Preservatives

Hi! What are you using to preserve your homemade butter mixes? I have heard about honey ( I've tried adding 1 tablespoon but the mix was a tad bit sticky) and vitiman e oil ( unsure about IU's or the amount needed). I normally mix about 4oz of shea butter with about 4-5oz (combined) of aloe vera gel, oils, and veg. glycerin.

But she is including water based things like Glycerin and Aloe Vera Gel.

I use Germaben II E for mixtures with mostly oils and butters.
Germaben Plus for mostly water based mixtures
LiquaPar is good for all oil based things that will come into contact with water, like sugar scrubs, lotion bars, conditioner bars, etc.
Optiphen is a good preservation if you want to avoid parabens and formaldehyde.

Although at the volume (.1 to 1.5%, depending on the preservative) you should use preservatives, paraben and formaldehyde exposive is very minimal. (My opinion) That is better than some of the beasties that grow in unpreserved (even refrigerated) mixtures.

But she is including water based things like Glycerin and Aloe Vera Gel.

I use Germaben II E for mixtures with mostly oils and butters.
Germaben Plus for mostly water based mixtures
LiquaPar is good for all oil based things that will come into contact with water, like sugar scrubs, lotion bars, conditioner bars, etc.
Optiphen is a good preservation if you want to avoid parabens and formaldehyde.

Although at the volume (.1 to 1.5%, depending on the preservative) you should use preservatives, paraben and formaldehyde exposive is very minimal. (My opinion) That is better than some of the beasties that grow in unpreserved (even refrigerated) mixtures.

ChrsLvsBks wrote:I think you are okay since you are not including water.

Madeaj wrote:But she is including water based things like Glycerin and Aloe Vera Gel.

I use Germaben II E for mixtures with mostly oils and butters.
Germaben Plus for mostly water based mixtures
LiquaPar is good for all oil based things that will come into contact with water, like sugar scrubs, lotion bars, conditioner bars, etc.
Optiphen is a good preservation if you want to avoid parabens and formaldehyde.

Although at the volume (.1 to 1.5%, depending on the preservative) you should use preservatives, paraben and formaldehyde exposive is very minimal. (My opinion) That is better than some of the beasties that grow in unpreserved (even refrigerated) mixtures.

Thanks

Vitamin E oil always work great for my concoctions

I use Raw Honey in my shea mixtures and have also used Rosemary EO and Tea Tree EO; both are good preservatives. Raw Honey is not as sticky as the regular honey and blends well with mixtures. I even put some in my aloe vera juice spritzer along with a few oils to moisturize my hair.

An excellent reason to use preservatives. When Mold Strikes!

Madeaj wrote:An excellent reason to use preservatives. When Mold Strikes!

Good article! I will be more diligent with the use of perservatives from now on. Tea tree oil and honey just isnt enough.