Personal Care
Personal Care – Advanced Preservation Solutions
Onnovo’s personal care preservatives include Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Chlorhexidine, and natural alternatives, ensuring product stability, safety, and consumer trust. We carefully evaluate your formulation goals to deliver the RIGHT CHEMISTRY.
Composition of Personal Care Products & Susceptibility to Microbial Contamination
Personal care formulations—ranging from skincare, haircare, and body care products to cosmetics—contain a combination of water, emulsifiers, oils, active ingredients, and botanical extracts. While these components enhance functionality, sensory experience, and efficacy, they also create an ideal environment for microbial growth, leading to:
- Bacterial and fungal contamination due to high water activity in emulsions and aqueous formulations.
- Microbial degradation of active ingredients, affecting stability and shelf-life.
- Risk of spoilage, discoloration, and unpleasant odors in formulations lacking adequate preservation.
Key Ingredients Susceptible to Microbial Attack
- Water-based formulations (lotions, creams, serums, shampoos) – Require broad-spectrum antimicrobial protection.
- Botanical & natural extracts (aloe vera, essential oils, plant-based actives) – Highly prone to microbial contamination.
- Emulsifiers & humectants (glycerin, lecithin, sorbitol) – Can serve as nutrient sources for microbes.
- Proteins & peptides (collagen, keratin, silk proteins) – Require stabilization against bacterial degradation.
Without effective antimicrobial protection, personal care products may suffer from:
- Product Spoilage & Microbial Contamination – Causing texture breakdown, separation, and off-odors.
- Shortened Shelf Life – Unstable formulations losing efficacy before expiry.
- Regulatory Non-Compliance – Failing to meet cosmetic safety standards (EU Cosmetics Regulation, FDA, ISO 11930).
- Consumer Safety Risks – Increased risk of skin irritation, infections, and allergic reactions.
- Brand Reputation Damage – Customer complaints and product recalls can severely impact brand credibility.
Types of Personal Care Products & Their Preservation Needs
Personal care formulations vary significantly in composition, water content, and application, requiring tailored antimicrobial strategies. The preservation approach depends on:
- Product Type – Whether it’s water-based, oil-based, or anhydrous.
- Usage Category – Whether it is a Leave-On or Rinse-Off formulation.
- Storage Conditions & Shelf Life Expectations – Products that remain in warm, humid environments (e.g., bathroom storage) are more prone to microbial contamination.
Key Considerations for Preserving Leave-On vs. Rinse-Off Products
- Leave-On products require gentle yet long-lasting antimicrobial protection, ensuring they remain safe on the skin while maintaining sensory appeal (non-sticky, non-greasy).
- Rinse-Off products must resist microbial contamination in storage, particularly in humid environments where water exposure is frequent.
- Certain product or application have unique preservation demand, for example – Sun Creams (Sunscreens) need specialized preservation due to their exposure to UV light, heat, and humidity, which can accelerate microbial degradation.
| Category | Challenges | Required Protection |
|---|---|---|
| Skincare (Creams, Serums, Lotions, Sun Creams) | Bacterial growth, oxidation, loss of efficacy | Broad-spectrum preservatives, antioxidants |
| Haircare (Shampoos, Conditioners, Styling Products) | Fungal contamination, viscosity changes | Antifungal and antibacterial agents |
| Body Care (Body Wash, Lotions, Deodorants) | Microbial spoilage, pH fluctuations | Multi-functional preservatives |
| Cosmetics (Lipsticks, Foundations, Eye Products) | Spoilage due to natural oils & pigments | Mild, skin-friendly preservatives |
| Baby Care & Sensitive Skin Products | Requires gentle, hypoallergenic preservation | Paraben-free & natural antimicrobials |
The Preservative-Free Concept: Market Trend & Onnovo’s Solution
Growing Consumer Demand for ‘Preservative-Free’ Personal Care Products
In recent years, ‘preservative-free’ claims have gained significant traction in the personal care industry. Consumers, particularly those looking for clean beauty, sensitive skin formulations, and natural skincare, are increasingly concerned about traditional preservatives.
Why Are Brands Moving Toward Preservative-Free Labels?
- Consumer Awareness & Perception – A growing preference for clean-label, ‘free-from’ formulations that avoid synthetic additives.
- Regulatory Pressures & Restrictions – Stricter global regulations on certain preservatives and their allowable limits.
- Allergy & Sensitivity Concerns – Some preservatives have been associated with skin irritation and allergic reactions.
- R&D Innovation – Advancements in alternative formulation technologies that allow for microbial control without conventional preservatives.
Onnovo’s Innovative Approach: Multi-Functional Active Ingredients for Preservative-Free Claims
Onnovo addresses this challenge by offering a range of multi-functional active ingredients that provide antimicrobial benefits but are not classified as preservatives by regulatory bodies (such as EU Cosmetics Regulation and FDA guidelines). This allows manufacturers to achieve microbial stability while labeling their products as ‘preservative-free.’ These ingredients offer primary benefits such as moisturization, emollients, fragrant, etc. while also inhibiting microbial growth. Since they are not officially categorized as preservatives, they enable brands to comply with ‘preservative-free’ claims.
However, you need to partner with an expert to provide the RIGHT options to ensure complete right efficacy and formulation compatibility.
The Rise of Natural & Organic Preservatives in Personal Care
Growing Demand for Natural Preservation Solutions
Consumers are increasingly demanding natural, organic, and ‘clean-label’ beauty products, leading manufacturers to seek alternative preservation strategies. Traditional synthetic preservatives are being reconsidered due to concerns around sensitization, regulatory restrictions, and consumer perception.
Not All Natural or Organic Preservatives Are Safe or Effective
While the demand for natural preservation is rising, not all natural or organic preservatives provide reliable microbial protection. Many alternatives:
- Have limited efficacy against a broad spectrum of microbes, requiring higher concentrations or blends.
- Can impact formulation aesthetics by altering color, texture, or fragrance.
- May introduce new allergen risks, affecting sensitive skin formulations.
- Are not always globally accepted under various regulatory frameworks (e.g., EU, US, ASEAN, ANVISA).
The Need for Expert Guidance in Preservative Selection
Selecting the right natural antimicrobial system requires technical expertise to balance Microbial safety with Formulation stability, Regulatory compliance, and Consumer-friendly claims. This is why personal care manufacturers need to collaborate with experts like Onnovo, who can provide scientifically tested, regulatory-compliant preservation solutions tailored to product needs.
Selecting the RIGHT preservative
The types of Natural Preservatives used in Personal Care range from Organic Acids & Their Salts (Sorbic Acid, Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid), to Essential Oils & Botanical Extracts, Plant-Derived Antimicrobials and more. Choosing the right natural preservative isn’t just about replacing synthetics—it’s about ensuring safe, high-performance formulations that meet market demands.
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Onnovo’s Services & Support for our Customers
At Onnovo, we provide expert support and customized solutions to help personal care manufacturers develop safe, stable, and high-performance formulations.
We ensure full compliance with global cosmetic regulations, including:
- EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC 1223/2009)
- FDA (US) – Cosmetic Safety Standards
- ANVISA (Brazil) – Health Surveillance Agency
- ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (covering regulations for Southeast Asia)
- ISO 11930 – Microbiological testing standards for cosmetics
Our R&D team works with manufacturers to develop tailored antimicrobial solutions and performance additives that align with specific product needs and skin safety requirements.
Onnovo offers advanced microbial testing and stability assessment, ensuring:
- Broad-spectrum protection against bacteria, fungi, and mold.
- Long-term product stability and shelf-life extension.
- Minimal impact on formulation texture, color, and fragrance.
We help manufacturers transition to clean-label, biodegradable, and paraben-free antimicrobial solutions to meet consumer demands for natural and sustainable cosmetics.
Our dedicated technical team assists in:
- Troubleshooting formulation challenges.
- Optimizing preservative efficacy.
- Innovating new antimicrobial solutions for evolving market needs.
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