skin care · Fri Mar 16, 2007 10:26 am

I am also very interested to Vitamin E 1300 IU/gram FCC/USP. I didn't know Vit-E itself can act as preservative. Wonder how much will be needed and if it also enhance the antioxidant effect? Think

free skin care · Fri Mar 16, 2007 11:11 am

Wild Cat wrote:

I am also very interested to Vitamin E 1300 IU/gram FCC/USP. I didn't know Vit-E itself can act as preservative.

Hi Wildcat!

Don't quote me on this, but my understanding is that Vit. E is an antioxidant only, and will help extend the life of oils and keep them from going rancid. Vitamin E does not prevent the growth of bacteria, yeast and mold in products. I use Vitamin E and no preservative in my butters and balms (which do not contain water). Although my body scrubs are oil-based, I do use Phenonip preservative because water can be introduced into the product with wet hands dipping into the jar in the shower. Smile

free skin care · Fri Mar 16, 2007 11:17 am

MystyPines wrote:

Don't quote me on this, but my understanding is that Vit. E is an antioxidant only, and will help extend the life of oils and keep them from going rancid. Vitamin E does not prevent the growth of bacteria, yeast and mold in products.

Thanks MystyPines,
If you are right, then I don't think GOW should put Vit-E under the preservative section. I am still waiting to get a reply from GOW's Markey regarding Vit-E.

free skin care · Fri Mar 16, 2007 11:38 am

Hi Wild Cat,

I think, if I'm not mistaken, [and if I am, I'm sure that someone on here can refute this] that while Vitamin E is an antioxidant, it also helps preserve the oils in a given formulation. The same applies to Grapefruit Seed Oil.

Neither do a thing for keeping bacteria in water from forming ... but they do help preserve the oils.

When I was researching preservatives, I had hoped that grapefruit seed oil would be good for that ... but I discovered that antioxidants are "preservatives" only for oils. Crying or Very sad

I admit that it's a little confusing ... which is why this is a great thread ... Very Happy

Mary

free skin care · Fri Mar 16, 2007 11:43 am

hpjrt wrote:

Hi Wild Cat,

I think, if I'm not mistaken, [and if I am, I'm sure that someone on here can refute this] that while Vitamin E is an antioxidant, it also helps preserve the oils in a given formulation. The same applies to Grapefruit Seed Oil.

Neither do a thing for keeping bacteria in water from forming ... but they do help preserve the oils.

When I was researching preservatives, I had hoped that grapefruit seed oil would be good for that ... but I discovered that antioxidants are "preservatives" only for oils. Crying or Very sad

I admit that it's a little confusing ... which is why this is a great thread ... Very Happy

Mary

Thanks Mary,
AHhhh...now it makes sense more...I was also hoping Vit-E and grapeseed oil can serve two purposes. I guess there is no way around it. Laughing

free skin care · Fri Mar 16, 2007 3:56 pm

Okay, the process of elimination begins:
Germall Plus Powder / 2 oz
or
Optiphen / 1 oz

These two look promising and available.
Somehow stablized oxygen sounds kinda fishy

A silly question, Embarassed

Even though I will add some oil into the concoction, it doesn't make it "oil based" right? so Liquapar Optima / 4 oz wouldn't be as suitable for my purpose right? Confused

More help needed!! Think

free skin care · Fri Mar 16, 2007 4:06 pm

Wild Cat wrote:

Okay, the process of elimination begins:
Germall Plus Powder / 2 oz
or
Optiphen / 1 oz
or
Stabilized Oxygen / 2 oz

These three look promising and available.

A silly question, Embarassed

Even though I will add some oil into the concoction, it doesn't make it "oil based" right? so Liquapar Optima / 4 oz wouldn't be as suitable for my purpose right? Confused

More help needed!! Think

I think I just might add to your confusion but I noticed this stuff called Gamma Oryzanol Powder on GOW today under "*What's New". I want to make a body oil and this stuff sounds promising.
"On the ground of our results, we can conclude that gamma-oryzanol may have a potential application for the stabilization of lipidic raw materials."

-Never mind, I read your post wrong Embarassed

Sorry!

free skin care · Fri Mar 16, 2007 4:07 pm

MystyPines wrote:

I used to use Germaben II (methylparaben, propylparaben), and now use Phenonip (phenoxyethanol, methylparaben, butylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben)
for my sugar scrubs and salt scrubs. Smile

Thanks MystyPines,
Phenonip is not available at GOW...

free skin care · Fri Mar 16, 2007 4:14 pm

Sundew wrote:

Wild Cat wrote:

Okay, the process of elimination begins:
Germall Plus Powder / 2 oz
or
Optiphen / 1 oz
or
Stabilized Oxygen / 2 oz

These three look promising and available.

A silly question, Embarassed

Even though I will add some oil into the concoction, it doesn't make it "oil based" right? so Liquapar Optima / 4 oz wouldn't be as suitable for my purpose right? Confused

More help needed!! Think

I think I just might add to your confusion but I noticed this stuff called Gamma Oryzanol Powder on GOW today under "*What's New". I want to make a body oil and this stuff sounds promising.
"On the ground of our results, we can conclude that gamma-oryzanol may have a potential application for the stabilization of lipidic raw materials."

-Never mind, I read your post wrong Embarassed

Sorry!

Sundew, thanks anyways...I just read the description of gamma-oryzanol, its nice to know though Surprised

free skin care · Fri Mar 16, 2007 5:40 pm

Okay, I decided on trying Germall Plus Powder because it is cheaper and require less amount to work. And hopefully the powder form would be easier to mix.

Automatic Message

If this is your first visit to the EDS Forums please take the time to register. Registration is required for you to post on the forums. Registration will also give you the ability to track messages of interest, send private messages to other users, participate in Gift Certificates draws and enjoy automatic discounts for shopping at our online store. Registration is free and takes just a few seconds to complete.

Click Here to join our community.

If you are already a registered member on the forums, please login to gain full access to the site.