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Natural antimicrobials for a post-biotic future

The synergy between the skin and its individual network of commensal microflora is a trending topic and the market is quickly becoming saturated with different probiotic products targeted towards skin care.

However, there is a distinct conflict between the addition of live bacteria to a formulation, the legal requirements of a safely preserved cosmetic product and the subsequent effects on sensitive skin and the microbiome. With consumer and regulatory pressure changing how people seek to preserve products, not just in personal care but across many markets ranging from food to fertilisers, emerging ‘non-preservative’ technologies are taking centre stage. 

The challenge

In personal care, we use preservatives in order to prevent microbial contamination of a product during its foreseeable life in use by the end consumer. In Europe, we have a clearly defined list of permissible preservatives as described in Annex V of the EU Cosmetics Directive. These more traditional preservatives are highly effective and relatively easy to use. So, formulators have grown very comfortable with this list and can preserve a product without much adjustment or tinkering to the formulation. Although these systems are extremely effective at keeping a product clean and safe none are intelligent enough to distinguish between the ‘bad’ bacteria, that can contaminate a cosmetic product, and the ‘good’ bacteria, of the skin microbiome. 

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Upcoming Events

in-cosmetics Global

Paris Expo Porte de Versailles
16th – 18th April 2024

NYSCC Suppliers' Day 2024

Javits Center, New York
1st - 2nd May 2024

9th Anti-Ageing Skin Care Conference

Royal College of Physicians, London
25th - 26th June 2024

in-cosmetics Korea 2024

Hall C, Coex, Seoul, South Korea
24th - 26th July 2024

in-cosmetics Latin America 2024

São Paulo, Brazil
25th - 26th September 2024

IFSCC 2024

Recanto das Cataratas Thermas Resort, Iguazu Falls, Brazil
14th - 17th October 2024

Access the latest issue of Personal Care Magazine on your mobile device together with an archive of back issues.

Download the FREE Personal Care Magazine app from your device's App store

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