Jeana Posted July 19, 2005 Share Posted July 19, 2005 I am trying to find a 100% natural lotion to market. I have been making some that have turned out very nice, but so far my batches keep getting moldy. I have been trying to use some of the natural preservatives such as: Rosemary, GSE, and vitamin E. Are there any truly natural preservative that actually work? I was keeping some of the lotion in the fridge, that did increase the shelf life. Does anyone know how long the shelf life is without preservatives in the fridge?Can you actually sell lotion that needs to be kept in the fridge? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairieannie Posted July 22, 2005 Share Posted July 22, 2005 Bumping this back up because I'm interested in any answers that might come up! Anyone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crafty1 Posted July 22, 2005 Share Posted July 22, 2005 same here! doing the BUMP! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashleigh Posted July 23, 2005 Share Posted July 23, 2005 Personally I don't know this but I just wanted to say I dont think I would like to buy a lotion that had to be stored in the fridge I like to carry it in my purse and everything....Ash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KimOCandles Posted July 23, 2005 Share Posted July 23, 2005 I am still new to the lotion business as well, and I too would like a preservative free lotion, so, if there is a more experienced lotion/soap maker out there who can correct me, please speak up. From my research, there just isn't a safe natural preserative out there. Now, I know of a soap maker who makes lotions that she uses GSE and instructs her customers to put in fridge, BUT, what scares me is 1) people don't follow instructions2) shelf life even in fridge-you make it in say January, but don't sell until say May, you are not giving your customer a very good product shelf life (if any)3) this particular soap associate/friend takes her product to shows, in the heat, where yuckies can grow. To me this is just a little too risky.Now, I try to use vit. E and other goodies to help minimize the need for preservatives, but I will still use preservatives (I currently use a base, but am working on formulating my own receipes, the whole preservative thing (and $$) is what is holding me back). I just don't want to take the risk of someone getting a staph infection or something bad because of something growing in my lotion.Anyway, that's my $.02.KimO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bunny Posted July 23, 2005 Share Posted July 23, 2005 Please read both of these articles, they explain it better than I ever could! HTHhttp://www.fromnaturewithlove.com/library/preservatives.asphttp://www.fromnaturewithlove.com/library/preservativecontroversy.aspPlease keep in mind this is only one set on opinions, but do some research and I think you'll find just about the same anywhere you go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairieannie Posted July 23, 2005 Share Posted July 23, 2005 Thanks Bunny. Those articles were very interesting, and further push me in the direction of staying with a lotion base rather than attempting to preserve my own recipe. While there are risks with the pre-preserved bases...I'm willing to take them, as they aren't any higher than the risks we take buying lotion from BBW or anywhere else for that matter. Natural sure is nice, but I can't imagine making lotion and upon selling it to a customer telling them they have to keep it in the frige and use it up within 2 weeks. Wouldn't work at all for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinInOR Posted July 23, 2005 Share Posted July 23, 2005 I think everyone would like a natural preservative. There *are* some that are promising, but I don't think they are generally available to home crafters, or are very expensive.There are preservatives that are paraben free and that aren't formaldehyde donors, so finding one of those might be the closest to "natural" you can get.It's quite an explosive topic you have to figure out what you are willing to risk, for yourself and your customers. I've given up on lotions this year, but was testing Optiphen, and it seemed to be doing well. Edensong I think was testing Biopen? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purple Lilac Posted July 23, 2005 Share Posted July 23, 2005 Citric Acid is a natural perservative - dissolve in into your liquidTea Tree EO is also a natural perservative and also a naturalanti bacterial agent with healing properties. You may have to scent your lotion a little heavier to cover the smell of tea tree but it can be done.Vit E as mentioned is a natural antioxidentgrapefruit seed extract( a by product of the citrus industry, it is all vegetable antioxidant) is also another one - It also contains Vit cand has been known to be Antibacterial and antioxidant among other properties.As with any all natural product products - shelf life is limited - a proper bottle for dispensing is also very important as to not to introduce bacteria into lotion.HTH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebecca Posted July 23, 2005 Share Posted July 23, 2005 http://www.happi.com/current/May043.htmThe Suttocide A and Optiohen are both sold on thesage.comthe Optiphen is a paraben and formaldehyde free perservative. This place also sells the Optiphen and ROE which helps with rancidity.http://www.theherbarie.com/preservatives-antioxidants.html#OptiphenThis place says they can create bases for you that are chemical perservative free through their own special blends of EOs and such but you have to do this via special order and have to order is a certain large amounts.http://www.essentialwholesale.com/HTH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa_1 Posted July 24, 2005 Share Posted July 24, 2005 I am trying to find a 100% natural lotion to market. You could make a solid lotion - or body balm - these contain no water (just oils, butters & waxes) and don't have as many preservation issues as lotions made with water. The solid lotions are what I make - I'm not ready, business wise, to have to deal with preservatives, testing, etc.Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edensong Posted July 28, 2005 Share Posted July 28, 2005 Another thing to keep in mind is that no product should be kept beyond 6 months. I think we've all gotten accustomed to things lasting for years and that's not healthy for our bodies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda Posted July 28, 2005 Share Posted July 28, 2005 It is best to get your (free) book from FDA..The laws are always changing..I did lotions years ago..But, stopped dew to the fact..If you read the guidelines I did not have a factory type place with correct floor drains etc..They required a bit more laws(such as correct labeling etc.etc.(maybe talking about consumer affairs)I'll recheck and give you the toll free number if you need it..Anyways...they require a certain amount of perservative to protect the consumer from bacteria...My advice is to check into places that can do private label for you....Or buy a base that you can just pour into a clean container.. One that has the correct amount required by law..Kind regards,linda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HAPpy Posted February 3, 2008 Share Posted February 3, 2008 I found this website online that carries Tinosan SDC Natural Preservative. I don't know anything about it but they say it is all natural and I would love to know if it works as I too want to make my products "all natural":) .. Here is the site! http://shop.texasnaturalsupply.ieasysite.com/productinfo.aspx?productid=TSDCP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jooniper Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 I found this website online that carries Tinosan SDC Natural Preservative. I don't know anything about it but they say it is all natural and I would love to know if it works as I too want to make my products "all natural":) .. Here is the site! http://shop.texasnaturalsupply.ieasysite.com/productinfo.aspx?productid=TSDCPI am bumping this as I was hoping someone has actually tried the Tinosan SDC and does it work??Thank you!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbv1 Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 This was an interesting article. Note the Editor's Note at the end of the article:http://www.naturalingredient.org/Articles/mulhaupt.htmlI use Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE) at 1% and make my lotion to order. I have NEVER had my lotion get moldy, and it has passed the USP Preservative Effectiveness Challenge Testing. The testing was very expensive so it would take a lot for me to reformulate my lotion and then pay to have it tested again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jooniper Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 Thanks! I have heard ( read ) so many things about the GSE that I was hesitant to try it. I may go for it now that I have read your post. I am interested in the other too. I keep getting requests for "all natural". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soycrazy Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 I use Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE) at 1% and make my lotion to order. I have NEVER had my lotion get moldy, and it has passed the USP Preservative Effectiveness Challenge Testing. The testing was very expensive so it would take a lot for me to reformulate my lotion and then pay to have it tested again.That is great it's nice to know someone is using it. I use it in salves etc., but just for me. I also use it with water to keep mold out and it works really good. Where do you get the testing done? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CareBear Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 Go figure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisR Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 Here's some good discussions you need to read before using GSE as a 'natural' anything!! These are just a few of the many, many great discussions on preservatives. http://www.soapdishforum.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=94467&hl=natural++preservativehttp://www.soapdishforum.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=87155&hl=natural++preservativehttp://www.soapdishforum.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=87155&hl=natural++preservativehttp://www.soapdishforum.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=80830&hl= Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soycrazy Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 Oy Vey :rolleyes2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbv1 Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 That is great it's nice to know someone is using it. I use it in salves etc., but just for me. I also use it with water to keep mold out and it works really good. Where do you get the testing done?I used BioScreen: http://www.bioscreen.com/Their customer service was awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.