Preservative
Preservatives keep water-based skincare safe to use by preventing the growth of bacteria, mould and yeast. They are essential for product safety and stability, used at carefully controlled levels.
116 ingredients in this category
2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1,3-Diol
2-BROMO-2-NITROPROPANE-1,3-DIOL
A synthetic preservative that helps prevent microbial contamination in skincare formulations
4-Ethylresorcinol
4-ETHYLRESORCINOL
A resorcinol derivative with purifying and potential skin-lightening properties
Alcohol Denat.
ALCOHOL DENAT.
Denatured alcohol, used as a solvent and to adjust texture
Aluminum Acetate
ALUMINUM ACETATE
An astringent salt that helps reduce excess moisture and supports skin's protective barrier
Aluminum Diacetate
ALUMINUM DIACETATE
A mineral-derived ingredient with purifying and mild astringent properties
Aminolevulinic Acid Hcl
AMINOLEVULINIC ACID HCL
A precursor compound used in photodynamic therapy to target acne-causing bacteria
Behentrimonium Chloride
Behentrimonium chloride is a synthetic or plant-derived skin-
Benzalkonium Chloride
BENZALKONIUM CHLORIDE
A preservative and purifying ingredient with a well-documented irritation profile
Benzisothiazolinone
BENZISOTHIAZOLINONE
A preservative that protects skincare products from microbial contamination
Benzoic Acid
Recognized as a safe, well-tolerated preservative, effective against yeast and mold
Benzyl Alcohol
BENZYL ALCOHOL
A multifunctional preservative and solvent widely used across skincare formulations
Benzyl Benzoate
BENZYL BENZOATE
A preservative and purifying agent used to address mite-related skin conditions
BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid)
Salicylic Acid
Oil-soluble acid for deep pore cleansing
Bifonazole
BIFONAZOLE
A pharmaceutical antifungal, not a cosmetic ingredient
Butylparaben
p-hydroxybenzoic acid (PHBA)
Controversial preservative used in cosmetics
C16-17 Alkyl Benzoate
C16-17 ALKYL BENZOATE
A lightweight ester that conditions skin and improves product texture
Calcium Paraben
CALCIUM PARABEN
A paraben preservative that prevents microbial growth in skincare formulations
Cassytha Filiformis Powder
CASSYTHA FILIFORMIS POWDER
A plant-derived powder with antioxidant and preservative properties
Cetrimonium Bromide
CETRIMONIUM BROMIDE
A preservative and purifying agent that helps maintain product stability and safety
Cetrimonium Chloride
CETRIMONIUM CHLORIDE
A quaternary ammonium preservative that protects formulations from microbial spoilage
Cetrimonium Methosulfate
CETRIMONIUM METHOSULFATE
A quaternary ammonium compound with purifying and conditioning properties
Chamomilla Recutita Flower/Leaf Extract
CHAMOMILLA RECUTITA FLOWER/LEAF EXTRACT
A botanical extract with mild purifying and soothing properties
Chlorhexidine
CHLORHEXIDINE
A broad-spectrum purifying commonly used in oral care and medical antisepsis
Chlorhexidine Digluconate
Preservative used in cosmetics to prevent contamination, particularly in water-based formulas
Chloroacetamide
CHLOROACETAMIDE
A preservative that protects skincare formulations from microbial contamination
Chlorphenesin
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative that inhibits contamination in skin care formulas Extends a product’s shelf life
Ciclopirox Olamine
CICLOPIROX OLAMINE
An purifying agent targeting fungal and bacterial overgrowth on skin
Cinnamosma Fragrans Leaf Oil
CINNAMOSMA FRAGRANS LEAF OIL
A plant-derived oil with purifying properties for blemish-prone skin
Citrus Grandis Extract
CITRUS GRANDIS EXTRACT
A plant extract with purifying and skin-conditioning properties
Climbazole
CLIMBAZOLE
An purifying ingredient used primarily to address dandruff and preserve skincare formulations
Clotrimazole
CLOTRIMAZOLE
An purifying agent used to address fungal-related scalp and skin concerns
Colloidal Gold
COLLOIDAL GOLD
Gold nanoparticles with potential antioxidant and skin-conditioning properties
Colloidal Silver
COLLOIDAL SILVER
An purifying ingredient with a long history in wound care and medical settings
Copper Citrate
COPPER CITRATE
A copper compound with purifying properties, explored for skin clarity
Coptis Japonica Extract
COPTIS JAPONICA EXTRACT
A traditional plant extract with purifying properties and preliminary barrier-support potential
Cutibacterium Acnes Bacteriophages
CUTIBACTERIUM ACNES BACTERIOPHAGES
Bacteriophages that target acne-causing bacteria without disrupting skin microbiome balance
Dehydroacetic Acid
Synthetic preservative
Diazolidinyl Urea
DIAZOLIDINYL UREA
A broad-spectrum preservative that extends the shelf life of skincare formulations
Dichlorophenyl Imidazoldioxolan
DICHLOROPHENYL IMIDAZOLDIOXOLAN
An purifying ingredient that helps regulate excess sebum production
Diglucosyl Gallic Acid
Synthetic antioxidant | Derivative of benzoic acid
Dimethylol Urea
DIMETHYLOL UREA
A preservative system with purifying properties to help maintain product stability
DMDM Hydantoin
Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservative
Synthetic, formaldehyde-releasing preservative
Encapsulated Salicylic Acid
Salicylic Acid
Time-released BHA for gentle yet effective exfoliation
Ethylhexylglycerin
Glycerin
Skin-softening agent with mild humectant (hydration boosting) properties Multitasks with preservative capabilities to improve formulary stability
Ethylparaben
Not available for this ingredient.
Formaldehyde
A preservative that prevents microbial growth in cosmetic formulations
Formic Acid
FORMIC ACID
A preservative and pH regulator used sparingly in skincare formulations
Fullerenes
FULLERENES
A carbon-based antioxidant showing potential for supporting skin resilience and wound repair
Glycerol Formal
GLYCEROL FORMAL
A solvent and preservative that supports ingredient delivery in skincare formulations
Glyoxal
GLYOXAL
A preservative with purifying properties, though evidence for skincare benefits remains limited
Hexamidine Paraben
HEXAMIDINE PARABEN
A synthetic preservative that prevents microbial growth in skincare formulations
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit/Seed Oil
HIPPOPHAE RHAMNOIDES FRUIT/SEED OIL
A nutrient-rich plant oil with purifying and conditioning properties
Hydrogen Peroxide
HYDROGEN PEROXIDE
An purifying oxidising agent with a narrow but specific skincare role
Ichthammol
ICHTHAMMOL
A century-old purifying derived from shale oil, used to calm inflammatory skin conditions
Imidazolidinyl Urea
IMIDAZOLIDINYL UREA
A synthetic preservative that prevents microbial growth in skincare formulations
Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
Iodopropynyl butylcarbamate is a synthetic preservative
Isobutyl Benzoate
ISOBUTYL BENZOATE
A multi-purpose solvent and fragrance ingredient used in skincare formulations
Isobutylparaben
A controversial preservative | Part of the paraben group
Isopropylparaben
ISOPROPYLPARABEN
A paraben preservative that prevents microbial growth in skincare formulations
Itraconazole
ITRACONAZOLE
An purifying agent used to address fungal skin and nail infections
Lapachone
LAPACHONE
A natural quinone compound studied for supporting skin soothing and recovery
Melia Azadirachta Bark Extract
MELIA AZADIRACHTA BARK EXTRACT
A plant-derived purifying traditionally used across multiple soothing systems for skin protection
Methylchloroisothiazolinone
METHYLCHLOROISOTHIAZOLINONE
A synthetic preservative that prevents microbial growth in skincare formulations
Methylene Glycol
METHYLENE GLYCOL
A preservative that converts between formaldehyde and methylene glycol to maintain product stability
Methylisothiazolinone
METHYLISOTHIAZOLINONE
A synthetic preservative that prevents microbial growth in skincare formulations
Miconazole Nitrate
MICONAZOLE NITRATE
An purifying ingredient used to address fungal skin conditions
Murraya Koenigii Leaf Oil
MURRAYA KOENIGII LEAF OIL
A plant-derived preservative and traditional skin-comforting ingredient from Asian herbalism
Myrtrimonium Bromide
MYRTRIMONIUM BROMIDE
A quaternary ammonium preservative that helps maintain product stability and safety
O-Cymen-5-Ol
O-CYMEN-5-OL
A phenolic preservative that protects skincare formulations from microbial contamination
Octenidine Hcl
OCTENIDINE HCL
A synthetic purifying agent used primarily in clinical wound care and antisepsis
Oenanthe Javanica Extract
OENANTHE JAVANICA EXTRACT
A plant extract with purifying and antioxidant properties, traditionally used in skincare
Ovalicin
OVALICIN
A fungal-derived compound investigated for its potential to reduce itching and inflammatory responses
Oxyquinoline Sulfate
OXYQUINOLINE SULFATE
A synthetic purifying that stabilises formulations and helps prevent microbial growth
P-Chloro-M-Cresol
P-CHLORO-M-CRESOL
A phenolic preservative that prevents microbial growth in cosmetic formulations
Permethrin
PERMETHRIN
A topical purifying agent used to treat mite-related skin infestations
Phenol
PHENOL
A preservative and purifying agent used in skincare formulations
Phenylparaben
PHENYLPARABEN
A paraben preservative that protects formulations from microbial contamination
Piroctone Olamine
PIROCTONE OLAMINE
An purifying preservative used primarily to manage scalp conditions and dandruff
Polyaminopropyl Biguanide
Synthetic polymer that functions as a preservative.
Polyoxymethylene Glycol Urea
POLYOXYMETHYLENE GLYCOL UREA
A synthetic preservative that helps protect skincare formulations from microbial growth
Potassium Benzoate
POTASSIUM BENZOATE
A preservative that prevents microbial growth in skincare formulations
Potassium Iodide
POTASSIUM IODIDE
An iodine compound with purifying and soothing properties, historically used in dermatology
Potassium Metabisulfite
POTASSIUM METABISULFITE
A reducing agent and preservative used primarily in hair care and specialty formulations
Potassium Paraben
POTASSIUM PARABEN
A preservative that keeps formulations stable and free from microbial contamination
Propionic Acid
PROPIONIC ACID
A naturally occurring preservative with emerging evidence for supporting skin barrier health
Propyl Benzoate
PROPYL BENZOATE
A preservative and fragrance ingredient with a long history of cosmetic use
Quaternium-15
QUATERNIUM-15
A synthetic preservative that prevents microbial growth in skincare formulations
Salvia Triloba Leaf Extract
SALVIA TRILOBA LEAF EXTRACT
A botanical extract with purifying and astringent properties, traditionally used in skincare formulations
Scutellaria Baicalensis Extract
SCUTELLARIA BAICALENSIS EXTRACT
A plant extract with purifying and antioxidant properties, studied for oil control and skin protection
Silver Chloride
SILVER CHLORIDE
A mineral preservative that helps maintain product stability and shelf life
Silver Citrate
SILVER CITRATE
A silver compound with established purifying and odour-control properties
Silver Oxide
SILVER OXIDE
A silver compound with purifying properties, primarily researched for skin-comforting applications
Sodium Anisate
SODIUM ANISATE
A naturally derived purifying that helps preserve formulations and support skin clarity
Sodium Benzoate
Salt of benzoic acid, which is found naturally in foods like cranberries | Used as a preservative in both cosmetics and food products
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Used as a preservative to prevent formulary spoilage | An organic salt
Sodium Formate
SODIUM FORMATE
A salt-based preservative and pH buffer used in skincare formulations
Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate
SODIUM HYDROXYMETHYLGLYCINATE
A mild preservative that helps prevent microbial growth in skincare formulations
Sodium Iodide
SODIUM IODIDE
An inorganic salt with established purifying properties for use in skincare formulations
Sodium Metabisulfite
Used as a preservative and stabiliser in cosmetic formulations | Also offers antioxidant properties
Sodium Methylparaben
SODIUM METHYLPARABEN
A paraben preservative that prevents microbial growth in skincare formulations
Sodium Paraben
SODIUM PARABEN
A sodium salt preservative that prevents bacterial and fungal growth in skincare formulations
Sodium Salicylate
SODIUM SALICYLATE
A gentler salicylate derivative that may support collagen production with reduced irritation potential
Sodium Trichloroacetate
SODIUM TRICHLOROACETATE
A chemical exfoliant used in professional peeling treatments for pigmentation and texture concerns
Spilanthes Acmella Flower … Stem Extract
SPILANTHES ACMELLA FLOWER/LEAF/STEM EXTRACT
A botanical extract with purifying properties traditionally used in Ayurvedic skincare
Stearalkonium Chloride
STEARALKONIUM CHLORIDE
A multifunctional conditioning agent used to improve product texture and stability
Steartrimonium Chloride
STEARTRIMONIUM CHLORIDE
A quaternary ammonium compound primarily used as a conditioning and antistatic agent
Thiamine Bis-Laurylsulfate
THIAMINE BIS-LAURYLSULFATE
A preservative derived from thiamine that helps maintain product stability and shelf life
Thymus Vulgaris Leaf Oil
THYMUS VULGARIS LEAF OIL
A plant-derived preservative and antioxidant with purifying properties
Triacetin
TRIACETIN
A solvent and film-former that helps deliver actives and stabilise formulations
Triclosan
TRICLOSAN
A synthetic purifying agent used to preserve formulations and reduce odour-causing bacteria
Undecylenoyl PEG-5 Paraben
UNDECYLENOYL PEG-5 PARABEN
A paraben derivative with purifying properties for product preservation
Xylityl Sesquicaprylate
XYLITYL SESQUICAPRYLATE
A multifunctional conditioning agent that supports hydration and formulation stability
Zinc Acetate
ZINC ACETATE
A zinc salt with purifying properties used to help manage bacterial growth on skin
Zinc Citrate
ZINC CITRATE
A zinc compound primarily used in oral care formulations
Zinc Phenolsulfonate
ZINC PHENOLSULFONATE
A zinc compound with purifying and astringent properties for blemish-prone skin
Zinc Undecylenate
ZINC UNDECYLENATE
A zinc salt with purifying properties, used to help manage fungal skin concerns
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