Teach Soap

I have been using Phenonip but am looking at Brambleberry and am considering a different preservative. Between Germaben II, Optiphen or Phenonip which one would you recommend? I am looking at Optiphen since it is paraben and formaldehyde free. What do you think?

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Haven

I purchased Optiphen from Brambleberry but haven't had a chance to use it yet. I'm using up the last of my Phenop. I anxious to use it for the same reasons you mentioned. I think it will work just as well.

Be aware that some of these preservatives will not work in some formulas. I can't use Optiphen as it makes my lotion separate.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

Guess I will just stick with Phenonip. I don't want any bad stuff to happen to my lotions.

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Haven

well shoot, i just bought that stuff.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

I have always used Germaben II in my lotions and have never had an issue. I had them lab tested, checked old bottles, put the lotion thru tempature extremes and never a problem. I have lost only one sale that I know of due to the parabens. Most do not even look at the ingredients, they want to see how it goes on and how it smells.

Bruce

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www.homebrewsoaps.etsy.com

Yea, so far no one has looked at the ingredients of my lotions either. You're right, they only care how it goes on and how it feels and smells.

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Haven

I switched to optiphen a few years back and it has been great for me but I use it in my o/w emulsions not w/o. The time I used germaben half of my batch went bad once bottled... But I primarily use that for my body splashes which it works great in. Just gotta try different things some will work better depending on your formula.

What about Suttocide?
Suttocide A

INCI: Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate.

Derived from an amino acid (Glycine), Suttocide A offers the benefits of a water soluble preservative as well as neutralizing agent for acids/acrylic polymers. Having a oH of 10-12, Suttocide can be used to raise the pH of formulations while adequately preserving them, thereby allowing the formulator to eliminate the need for the use of auxiliary alkali in the formulation. It's reasonable cost and low usage rate also make it a desirable ingredient for personal care and cosmetics. Suttocide A should be added during cool down, or cold processed. See Technical Brochure for usage rates depending on application. Citral (a component of some essential orange oils and fragrance oils) WILL react with Suttocide A and effect a color change (light pink to indian paintbrush red) in the formulation.

Or, depending on formula you could use Codmocil CQ and potassiun sorbate which is food grade.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

Another thing worth mentioning is when to add your preservative! Really follow the directions and use a thermometer. If it says you can add it at 80-100 degrees, then wait for your stuff to cool down. If you add it when your formula is too hot you can and will destroy your preservative.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

I always wait for my formula to cool before adding the preservative. I actually had someone this weekend not use my lotion because of the parabens. Only one so far so not a big deal. I will keep doing my research. Maybe try something and see how it works, I don't necessarily have to use it right away so I can test it and see the results. I appreciate all of the info and recommendations.

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Haven

I switched to Optiphen years ago and love it. I use Phenonip in one eye cream recipe but otherwise it's Optiphen. My supplier only carries Optiphen Plus now so I've been using that for the last two years and I don't know why but it's trickier to work with then the Optiphen. I find I have to make sure I'm below 80 degress and really mix it in well.