Preservatives & Stabilizers
Preservatives are a kind of additives for food or cosmetic products which enhance longevity and shelf life. Almost all cosmetic products are made using different oils, fats, carbohydrates and water so there is always a risk of microbial growth and spoiling. To prevent this from happening, preservatives like Sodium benzoate and Phenoxyethanol are used.
Sodium benzoate is generally used in conjunction with more versatile preservatives like Potassium Sorbate and Phenoxyethanol because it is not a broad-spectrum preservative. These preservatives are specially designed to be water and alcohol soluble and can extend the lifespan of a product from 6-12 months.
Stabilizers, on the other hand, are used to make sure that the product retains its structural and molecular integrity while in use. Most cosmetic products use a mixture of emulsifiers and stabilizers that are used to make sure that all of its different constituting elements exist in a cohesive manner. Stabilizers make sure that all of the ingredients in a product maintain their chemical activity and do not disrupt the functionality of another ingredient.