Why do preservatives, the ingredients that keep products safe, have such a bad reputation? Without preservatives, skincare products would last no more than two weeks, even in the fridge, before becoming a playground for bacteria. Instead of clear, healthy skin, you’d end up with moldy skincare!
If a brand claims their product is “preservative-free” with a shelf life beyond two weeks, it’s misleading. Sometimes, essential oils are used as natural preservatives in “green” cosmetics. While that might sound ideal for eco-conscious consumers, it comes with risks:
- Essential oils can increase skin sensitivity.
- Mixed with acids, they may even cause skin burns due to enhanced absorption.
This fear of preservatives also stems from some truly harmful ones that release formaldehyde, which unfortunately can be found in professional cosmetics and are known to cause allergies, itching, and hypersensitivity. Some of the worst offenders include Diazolidinyl urea, DMDM hydantoin, Quaternium-15, and 5-bromo-5-nitro-1,3-dioxane.
In our products, we’re committed to not using these harmful preservatives or essential oils.
Of course, individual reactions vary, even to safe preservatives or popular ingredients like centella. But in all our experience, only a handful of clients have reported sensitivity to our products.
We also avoid fragrance, dyes, and any potential irritants. Remember: No product is universally perfect for every single person. However, with the right preservative balance, we aim to make skincare that’s safe, stable, and effective.
