Preservative use in scrubs

[amillion3147]

Okay I am still quite confused on this. I have heard that when making a scrub it's best to preserve it based on the total oil amount in the recipe. I was going by the theory that it's best to preserve the total weight of the formulation(oils including sugar). What is the correct way of thinking here? I just can't understand why you would only want to preserve the oils and not the sugar since it is included as part of the formula and one where water will most likely get introduced into it. I have a formula that I have been working on for months and want to get it right as far as assuring it's preserved correctly.

[ah-soy]

I add preservative based on my total oils only. I've never had a problem even in jars that have been used and in my shower for over two years. I test them every few weeks with the Snowdrift Farms kit. I use optiphen plus.

[Kitn]

I add preservative to the oils , I use optiphen as well .

[amillion3147]

Thanks. I am still trying to determine if there was a reason why.

[bugtussle]

I asked the same question on another forum and was told only oils because the sugar does not disolve and therefore does not need to be preserved. I still use preservative for full wt because sugar can disolve if wet fingers reach into the jar. Carole

[amillion3147]

I guess it can go either way. I just think I feel more comfortable preserving the total formula. Afterall in my directions for use of the preservative it mentions using it at 1% of the total formulation. Thanks all.