Eight little natural preservatives to look for in cosmetics

By now you should know that we’re all for natural ingredients and organic products- and we truly believe that this is a reasonable way to live! What you put on your skin shows on the inside, and what you put into your body shows on the outside too. This is your body- why wouldn’t you treat it as kindly as possible? This week we’re looking at eliminating toxic preservatives in your cosmetics, and replacing them with natural ingredients instead. Here’s a quick guide to natural preservatives to look for in cosmetics.

Eight little natural preservatives to look for in your cosmetis~ LittleSoapCompany.co.uk

Why do we need preservatives in our skin care products?

Put simply, preservatives are there so that your products last a little longer than they should. This gives value for money and saves you having to replace them as often. Preservatives prevent mould and bacteria growth and halt chemical changes in your products. Natural preservatives don’t tend to last as long as their chemical adversaries, so they aren’t used as often by manufacturers. But that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be used!

Which preservatives to look for in your natural cosmetics…

These are our top eight little natural preservatives to look for, in no particular order. They tend to be a little more expensive to use, but they are a LOT kinder to your skin and therefore a lot better in the long run.

  • Neem oil- a powerful medicinal oil that has been used for centuries to treat infections, skin conditions and swelling. This stuff is loaded with nutrients and anti-oxidants that make it a powerful weapon against anti-aging. And not a chemical in sight.
  • Salt. This also makes a great exfoliant for the skin and is a choice ingredient if you suffer from acne or eczema because it has anti-inflammatory properties to help soothe the skin. Salt has been used as a preservatives as far back as ancient Egyptian times- so if it isn’t broken, why try to fix it?
  • Honey. Yes, we LOVE honey! And what’s not to love- it has so many wonderful properties when it comes to skin care! Not only will it moisturise and soothe, but honey will also act as a natural preservative too. The high levels of sugar found in honey mean that micro-organisms are unable to live in it- so bacteria cannot grow.
  • Vinegar is a super ingredient all the way around the house, and that includes the bathroom. Vinegar in cosmetics will control the Ph of the product, and ensure that it is kind to your skin. Clever, huh?
  • Sugar is another super ingredient, cheaply bought and widely used in cosmetics. It works by inhibiting bacterial growth- and can be used as a wonderful exfoliator too!
  • Rosemary extract- this powerhouse derived from the herb helps to slow down the ageing process and can protect against UV damage too. Rosemary is also well known to be an effective perservative due to it’s antibacterial and antimicrobial properties.
  • Grapeseed extract is a natural antiseptic, disinfectant and preservative. So perfect for use in natural cosmetics! It has strong healing properties so works well to soothe irritated skin.
  • Vitamin E- a powerful anti-oxidant and nutrient and known to dramatically increase the performance of skin care products.
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