new to lotions and to preserve or not preserve

[krisac]

Hello,
I am new to the forum. I am wanting to make lotions to sell in my little shop. I am reading a lot about shelf life and preservatives like Germaben or Phenonip that would extend shelf life to six months. Looking for opinions and ideas on the best places to get ingredients. I had no Idea there was so much out there.
Thanks So much Kristina

 

[dragonlaurel]

I avoid buying or using anything with parabens. Skin absorbs lotions and beauty products, so so I use ingredient that are safe, and sometimes make my own grooming products.

Germaben II: Propylene Glycol, Diazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben, Propylparaben.
Phenonip: Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Butylparaben, Propylparaben, Isobutylparaben

GSE-Citrus Seed Extract, Vitamins: A, C and E are preservatives that are safer.

 

[curly_kate]

I use grapefruit seed extract and vitamin E in my lotions, and haven't had any get moldy so far, but I haven't been doing it THAT long yet.

 

[Marianne]

I have nothing to offer, but welcome!

Please take a moment to introduce yourself over at the 'where am I' part of the index, k?

 

[FarmerChick]

I tried lotions. Bleck--alot of work and alot of mess for me. But I didn't research much into it cause I was overloaded with farm work at the time and thought, screw getting into lotions, I don't have the time LOL

yea you need a type of preservative definitely or the shelf life is short. The lotions go rancid fast.

Plus when people use my natural soaps you almost never need lotions. skin stays so soft and supple without harsh chemicals and alot of my customers said they cut down on lotion usage a ton.


good luck and hope it works out for you.

 

[Bettacreek]

GSE-Citrus Seed Extract, Vitamins: A, C and E are preservatives that are safer.

These are not preservatives. They help to prevent oxidation of the oils themselves, however that is not the purpose of preservatives. Adding water to your oils and goodies gives microorganisms a great medium to thrive in. You need a broad spectrum preservative to combat MO's AND a good tocopherol to prevent oxidization. So, in short, you need both. Hence why I have not gotten into lotions yet... I'm waiting for someone to figure out a natural PRESERVATIVE that works.

 

[dragonlaurel]

I make blends of essential oils with other oils for my own use, but I don't add water to any of them. Making small amounts at a time works for me too.

Each person can decide which chemicals they don't mind having in -or- on their body. I don't buy or make anything with parabens.

 

[Bettacreek]

That's certainly true, but if you're selling, don't make lotions without a preservative. Make body butters or solid lotion bars, without water or fluid added. If you sell preservative-free lotions, you're setting yourself up for failure and quite possibly a lawsuit later down the road.

 

[Wifezilla]

Exactly. Any time you add water to the mix you are opening yourself up to issues. I don't sell lotions but make them for myself. Body butters is the way I do it. Lotions with water in them just tend to make my skin more chapped anyway.