Adding preservatives to DIY
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free skin care · Sat Feb 11, 2006 11:53 am

After reading some posting about bacteria

growth, I was wondering if it would be a good idea to buy some Germaben for the products I'm making??? I want to place an order for some other products from the personal formulator, HA, bottles, and I see that the Germaben isn't expensive. Is anyone else using this??? And if so, how much are you using.

free skin care · Sat Feb 11, 2006 3:07 pm

Hi, preservatives like Germaben do not garantee that your products will be free of bacteria. May be the best idea to make your creams in smaller portions. That way you use them faster and your products always will be fresh. For me, the whole idea of a home made products is that they are free of any kind of preservatives.
Lara Smile

free skin care · Sat Feb 11, 2006 3:10 pm

Hi Chrissie,

I think that Carekate uses Germaben. I tend to use Citric Acid, a bit of alcohol or other, more simple, preservatives.

The key is if you're making something that is going to be used up in a week or two ... or if you're keeping it in the fridge ... then a preservative isn't necessary.

Commercial products use a whole host of preservatives in order to extend the shelf life of their products ... but you certainly don't have to go that far.

I suppose that it depends upon what it is you're making and how long it's going to last you.

Also, the type of preservative you use has to suit the product you're making. I imagine that the Personal Formulator lists what sort of preparations Germaben is good for.

If you're also getting other stuff from there, it's certainly not a bad idea to get a preservative or two.

Mary

free skin care · Mon Feb 13, 2006 6:27 am

hpjrt wrote:

Also, the type of preservative you use has to suit the product you're making. I imagine that the Personal Formulator lists what sort of preparations Germaben is good for.

Here's what TPF says about Germaben II in their downloadable PDF catalog:

Description: Germaben II INCI: Propylene Glycol, Diazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben (and)PropylparabenGermaben II is clear viscous liquid with a characteristic mild odor. It is readily soluble at a level of 1.0% in both aqueous solutions and oil/water emulsions. Germaben II is a convenient, ready to-use complete antimicrobial preservative system with a broad spectrum of activity. The solubilized combination of Germall II with methylparaben and propylparaben is effective against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and against yeast and mold. Germaben II can be used without additional co-preservatives and is compatible with essentially all cosmetic ingredients, including surfactants and proteins at typical use levels of 0.3 – 1%.

It can pretty much be used in most DIY recipes.

free skin care · Mon Feb 13, 2006 10:20 am

I use both germaben and citric acid. I am satisfied with both. They are inexpensive and you use a bit and someof the ingredients are good for skin. (I use germaben in my ACV and one glycolic cream I make (that is low pH so I don't think much would grow in it. I make most things in small batches but the ACV lasts about 6 weeks before germaben it got fermented smelling after adding just a bit it's been fine to the end).

free skin care · Mon Feb 13, 2006 11:49 am

sharky wrote:

I use both germaben and citric acid. I am satisfied with both. They are inexpensive and you use a bit and someof the ingredients are good for skin. (I use germaben in my ACV and one glycolic cream I make (that is low pH so I don't think much would grow in it. I make most things in small batches but the ACV lasts about 6 weeks before germaben it got fermented smelling after adding just a bit it's been fine to the end).

Hi. Any recommendation on how much germaben to add the ACV recipe on the DIY section??

free skin care · Mon Feb 13, 2006 12:05 pm

Hi Carekate,

That's an interesting analysis from TPF's catalogue.

According to the Biochemistry of Beauty book, while she agrees with the statement you quote ... [so ... not my own expertise by any means] she also says regarding Germaben.

Quote:

Germaben II is soluable in formulations with less than 25% of an oil phase.

Germaben II-E is for formulations containing ingredients that inactivate parabens. It is good for emulsions with at least 25% oil.

Now, she also has a preservative called Germall Plus, liquid which is:

Quote:

Propylene Glycol and Diazolidinyl Urea and Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate. Use rate is .1 - .5%. It has no known incompatibilities and can be used with either water or doil dominant emulstions.

There are lots more preservatives etc in this book ... of course, understanding everything she says in this book is a bit of an exercise as well. I have to keep re-reading bits of it in order to get it into my pointed little head. Laughing

Mary

Thu Feb 16, 2006 10:12 pm

I'm completely ignorant on the use of eo's but what about using grapefruit seed oil (not grape seed oil) as a preservative? Would this work? I've used it mixed with a lot of water as a light antibacterial toner per the recommendation of someone at my local health food store. What do you think?

Linda

free skin care · Fri Feb 17, 2006 4:42 am

cush wrote:

I'm completely ignorant on the use of eo's but what about using grapefruit seed oil (not grape seed oil) as a preservative? Would this work?

Well, it's in the citric acid family so it would probably help some, but Sharky would probably be the better one to answer as she's fooled around with citric acids more than I (other than to make homemade bath bombs!)....

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