Glossary · Formulation
What Is Preservative System?
A preservative system is the combination of antimicrobial ingredients that protects a water-containing cosmetic from microbial growth during storage and use. It is chosen for its spectrum of activity, its compatibility with the formula's pH and other ingredients, and its regulatory status in each destination market.
Why it matters when you source
Preservation is the one formulation decision that cannot be settled by looking at the product, and it is the most common reason a formula is revised for a new market. Ask for challenge-test evidence rather than a preservative name.
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