Natural preservative in skincare

Natural skincare products have developed such a market share in the last decade or so.

The customers are a lot more aware and savvy.  Many of them research thoroughly the brands they are interested in before committing. 

They look at  

• what it contains, natural ingredients versus chemical
• where it is made, locally or overseas
• how it is made, hand made or made on large scale
• how beneficial the ingredients are for the skin
• the botanical ingredients they contain
• the origin of the ingredients, local or from overseas

The other elements likely to be considered are the ingredients which are not present such as petroleum ingredients, synthetic preservatives and artificial fragrances.

The synthetic preservatives, namely the parabens, keep the product free of bacteria and fungi and as such are found in most (if not all) commercial skincare products.

Research have proven the parabens are actually absorbed by the body through the skin and become toxic.  They affect in particular our glandular systems.  We want our glandular systems working well and unencumbered as they orchestrate the largest majority of the metabolic reactions taking place in our body.  For more information on that topic I recommend reading “Toxin, Toxout” by Canadian authors Bruce Lourie and Rich Smith.

Let us consider for a minute what are skincare products made out of. They are made more from a blend of oil and water.   These two different types of ingredient mix thank to the addition of a third one called ‘emulsifying agent’.  That is the ingredient which will create the mayonnaise texture of the skincare.

So far so good.  Next comes the longevity of the above mention product.  How can we keep them fresh and not become a breeding ground for bacteria or fungi?  Back we are to the preservative ingredient. 

There are a few non-synthetic preservatives options on the market.  One of which is vitamin E.  I prefer to stay away of this one as it is hard to trace if it is not linked to soya bean oil.  Although soya bean is fine on its own, only the certified organic while insure you that it is not GMO. For this reason, I stay clear of this one.  Many other non-synthetic preservatives have quite a laboratory manufacture element to their creation.  After much considerations and researches I have selected two ingredients which are easily linked to their natural origin.

Two natural ingredients which act as preservatives are:

1) Rosemary extract for the oil part

2) Citrus seed extract for the water part

They are antioxidants and as such help to keep the skincare fresh for longer.

Now let us be clear.  These natural preservatives do not act like the bullet proof synthetic ones.  So when using a natural skincare products consider a few tips you can apply yourself easily with minimum discipline.

Here are what you can do to help maintain the freshness of your natural skin care are:

• If glass containers are used be sure they are amber as direct sunlight UV rays affect the freshness of the products.
• Store your skincare away from the sunlight even if the container is amber glass.
• Keep your skincare at a temperature of less than 30oC.
• Use a spatula or a clean spoon to take the skincare out of the container. Do not use your fingers as they are likely to inoculate bacteria or fungi in the product.
• Use the product within the recommended period. Usually a natural skincare is recommended to be used within 12 months of being manufactured and within 6 months of being opened.

If you apply these simple tips, you will enjoy a fresh natural skincare that will not add toxins to your body which is what many of us are happy with.