Preservative Ingredients

Benzyl Alcohol

Fair

A preservative and light fragrance that also dissolves ingredients.

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Caprylyl Glycol

Great

A hydrating ingredient that also helps preserve formulas.

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Colloidal Silver

Poor

Suspended silver particles sometimes used for freshness; benefits unproven.

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Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate

Great

An antioxidant that keeps oils in a formula from turning rancid.

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Propylparaben

Great

A preservative that protects products from microbial growth.

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Sodium Benzoate

Great

A common preservative that keeps products from spoiling.

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Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate

Great

A biodegradable ingredient that traps metals to keep formulas fresh.

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Tetrasodium Iminodisuccinate

Great

Binds trace metals to help cleansers and lotions stay stable and clear.

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Trisodium Dicarboxymethyl Alaninate

Great

A biodegradable ingredient that binds metals to keep formulas stable.

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Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate

Great

A biodegradable metal-binder that keeps formulas stable and unspoiled.

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Benzoate

Good

A preservative that keeps products from spoiling.

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Benzoic Acid

Good

A preservative that fights bacteria and mold in low-pH products.

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Butylparaben

Good

A preservative that keeps products from spoiling.

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Caprylhydroxamic Acid

Good

A preservative that helps keep formulas free of microbes.

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Capryloyl Glycine

Good

Helps balance oil and reduce the look of blemishes gently.

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Chlorphenesin

Good

A preservative that keeps water-based products fresh and stable.

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Decylene Glycol

Good

A moisture-binding ingredient that also helps preserve formulas.

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Dehydroacetic Acid

Good

A preservative that keeps formulas from spoiling.

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Dipotassium EDTA

Good

A stabilizer that keeps formulas clear and consistent over time.

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Disodium EDTA and Triethanolamine

Good

A pairing that balances pH and keeps cleansers stable.

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Disodium EDTA-Copper

Good

A copper-EDTA complex that helps prevent product discoloration.

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Ethyl Hexanediol Chlorphenesin

Good

A preservative blend that keeps formulas free of microbial growth.

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Ethylhexylglycerin

Good

A multitasker that boosts preservatives and softens skin's feel.

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Ethylparaben

Good

A preservative that helps products stay fresh on the shelf.

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Gluconolactone (and) Sodium Benzoate

Good

A mild preservative blend that keeps products fresh and safe to use.

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Glyceryl Caprate

Good

A plant-based ingredient that helps keep formulas fresh and skin soft.

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Glyceryl Caprylate

Good

A gentle preservative helper that also leaves skin feeling soft.

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Glyceryl Laurate

Good

An emulsifier that spreads evenly and supports product freshness.

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Glyceryl Undecylenate

Good

A castor-derived ingredient that helps preserve products and soften skin.

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Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate

Good

A preservative used at low levels to keep formulas fresh.

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Levulinic Acid

Good

A natural acid used to fight odor-causing microbes in formulas.

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Methylheptylglycerin

Good

A conditioning ingredient that helps preserve formulas and soften skin.

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Methylparaben

Good

A common preservative that keeps products fresh and effective longer.

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O-Cymen-5-Ol

Good

A preservative that keeps formulas fresh and controls unwanted odor.

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P-Anisic Acid

Good

A preservative booster that helps keep formulas fresh for longer.

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Phenethyl Alcohol

Good

A floral-scented alcohol that also helps keep formulas fresh.

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Phenoxyethanol

Good

A common preservative that keeps products fresh and free of microbes.

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Phenoxyethanol Ethyl Hexyl Glycerin

Good

A mild preservative duo that keeps formulas fresh and stable.

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Phenylisohexanol

Good

A fragrance ingredient that also helps extend a product's shelf life.

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Phenylpropanol

Good

An aromatic alcohol that helps guard formulas against microbial growth.

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Polylysine

Good

A fermentation-derived preservative that keeps formulas fresh.

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Populus Tremuloides (Aspen Bark) Extract

Good

Aspen bark extract that helps preserve formulas and softens skin.

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Potassium Benzoate

Good

A preservative that keeps water-based products fresh longer.

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Potassium Sorbate

Good

A preservative that keeps formulas fresh by limiting yeast and mold.

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Sodium Anisate

Good

A plant-derived preservative that helps keep products fresh.

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Sodium Dehydroacetate

Good

A preservative that helps control microbial growth in products.

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Sodium Levulinate

Good

A preservative that helps keep formulas free of microbial growth.

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Sodium Phytate

Good

A plant-derived chelator that helps keep formulas fresh and stable.

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Sorbic Acid

Good

A preservative that helps stop mold and yeast from growing.

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Sorbitan Caprylate

Good

A multitasking ingredient that helps emulsify and preserve formulas.

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Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate

Good

Keeps oils and fragrance from going stale so products stay fresh longer.

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Tetrasodium EDTA

Good

Binds trace metals in a formula to keep it stable, clear, and fresh.

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Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate

Good

Helps control pH and trace metals so formulas stay stable and consistent.

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Tripotassium EDTA

Good

Binds trace metals to help formulas stay clear, stable, and effective.

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Tris-Bht Mesitylene

Good

An antioxidant blend that slows oxidation to keep products fresh.

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Trisodium EDTA

Good

Binds trace metals to prevent discoloration and boost preservation.

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Acetic Acid

Fair

Vinegar's main component, used to balance pH and keep formulas fresh.

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Benzalkonium Chloride

Fair

A preservative that keeps products fresh but can irritate some skin.

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Biguanide

Fair

A class of preservatives that stop microbes from growing in products.

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Bronopol

Fair

A preservative that keeps water-based products from spoiling.

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Chlorhexidine Digluconate

Fair

An antimicrobial preservative that keeps water-based formulas from spoiling.

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Chloroxylenol

Fair

A preservative that keeps products free of bacteria and fungus.

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Diazolidinyl Urea

Fair

A preservative that fights microbes but can irritate some skin.

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Galactaric Acid

Fair

A sugar-derived acid that helps keep formulas fresh and stable.

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Heptasodium Hexacarboxymethyl Dipeptide-12

Fair

A peptide-based ingredient that binds metals to keep formulas stable.

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Hexamidine Diisethionate

Fair

A preservative that fights bacteria and may support clearer-looking skin.

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Hydroxyhydrocinnamate

Fair

An antioxidant that helps keep formulas fresh and stable over time.

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Imidazolidinyl Urea

Fair

A preservative that keeps formulas fresh by fighting microbial growth.

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Leuconostoc (Radish Root) Ferment Filtrate

Fair

A radish ferment used as a natural preservative to keep products fresh.

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Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Lysate Filtrate

Fair

A gentle radish ferment used to help preserve formulas naturally.

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Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract

Fair

A honeysuckle extract that adds floral scent and light conditioning.

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Nitropropane-1,3-Diol

Fair

A preservative that helps keep water-based formulas free of contamination.

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Polyaminopropyl Biguanide

Fair

A preservative used at low levels to keep water-based products fresh.

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Propyl Gallate

Fair

An antioxidant that keeps oils in formulas from turning rancid.

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Pulsatila Korean Extract

Fair

This botanical extract helps preserve formulas and softens skin.

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Sodium Bisulfite

Fair

An antioxidant salt that protects formulas from oxidizing.

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Sodium Metabisulfite

Fair

An antioxidant preservative that can irritate sensitive skin.

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Sodium Sulfite

Fair

An antioxidant that helps prevent products from oxidizing over time.

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Thymol

Fair

A thyme-derived compound used for scent and to help preserve formulas.

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Tropolone

Fair

A preservative that binds metals and helps products last longer.

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Usnea Barbata (Lichen) Extract

Fair

A lichen extract that helps preserve formulas and lightly condition skin.

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Dmdm Hydantoin

Poor

A preservative that can release formaldehyde and may irritate skin.

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Glutaral

Poor

A strong preservative that fights microbes but may irritate skin.

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Glyoxal

Poor

A preservative that fights microbes but may irritate sensitive skin.

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Hypochlorite Ion

Poor

A strong antimicrobial rarely used in skincare due to irritation risk.

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Methylisothiazolinone

Poor

A preservative that keeps formulas fresh, though it can irritate some skin.

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Quaternium-15

Poor

This preservative keeps products fresh but can trigger sensitivities.

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