By Chantel Mashiane

Last Sunday, Chemical & Engineering News (C&EN) reported that personal care companies globally are continuing their search for new cosmetic preservatives, from those used in food.

This is due to the most frequently used preservatives causing cancer and respiratory failure.

“FDA’s cosmetic recall database lists a half-dozen other cases of contaminated cosmetics since June. The recalls involve batches of baby wash, body care products, and tattoo inks with high levels of potentially harmful microbial organisms.” reported C&EN.

The large amount of preservatives that have been banned, resulted in cosmetic companies turning to the food industry for their preservatives in order to save their products.

Author Kim Erickson was quoted by the DailyMail saying “the same poisons that pollute the environment, from dioxins to petrochemicals, can be found in the average bathroom cabinet.”

Preservatives are meant to prevent the growth of harmful microorganisms in products such as cosmetics. The preservatives such as Benzoic acid is no different from those found in cranberries.

A personal care technical marketing manager, Nicolas Lasbistes “calls the growing use of food preservatives in cosmetics the ‘skin food trend.’ The idea is that if it’s good to eat, it should be good for my skin,” reported C&EN.

“Leading to the discoveries that have been made of harmful preservatives, Evonik Industries has taken the initiative of purchasing Dr Straetsmans to include their verstatil preservatives brand in our portfolio on providing safe, sustainable and quality raw materials,” said Obakeng Rabuthu, an Applied Technologist at Evonik Africa.

The cosmetics industry has entered an age where consumers are more likely to read the ingredients of products, as the market is becoming increasingly cautious about what they are applying to their hair and their bodies.