Teach Soap

Will I be able to use optiphen alone as a preservative or should I have additional preservative for lotion?

Read up on Optiphen. It's not compatible with some ingredients. I would not mix another preservative with it.
I have a little more info here. viewtopic.php?f=5&t=5032

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

I wasn't planning on mixing the preservatives. I was asking if I should use a different one instead or if the optiphen would be sufficient. I didn't word my original post right. I see the optiphen will protect against bacteria, but not mold or yeast. I'm making a small batch with the optiphen today so I'll see how that progresses over time to see if I need a different preservative.

Depending on your ingredients and if you are using any tea, herbals or herbal extracts, Optiphen might not be enough.

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

I also have a preservative question and I'll warn you, I'm a total newbie
In lotion making, I've read that it does need the preservative and I don't have a problem with that considering what might happen if I don't use one. But, what would be the "safest" to use? I have a close vegan friend who is telling me not to make it with paraben. I am just learning all this stuff so I'd appreciate some guidance.

Thanks so much!

Jeannine

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Jeannine

~the journey is everything~

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

THANK YOU SOAPBUDDY! I was hoping you'd reply
I hear all this stuff and not knowing what's really going on, it's difficult to reply to these comments about preservatives.
I have soooo much to learn...but that's half the fun!

Thanks again!
Jeannine

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Jeannine

~the journey is everything~

You're very welcome Jeannine!
Come back if you have more questions. I'll do my best to answer.

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

I found this web site some time ago and it dispels the scaremongerers. They speak the truth as far as I'm concerned. http://personalcaretruth.com/ Very good reading.

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

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

"Formulator" is just pushing their own website and their own agenda. I checked it out but unfortunately did not see any reviews as stated in previous thread.

I stick with preservatives which have been tested, challenge tested (and passed) in order to keep myself and my customers safe when using my products. In addition to Soapbuddy's sticky note on different preservatives (which is completely awesome since i am sure it was time consuming to write) there are other sites which sell preservatives and give great information. One that i know of would be lotioncrafter.com (i am not affiliated with them, i just like their straight forward information), plus the number of products they offer makes me drool, lol. They have many different options which gives a description of each and it includes the INCI name which is important for labeling purposes.

Good luck to all, it took me a long time to figure out which preservatives i prefer to work with for different products and as new ones become available i am sure my opinions will change too

Erin

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Linda
I know the voices in my head aren't real, but they sure have some great ideas!

Hi there!
No snow yet but the reports are calling for it this weekend. Smells like snow so i guess we will see!!!

Take Care
Erin

Ok so I kmw you have to use a preservatve in lotion but what about scrubs, fizzies, butters, lip balm, deodorant and all those other personal care products. I have phenonip like it, if any of those other things need preservatives would that be good one to use. It seems versatile and works at nice temp range too. Thx