Preservatives have been added to beauty products for as long as consumers can remember. With the sole purpose of extending the shelf life of the products they inhibit, preservatives had raised no cause for concern. However, with consumer trends leaning towards self-banning any form of chemical meant to prolong a product’s usage such as parabens and sulfates, the question of whether preservatives are good for the consumers is raised. 

There are two types of preservatives, synthetic and natural. Synthetic ones are made from chemical compounds such as parabens and formaldehyde. On the other hand, natural preservatives are derived from actual organic matter such as plants and minerals. A famous ingredient in cosmetic products, salicylic acid, is a natural preservative extracted from willow bark. Preservatives do more than just slow down the aging of a product, they also protect the consumer by preventing microbial and bacterial growth, so that the product is not contaminated. 

If preservatives are so necessary, then what exactly is the problem? Their synthetic counterpart has been linked to causing allergic reactions and disrupting the skin. Parabens especially are said to be endocrine disruptors, which interfere with hormones,  and have reproductive toxicity. As the most popular preservative on the market, “paraben free” products are the most sought after because of this revelation. Furthermore, concerns arise as formaldehyde is used in US cosmetics. This compound is heavily restricted and regulated in the European Union, and banned in cosmetics products in Japan and Sweden. This is because it has been listed as a skin irritant and a possible carcinogen, as it can be damaging to stem cells. The regulations in the United States are not as strict as in the EU, therefore, there are many ingredients in cosmetics that consumers are not aware of that have side effects. 

Although preservatives have troubling side effects, it is not recommended to stop using them completely. Preservatives are especially needed in water-soluble products as those are the most susceptible to bacteria growth without it. However, products that are solid such as butters, balms, and body oils may not require it as much. Some may think that natural preservatives are better than synthetic ones, however they all work the same. Rather than that, another alternative is to look for products with more natural ingredients, not preservatives, that are self-preserving such as glycerin. 

The clean movement has propelled the disinterest in preservatives with consumers gravitating towards any product that is non-synthetic. However, just because it is natural does not mean it is doing its necessary job. Preservatives are needed in products, whether they are natural or synthetic, as long as consumers choose the right type of ingredient that works best for their body and skin. With more information on preservatives, consumers will know how to make more informed choices in their journey towards finding their favorite product – the one that works best for each person’s skin.  

Works Cited

Api, Shopify. “Preservatives in Skincare: What You Need to Know.” Esmi Skin, www.esmiskin.com/blogs/esmi-skin-central/preservatives-in-skincare-what-you-need-to-know.

Formaldehyde | Medical Management Guidelines | Toxic Substance Portal | ATSDR. wwwn.cdc.gov/Tsp/MMG/MMGDetails.aspx?mmgid=216&toxid=39.

Głaz, Patrycja, et al. “Effect of Commonly Used Cosmetic Preservatives on Healthy Human Skin Cells.” Cells, vol. 12, no. 7, Apr. 2023, p. 1076. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells12071076.

Kang, Doo Seok, et al. “Formaldehyde Exposure and Leukemia Risk: A Comprehensive Review and Network-based Toxicogenomic Approach.” Genes and Environment, vol. 43, no. 1, Apr. 2021, https://doi.org/10.1186/s41021-021-00183-5.

Nowak, Karolina, et al. “Parabens and Their Effects on the Endocrine System.” Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, vol. 474, Mar. 2018, pp. 238–51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mce.2018.03.014.

Safe Cosmetics. “Preservatives – Safe Cosmetics.” Safe Cosmetics, 26 Apr. 2022, www.safecosmetics.org/chemicals/preservatives.

“Why Natural Preservatives for Cosmetics Is Better.” Codex Labs Corp, 20 Jan. 2023, www.codexlabscorp.com/blogs/skincare/why-natural-preservatives-for-cosmetics-is-better?srsltid=AfmBOorYw_m9jsjSBX2IJs_yJEu7zetrcsBj88NILJPO9UD45-Hp6ham.