Made mainly of oils, water, and peptides, cosmetics are an ideal medium for the growth of bacteria, yeast, mold, and fungus. To prevent the growth of microbes, preservatives are added to many cosmetics and personal care products, including those made of natural ingredients, to maintain the product’s integrity, inhibit bacteria and fungus growth, and prevent the product from spoiling.
Cosmetic preservatives are added to ensure the longevity and safety of the product as well as the safety of the user. Contamination by microorganisms can cause skin irritations, infections, or sensitivities. A few common preservatives include:
- Benzyl alcohol – fights gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and inhibits the growth of yeast and mold
- Tetrasodium EDTA – improves the efficacy of other preservatives
- Parabens – inhibit fungal growth
- Formaldehyde  releasers – fight bacteria
- Phenoxyethanol – gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, yeast, mold, inhibitor
- Germall Plus – fights yeast and mold
- Organic acids – effective in fighting fungi and bacteria
Contract Laboratory often receives test requests for testing cosmetic, beauty, and other personal care products.
Need cosmetics testing? Submit a Lab Request on our improved platform.