Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

When do cosmetic companies decide what type of preservative they are going to use?

Hi There!

Interesting question! Are you asking when did companies decide to use vs. not use preservatives or are you asking what step in the process of making a cosmetic does a company decide to add preservative?

I wasn't sure myself, so I googled 'preservatives in cosmetics' and found this website. http://www.cosmeticsinfo.org/preservative-information I read thought it and clicked on some of the links and thought it was pretty interesting. It might help answer some of your questions about preservatives. Please check it out and let us know if we can be of any more help!

Is this in preparation for a project? May I ask what are you looking to research? The concept sounds interesting since most people use some kind of cosmetic everyday!

Keep us posted!
Nikki

Hi Nikki! I'm actually curious to know when a cosmetic company decides what type of preservative they are going to use, whether that be either a water-soluble or oil-soluble, or even natural or chemically made. My project is going to be focusing on which type of preservative is the most effective and if there is any possible way of creating my own preservative. Thank you so much for your interest, and thank you for the link!

Hello!

I wasn't able to find any information on when exactly in the process that the preservative is added, but the type of preservative used can be found on the websites of many major cosmetic companies (Neutrogena for example). In terms of the types of preservative that may be best, there is a company that actually guides people on how to make cosmetics. This website also has a link on what are common types of preservatives that are used in the industry, so it should help you when you are testing for the most effective type.

http://www.makingcosmetics.com/How-to-P ... ep_58.html

Hope this helps!

-Surya