Natural preservatives for cosmetics are not really rare. Ingredients like salt, sugar and coconut oil – common natural preservatives – often play a recurring role in our formulas.
There are also preservatives that may not be all natural, but are still safe to use on the skin. And then there’s the harmful and unstable class of preservatives, hidden in plain sight in many popular cosmetics. Using the wrong preservatives in cosmetics can wreak havoc on our skin. How to spot conservative friends of enemies?
We shed light on common cosmetic preservatives and how safe (or dangerous) they are for our skin and health, as well as the best preservative-free products for a healthy complexion.
The history of preservatives in cosmetics
Before we get too deep into preservatives and their role in many of the cosmetics we know and love, let’s backtrack a bit for a little bit of history.
To examine cosmetic preservatives today, we have to go way back – almost as far back as the dawn of cosmetics themselves.
In ancient Egypt and Rome, wealthy women sought beauty products made from kohl, a black powdery substance, saffron, wine, and even goose fat. Water and oils were used to achieve an ideal texture for makeup application, and products were often stored in unique jars and boxes for preservation.
In East Asia, an ancient shrub was used to dye hair and lips dark red; this beauty treatment still exists today, known as henna. In China, beauty regimens involved ingredients such as gelatin and beeswax for soaps.
As recently as the 1800s, natural preservatives for cosmetics like honey, rose and lemon were used to improve and beautify the skin. These techniques have since been improved and allow natural preservatives to thrive in the modern beauty world.
How do cosmetic preservatives work?
As you can see, preservatives aren’t new – but how exactly do they work?
Any product made with certain components will naturally degrade over time; that’s where preservatives come in. Preservatives help maintain ingredient stability and protect against bacterial population, keeping them safe to use over time with relatively the same quality and performance – at least , until the product reaches its expiration date.
Most of us never consider what it takes to preserve a product. The more water it contains, the stronger and more concentrated the preservatives will need to be. This is because water can be a breeding ground for bacteria.
As our largest organ, the skin has a pretty tough job of keeping us, well, together! Its other job is to act as a barrier against harmful external pathogens and bacteria. That’s why the products we apply topically need to be effective at repelling bacteria – you don’t want them bringing more onto your skin! Natural preservatives are a clean way to help protect our exterior (and interior) from bacterial exposure from beauty products.
In general, many believe that dry or oil-based products are relatively safe from growing bacteria, but this is not necessarily true. We contaminate our products every day by digging our fingers into eye shadow, dusting last week’s brushes into blushes, and pressing down on our less-than-fresh sponges for quick smudge coverage.
The spread of moisture, natural oils and bacteria between products is reason enough to ensure that each formula has its own preservation system in place.
Preservatives to avoid in cosmetics
There are a few dirty beauty ingredients that, thanks to modern technology and research, can be avoided if we watch them. A few that come to mind: parabens, formaldehyde and SLES or sodium-lauryl-sulfate.
Many of us are trying to be more aware of what we buy and use, and have been able to dodge these cosmetic culprits. Unfortunately, even though they are still widely used, they are definitely dangerous for our skin. Let’s break down why.
PARABENS
We all know parabens, currently on the cosmetic hot seat. Parabens can be absorbed by our body, where they can disrupt normal hormonal functions. Not only do parabens often cause irritation and allergic reactions, but parabens have even been linked to breast cancer.
FORMALDEHYDE
If you recognize the cosmetic ingredient formaldehyde, it’s probably because you heard about it in another industry. Yes, the same formaldehyde that is used in the funeral industry for embalming fluid is also added to many common beauty products as a preservative: nail polish, eyelash glue, and hair gel, to name a few. only a few.
Since formaldehyde is considered an active ingredient, it can be inhaled when exposed to cosmetics that contain it. Formaldehyde has been linked to tumors and the development of certain cancers.
SLS/ SLES
Sodium lauryl sulfates (aka SLS or SLES) also spent time on the naughty list of cosmetics. Although we are glad that so much awareness has been made about the risks of using this product, it is still used as a cleansing agent in skincare and household items.
SLES is a cosmetic preservative that persists in the environment and is a known carcinogen. Sulfates can irritate the skin, leaving it stripped and inflamed. It can trigger skin conditions such as rosacea, eczema, and acne.
Clean and synthetic alternatives
When we talk about natural preservatives for cosmetics, what do we mean by “natural”? Essentially any preservative organically found in nature, or a preservative from a natural plant source would count as a natural preservative.
There is another type of preservative that we approve of: synthetic preservatives. These are created in a lab using natural sources, but they are free of toxins and carcinogens like the other toxic preservatives we mentioned earlier.
Why do we find it so important to use natural preservatives in cosmetics? There are two simple reasons, the first being personal safety. We have seen and heard of chemical preservatives having a harmful effect on the skin and the body, which raises the question of whether their benefits indeed outweigh their risks.
We are also passionate about natural preservatives because of their environmental impact. Many conventional preservatives used in cosmetics contribute to pollution, using non-renewable fossil fuels or contaminating precious water resources. Naturally derived preservatives tend to be kinder to the planet and your skin, making them a win-win for everyone involved.
Here are some clean, synthetic preservative alternatives to look for in your cosmetics:
Honeysuckle
Our carefully distilled Japanese honeysuckle is a favorite natural preservative used in 100% PURE™ products. It is naturally antibacterial and offers antioxidants to fight aging-causing free radicals.
Rosemary
This fragrant antioxidant adds aromatherapy benefits to products, while helping to keep them bacteria-free. It is a natural antibacterial known to calm the skin and fight breakouts effectively.
Tocopherol
Composed of plant-derived vitamin E, tocopherol is an excellent natural preservative for cosmetics because, as an antioxidant, it helps repair and fortify the skin against environmental damage.
Grapefruit seed extract
Also sometimes labeled GSE, this natural preservative has been around for decades. Rich in healthy antioxidants like vitamins E and C, grapefruit seeds promote healthy, glowing skin.
Why should you use products without preservatives
We’re excited to see the world of clean beauty grow, and we hope you are too! When it comes to beauty, more and more safe products are available every day – giving shoppers more vegan, paraben-free and sustainable options – and preservative-free is no exception!
At 100% PURE, it’s no secret that we’re obsessed with nature’s gentle, gentle ingredients. We support beauty based on natural, plant-based and cruelty-free principles. In fact, we were creating makeup with natural ingredients when it was becoming the norm! And we are one of the best choices for clean beauty products.
Following our core values of providing truly natural skincare that’s safe for skin and health and beneficial for those who absolutely want a preservative-free formula, we’re pleased to offer a plethora of fan-favorite, no-frills formulas. conservative. And here’s why.
We offer these products to:
#1. Helps reduce any risk of sensitivity, especially for ultra-sensitive skin
#2. Decrease the inflammation that preservatives can sometimes cause, especially for reactive skin
#3. Avoid synthetic preservatives which can disrupt your endocrine system and even cause birth defects
#4. To avoid parabens artificially mimic estrogen in the bodyleading to a multitude of metabolic, developmental, hormonal and neurological disorders
#5. Give options to those who want a safe and effective formula that is as natural as it is natural; it’s peace of mind that counts
#6. Providing formulations that are kinder to your skin and the planet
We are also passionate about natural preservatives because of their environmental impact. Many preservatives used in cosmetics contribute to pollution, using non-renewable fossil fuels or contaminating precious water resources. Naturally derived preservatives tend to be kinder to the planet and your skin, making them a win-win for everyone involved!
Without further ado, we are proud to list all of our preservative-free products.
As we helped shed some light, there are a variety of uses for preservatives and how natural preservatives can be beneficial in skin and health applications and products. Although we offer natural preservatives in some of our formulas, we’re happy to also have a list of options for everyone, regardless of skin type or concern. It’s peace of mind, body and skin that counts!
