natural preservatives? - Page 2

Originally Posted by JessicaWiehle

All my creations go in amber glass. It is expensive but highly recycleable, sanitizable, safe and blocks the light from damaging my products which is especially important when working with sensitive materials like anxioxidants and essential oils. Also, many actives/EOs will eat away at plastic and plastic off gasses considerably which means you wind up with toxins in your skin care products - no thanks. This might be why you see a lot of products sold in glass. If the manufacturer has done their research, they know glass is superior when it comes to storing skin care (or food for that matter).

Not to get off topic, but quite frankly, I strive to live as plastic free as possible. The level of toxins found in plastics here in the U.S. that continue to go unregulated is alarming. In fact I am becoming so nuts (perhaps I need prof. help?haha) that I check every single plastic item that comes into contact with myself or my family (including right down to making a new lap top purchase that is PVC free which is proving to be very difficult!) to avoid having exposure to the bad ones and insure that I am purchasing stuff that can be recyled in my area. When glass is an option for food, I take it over the plastic. Several plastics also absorb bacteria and those of us who are trying to stay as natural as possible such as myself, and Eden and several others i've come across here, we're just asking for trouble if we do not know enough about plastics to select the right ones. Polypropylene is a good one but I would not use EOs in it or any plastic so my only option really is glass. Especially now that i'm going to be investigating using the aforementioned EO blend as a preservative. Which brings me to my question (again, sorry to blab!)...

Eden - I see you posted the ratios and I have each of those oils. Thank you! My question is, exactly what percent needs to go into a product for it to be effective?

Some books I have say that most EOs on their face are microbial to some extent or one some level (antiviral, antibacterial or antifunal or a combo of some or all). I like the idea of using EOs in all my creations for their active properties, scent and preservation properties. It would be nice to know that each of my blends, to some extent, were preserving my products without drowning out the active properties or scents of oils I love to use like carrot seed oil, rose oil, ylang ylang, helichrysum, etc.

I lurked around the soapmaking forum. WOw, there is so much toiting around the use of parabens and other chemical preservatives and they really make it appear as though it is a MUST if you ever want to sell your products. I intend to sell locally, to my family, work pals, etc. I don't intend to make a career of it - I only want to help interested parties get safe skin care for a better value. But reading that forum really scared me into thinking I would never be able to do this without surrendering to a chemical. Ugh! I have been making my own oil/water emulsions for quite some time. I've never had a rash, gotten sick, or come across anything bad like mold or bacteria, in any of my creations. I know you can't always see it, and now they [posters on that forum] have effectively scared the crap out of me!

Originally Posted by mantonis

I have lemongrass EO but I'm afraid to use it cause I do not know if its photosensitive like lemon EO. Should I go for it or leave it? (it's a day cream)

I red on a Greek DIY site about 5% alcohol of the water phase can keep a base cream for 3-4 months. Weleda uses alcohol in her skin care products. What do you think? Is it true. I know it dries skin but I have used Weleda products with no dryness problems at all.

Originally Posted by beckeydorn

Mantanis, I am so glad you asked this question. I have Lemongrass EO also and hadn't thought of this at all.

Is that site saying Alcohol at 5% is a preservative? I'm yet to make my first creme and I am getting antsy to do it.

Originally Posted by edensong

I missed your question, Jessica -- sorry.

You need at least 1% of the proper EO combo for preservation.

Originally Posted by DragoN

Lema Oil

looks not bad....

Originally Posted by

In the last few years, a number of laboratory studies have revealed the efficacy of plant extracts and phytochemicals as antimicrobials. These properties are attributed to the presence of secondary metabolites such as phenolics in essential oils and tannins in herbal extracts. Some examples of classes of natural materials that afford antimicrobial protection include essential oils such as tea tree oil, rosemary oil and turmeric oil; plant extracts such as rosemary extract, sage extract, lemon balm extract, green tea extract, Kaempferia galanga extract, Neem leaf extract and oil, and isolated phytochemicals such as cinnamates, benzoates, eugenol.

Originally Posted by

However, too often preservatives were used as a substitute for hygienic manufacture and good manufacturing practices and the industry is seeing a backlash against preservatives by significant numbers of consumers.

Originally Posted by edensong 


I missed your question, Jessica -- sorry.

You need at least 1% of the proper EO combo for preservation.