Hurdle Technology for Cosmetic and Drug Preservation

Although Kabara was an early champion of a ‘‘system approach’’ to product preservation, the concept was poorly understood or accepted. A better way to convey the ‘‘system approach’’ was to introduce the term ‘‘hurdle technology.’’ Hurdle technology employs the intelligent combination of different preservative factors or techniques to achieve multitarget, mild but reliable preservation effects. Many promising hurdles have been identified. Application of hurdle technology has been largely restricted to the food industry; however, consumers are demanding more natural products. This has prompted cosmetic/drug manufacturers to use milder preservation techniques without classical preservatives.