ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the reasons why antimicrobial preservation is required; the possible effects of no, or inadequate, preservation; and highlights the most commonly used preservatives available to solve the problem. It considers both human and environmental safety. The preservation system must be as safe as possible. Cosmetic products susceptible to microbial growth must be preserved for aesthetic reasons, but also, more important, for consumer safety. Emulsion-based products, such as moisturisers, tend to contain higher levels of nutrient sources than most other product types and, as a consequence, tend to require most robust protection from microbial growth. The most effective and consistent means of establishing the efficacy of a preservation system is to subject the product to a microbial challenge test. In order to determine the usefulness of a preservative, or a preservation system, it is important to understand the attributes required for successful preservation of a product.
