Tel: +86 13962653966 | Email： sales@szeasychem.com
Tel: +86 13962653966 | Email： sales@szeasychem.com
In today’s clean-beauty era, there is one request that formulators hear over and over again:
“Can you make it preservative-free?”
To many consumers, “preservatives” have become a trigger word — something to be avoided, feared, or replaced by “natural” alternatives. In their minds:
Preservatives = Harsh
Preservatives = Unsafe
Preservatives = Chemicals to avoid
But reality tells a different story.
The safest product is not the one without preservatives — but the one using the right safe preservatives.
As a professional preservative manufacturer focused on personal care and home care formulations, we understand a fundamental truth:
A formula without a preservation system is the most unsafe formula of all.
Creams, shampoos, serums, wet wipes, liquid detergents…
What do they all have in common?
Water + nutrients = A paradise for microbes
Bacteria, yeast, and mold are everywhere — in the factory, in packaging, and especially on consumers’ hands.
Without safe preservatives, contamination can lead to:
Color changes
Bad odor
Mold growth
Loss of active ingredient effectiveness
Skin irritation or even infection
This is not an industry myth.
Every year, regulatory agencies around the world recall “natural” “organic” or “clean” products because microbial contamination exceeds safety limits.
True consumer safety = formula safety + microbiological safety.
So, the goal is not zero preservatives, but safe preservatives used properly and efficiently.
A safe preservative is not defined by absence but by performance and skin compatibility:
Effective against microbes Mild and skin-friendly Globally compliant Broadly compatible with diverse formulations Aligned with modern clean-beauty values Used at minimum effective concentration
Modern preservation strategies have evolved:
| Old preservation mindset | New preservation mindset |
|---|---|
| Kill as strongly as possible | Protect skin barrier, minimize irritation |
| Single strong chemical | Synergistic blend (low-dose, broad spectrum) |
| Cost-only decisions | Safety, compliance, and consumer trust first |
This is the direction where every expert preservative manufacturer is investing — moving from “harsh kill” to mild, smart preservation systems.
It comes from three common misconceptions:
| Misconception | Reality |
|---|---|
| All preservatives are harmful | Safe preservatives are fully evaluated by toxicity & clinical data |
| Preservative-free = healthier | No protection = higher risk of infection |
| Less preservative is always better | Optimal dosage, not zero, ensures safety |
It takes time to educate the market,
but with science and transparency, we can help consumers understand what safety truly means.
The industry has entered a new era driven by:
Clean beauty & low-toxicity expectations
Stricter cosmetic regulations worldwide
Growing demand for “sensitive skin safe”
Sustainability and biodegradability trends
So the question is no longer:
“Should we use preservatives?”
But rather:
“Which safe preservatives should we trust for modern formulations?”
When selecting a preservation solution, evaluate via 5 critical dimensions:
Regulatory compliance
Is it allowed globally? Safe for baby/sensitive skin?
Minimum effective dose
High efficiency at very low concentration = safer perception + better tolerability.
Compatibility
Does it work across required pH, surfactants, oils, proteins, packaging?
Consumer perception
No smell, non-sensitizing, label-friendly.
Reliable supply & consistent quality
Work with a professional preservative manufacturer to ensure stability and ongoing compliance.
Safety is not delivered by one ingredient — it comes from a complete strategy.
Below are modern preservation choices used globally — mild, effective, and aligned with clean-label trends:
• Sodium Benzoate – protects against fungi & bacteria
• Potassium Sorbate – gentle, food-grade preservative
• Ethylhexylglycerin – boosts antimicrobial performance
• Phenoxyethanol – widely used, safe within regulated limits
• Caprylyl Glycol – multifunctional; supports moisturization
• Gluconolactone + Sodium Benzoate – mild, ECOCERT-friendly choice
• PE91 (Phenoxyethanol + Ethylhexylglycerin blend) – clean-label, skin-friendly, highly versatile; ideal for modern formulations
• PHMB (Polyhexamethylene Biguanide) – ultra-efficient antimicrobial at low dosage, stable and safe across wide pH levels
The best safe preservatives system depends on:
Product type (serum, shampoo, wet wipes…)
pH
Presence of active ingredients
Packaging
Target market regulations
Cost strategy
That’s why the right approach is customization, not imitation.
Which preservatives do you rely on most in your current formulations?
If you’re testing new preservation strategies, our technical team is happy to support you with samples, TDS, and formulation guidance.
| Application | Recommended Safe Preservatives System | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Facial & body skincare (creams, lotions) | PE91 blends or mild synergistic systems | Broad-spectrum, excellent compatibility, sensitive-skin friendly |
| Shampoo & body wash | CMIT/MIT compliant low-dose blends or non-releasing alternatives | Meets regulatory limits while staying cost-effective |
| Water-rich makeup bases | PHMB synergistic systems | Low allergenicity, strong antimicrobial durability |
| Home cleaning & sanitizer | Broad-spectrum quaternary-ammonium systems | Rapid antimicrobial action for household protection |
Our expertise as a preservative manufacturer ensures the smallest effective dose for maximum safety and cost control.
Formulators and preservative suppliers must work together on three core messages:
| Communication focus | Consumer concern | Suggested wording |
|---|---|---|
| Why a preservative system is needed | “Is it safe?” | “Protecting your skin from harmful bacteria & contamination.” |
| What preservative system is used | “Is it toxic?” | “Using internationally verified safe preservatives.” |
| Is the dosage safe? | “Too much chemical?” | “Well below global safety limits.” |
When you clearly explain:
Why it’s needed + What it is + Why it’s safe
consumers become much more confident.
Nobody buys a product just because it has preservatives.
But many consumers will avoid a product if it doesn’t.
Safety is not a yes/no choice.
It is about selecting the safest option available today.
One-stop supply of safe preservatives Global regulatory registration support Laboratory services: formulation advice & challenge testing Robust quality system to ensure stability Cost optimization by formula efficiency + logistics planning
You simply provide:
Product category
pH range
Target market (regulation)
Price positioning
We deliver the optimal safe preservatives system — balancing cost, compliance, and consumer safety.
Our answer:
We can make it truly safe — not preservative-free.
Clean beauty begins with wise ingredient choices, and
safe preservatives are a core part of responsible formulation.
So next time someone asks:
“Do you have a preservative-free version?”
You can confidently reply:
We use scientifically validated safe preservatives To ensure long-lasting safety and peace of mind
Our answer:
We can make it truly safe — not preservative-free.
Clean beauty begins with wise ingredient choices, and
safe preservatives are a core part of responsible formulation.
So next time someone asks:
“Do you have a preservative-free version?”
You can confidently reply:
We use scientifically validated safe preservatives To ensure long-lasting safety and peace of mind
Let’s work together to bring safer, cleaner, and more transparent products to the world.
sales@szeasychem.com
Suzhou Easy Chemical Co., Ltd.
Your trusted preservative manufacturer for modern, safer formulations.
Let’s build a more sustainable and microbiologically safe future — one product at a time.
388, Dengyun Road,Kunshan, Jiangsu, China
Email: sales@szeasychem.com
Contact： Joyce Yu
MB: +86 13962653966
Whatsapp&Wechat: +86 13962653966
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