Thank you Marie! This is very important right now - there's a lot of misinformation fueled by fear of "chemicals" (as though chemicals don't exist in nature).
UH chemicals and toxins. "I don't like putting chemicals in my hair" "your body is full of toxins" I'm pretty sure that water is a chemical, and if my body was full of toxins... I WOULD BE DEAD.
It's the same as "natural". You know what's natural? Arsenic. So are mosquitoes (and the diseases they carry), and bacteria (the good and the bad kind), and poisonous mushrooms...
Great video. I make all kinds of skin care products too and ALWAYS use a broad spectrum preservative in water based products or products such as sugar scrubs that are used in the shower. My favorite preservative is Liquid Germall Plus. It's so easy to use and you only need to use a small amount ( .5% )to be effective. The amount of bad/dangerous information being spread by people online, is horrifying. You are a breath of fresh air in a world where so many people are denying FACTS. Good job. :)
Thanks, Michelle! I'm definitely with you on the LGP; it's practically foolproof, which is great for a fool like me ;) I do hope most of the bad info is just ignorance rather than malice, but wilful ignorance and malice can be easily confused for one another :/
Michelle Abbott how can I convert 5% of Liquid Germall Plus into ml? Also how would I know how much to put in 8oz of an oil mix that I make? Thank you for helping
Gonna check out your blog and site. So glad I ran across your videos. They are educational and comprehensive. I was so excited about DIY's items, I'm in the middle of buying butters, oils and essential oils and fragrances. Then I see one of your videos and I'm like dead stop. Although the products will be just for me, I refuse to go in blind. Thank you much. Huge fan here!!
Thank you. So far I've experimented with really small amounts that I can use up within a few days, knowing that I need to learn about preservatives before I really get in to this. I really wish I could avoid it, but you have confirmed it; gotta learn about preservatives!
Ummmm, excuse me ... but I actually really believe you. The other day, I got it in my head that I wanted to make my own soap. That just spiraled out of control and the first video I came across of your’s was about how to make lotion. Yo, I enjoyed it so much. Like too much, just because I do ... I think people are cool. Days later, I realize that I may be onto something so I am still learning and today, I wanted to learn about preservatives ... 4 videos and 37 minutes later and POW, we meet again. Just wanted to thank you for being so informative and so freaking genuine, YO!!!! I freaking suck at RUclips and social media, but I know I am supposed to subscribe ... wait ... I don’t even think you asked for a subscription!!! (I did it anyway) Sheesh you’re cool. No because that was supposed to come at the beginning ... that’s the formula for RUclips, the ask for the sub, like, AND for us to ring a bell ... you rebel!!!! You’re like a rebel and not a rebel at the same tim ... nvm ... you get the picture (I don’t even write comments!) ... you’re cool and I am thankful for the information you shared!!!! Thanks again, Sis!!!
Thank you so much! I'm so thrilled to hear you're having fun making things and have learned some helpful things from my channel :) Don't forget to check out my blog (humblebeeandme.com)-I've been blogging for over 8.5 years while I’ve only been on RUclips for about 4, so there is TONS more content on the blog! The FAQ (www.humblebeeandme.com/faq/) & Humblebee & Me DIY Encyclopedia (www.humblebeeandme.com/diy-encyclopedia/) are especially helpful 😄 Happy making!
This takes me back to my Pinterest boards. I also thought vitamin E was a preservative and even thought mixing zinc into my lotion would make a sunscreen!
I am a beginner with my skincare & haircare products. I follow most of your posts. Your information are truly an eye openers. Thanks for all information you are sharing. Have great day. 😁
Welcome & thanks for watching! Don't forget to check out my blog (humblebeeandme.com)-I've been blogging for over 8 years while I’ve only been on RUclips for about 3.5, so there is TONS more content on the blog!
i want to get into making diy skincare and i was initially seeing all these recipes and thinking, "great, but how long do these products last?". i've been trying to find anyone who uses preservatives regularly in their recipes because almost every popular website was full of "hey, let's make 500mL of toner at one time with just two ingredients - apple cider vinegar and witch hazel!" and i couldn't find info about how or why preservatives need to be used. then i found your channel and website so thanks for existing :)
Yeah, there is a definite lack of information about shelf stability out there-glad I could help, and good on you for asking the right questions :) Happy making!
SO true, oh my goodness. Its been proven over and over that the "preservative" powers it has are from the preservatives that preserve it, and ironically those are often things like parabens that people are trying to avoid by using GSE :P
Monique Henderson I watched this video and I heard what she said, yes she is a biochemist but she makes no references to any studies conducted to back up what she’s saying.
YAY! Don't forget to check out my blog (humblebeeandme.com)-I've been blogging for over 7.5 years while I’ve only been on RUclips for about 3, so there is TONS more content on the blog!
I read your blog about preservatives but didn’t see anything about leucidal sf max and AMTicide Coconut for more natural preservatives (I know their shelf life is way shorter than the more synthetic preservatives and it’s more for personal use than to sell the products). Have you had any experience in using these? Any recommendations or comments about it?
Thank you so much for all of your informations! Im just starting to do some diy for fun and didn't know the importance of preservative. Your blog is AMAZING! 😍
This was wonderful! And this is exactly why I've been hesitant to dive head first into diy skincare. I've been doing a lot of reading and love your site and videos. Bookmarking this (and your reading list) for later... and to share with doubters in the future.
Glad you like them! Don't forget to check out my blog (humblebeeandme.com) as well-I've been blogging since 2011 while I’ve only been on RUclips since about 2016, so there are a lot more formulations on the blog. The blog is also where my totally free ingredient encyclopedia and FAQ live, and they're both packed with tons of super-helpful information ❤️ Happy making!
Good tips Marie......I have heard about the vitamin E being used as a preservative before too and the same tip you mentioned about this was mentioned by Soap Queen T.V as well.......so yup that totally isn't a big surprise that you and other soap makers give tips, because only real experienced soap makers or professionals will know the tips so it is good to trust them........because they obviously have learnt from trial and errors.......I loved this video.....
Thanks so much, Rebecca! I've found sellers at markets who think vitamin E is a preservative (and have been very rude when I tried to inform them otherwise), so this message cannot be repeated enough it seems!
Thanks! I definitely will :) And don't forget to check out my blog (humblebeeandme.com/)-I've been blogging for over 5 years while I haven't even been on RUclips for one, so there is TONS more content on the blog!
I just ordered your book and I can't wait to put my hands on it! If coconut oil is already a natural preservative, should I still go ahead and add extra preservatives if I'm making, let's say, pressed eyeshadows?
I'm so glad I ran into this video and your RUclips Channel. I am very new to the DIY world but wanted to jump in and had no idea about preservatives! I will be purchasing your book today! I do have a question though, I notice you've said you like Liquid Germall Plus as a preservative but I've seen some great reviews about Optiphen Plus (since it's paraben and formaldehyde free). I'd like to know your opinion on it and why you choose Liquid Germall Plus. Thanks so much for taking time to do these videos!
Welcome! I use LGP because it's effective against gram positive and gram negative bacteria as well as mould, and it has a very wide effective pH range (3-8, but some chemists state up to 10). Optiphen Plus is less effective against mould and can destabilize emulsions. You can learn more here: www.makingskincare.com/preservatives/.
I've been making DIY cleaning products. I use a lot of water plus things like dish soap, vinegar, essential oils, isopropyl alcohol and hydrogen peroxide. I put them in opaque glass spray bottles. I assume with most of these I should be using a preservative if I don't use it up within a couple days - and especially if using on countertops? I also read that anything with hydrogen peroxide should be used very quickly because it becomes unstable. Also wondering if the alcohol serves any function as a preservative at all?
At 20% or greater alcohol will preserve a formula, but other things should include a preservative. I'm not sure about that hydrogen peroxide info, it's not an ingredient I do a ton of work with.
of course H2O2 is unstable. It is basic chemistry: H2O2-> H2O (water) + 'O' (alias Oxigen, which is the part that oxidases stuff=reacts with things so may kill stuff, or make hair/clothes ligher in color). Yes, alcohol is antiseptic=disinfects things. Could also be a solvent in a product. I'm a pharmacist so I make a tons of cremes and things. And alcohol is used like that. There is no point in avoiding products with alcohol. Obviously in high concentration it is drying, and possible not good in a wannabe hydratating product. But it is there for a reason. Also very easily evaporates so I don't see all the big work up about it.
Hello Marie! In making a magnesium cream with 50% distilled water and 50% magnesium chloride, is a preservative still necessary?Other ingredients include butters e wax and oils.Thanks!
I like this summary. I see a lot of diy recipes without preservatives, and they say it's good for 2-3 weeks in the fridge. But they also make like a one-year-large batch, it's crazy!!! Why???? 😯 I would love to see/read about another hygiene topic too. Tips on how to clean different containers, what's better not to reuse - which you give hints about in some videos, but a round up would be good. And also, I read you need to sterilize your tools and containers with alcohol every time and also not to use the same tools for food to avoid contamination. How do you do this in practice? I'm sorry if you already have something about these, I didn't find. Have a nice day! 🙂
Thanks for the feedback and suggestions! I think I've covered some of these topics in assorted Q&A videos, though I'm not sure which at this point. You might also like this video: ruclips.net/video/y2aQHu6wTao/видео.html. I'll keep in mind doing a more complete video on general processes :) Happy making!
Thank you very much. i have learn many things from your blog and youtube videos. For example when it comes to preservatives, i always confused. but right now I understood why just one products has different preservatives instead just ONE preservative only? . this is because different preservatives have different action/purpose r like prevent bacteria, some others prevent mold/fungus or rancidity. Therefore it is necessary to use different preservatives .
9:20 is so right! I had food poisoning for the first time a few months ago and the food was delicious and from a place that had never made me sick before.
Hi Marie, I would like to make a batch of salt/sugar body scrubs using a combination of oils. As the scrub is most likely going to get water into it would adding a Broad-Spectrum like Phenoxyethanol EHG work as a good preservative. Thanks. xx
Maybe? I haven't worked with that one in particular. I've included some links so you can learn more: humblebeeandme.com/preservatives www.humblebeeandme.com/faqs/how-do-i-know-my-preservative-is-working/
Thank you so much for this important information. I’ve been starting to make soap😁 and am so excited to try making other ‘concoctions’ as well. Speaking of soap, I’ve gathered that, considering soap’s pH is higher, there is no need for preservatives regardless of the ingredients added. Is this true? Just double checking, you seem very intelligent and knowledgeable☺️👍🏻. Thanks for all the awesome vids!
I was a sceptic too until I read why you need to preserve your products. Last thing I would want is to catch any skin infections, little micro yuckies or diseases such as staphylococcus, my gosh its scary.
So when using a preservative, what is the approximate shelf life, of say a lotion or shampoo, made with oil & water? Thank you so much for explaining this. I'm just starting out and was nervous about using them, but you have changed my way of thinking. Thanks for keeping me & my family safe?
Hey I like your channel. If you make a body butter only with oils (Coconut oil, Shea butter, Almond oil, oil based essential oil like lavender) WITHOUT water - do you need a preservative? Thank you for your help.
Nope; no water, no preservative! I've got lots of FAQs on this, like this one: www.humblebeeandme.com/faqs/what-preservative-should-i-use-how-much-of-it-should-i-add/ :)
Wow this is a really helfull video thank you! Can I ask when making cucumber toner with acv or rose water will any Preservative stop the cucumber liquid going bad? I was wondering the same about things like rice water, honey face wash and other food like skin care products. I want to make them for myself but would be great not to have to do it every few days :) please help 😊
It's hard to say; those things are more prone to spoilage, to be sure, but there are so many variables it's impossible to say if it is technically possible or not. I, personally, would not recommend it, especially in a home setting.
what are you thoughts about geogard ultra? i use it and i like a lot,it requires a buffer though. inci D-Glucono-1,5 Lactone ,Sodium Benzoate ,Calcium Gluconate. and what about the combo sorbate-benzoate? i just need my cosmetics last 3-4 months max.
Every time I ask somewhere, I'm told you dont need a preservative for an anhydrous body butter, but I know many people do apply these right out of the shower and I cant guarantee that their hands will be dry (as many people prefer to do it while their skin is still damp). I also saw a video that said when shipping in the heat, the jar can sweat, which can introduce a little water. Rather than put a label warning against moisture, I wanted to just include a preservative. I'm having such a hard time figuring out which one to use though. My body butter will be 44% butters (mango, shea, cocoa); 45% oils (grapeseed, jojoba, coconut & a squeeze of vitamin E); 8% arrowroot powder & 3% fragrance. I'm all confused by the PH levels & stuff. Can I use Optiphen Plus? or Germall Plus? I want to make sure we don't get any mold or fungus.
Very informative and well explained. Thank you. I use only hard butters ( shea, cocoa, mango etc), oils (almond, jojoba,castor etc), and essential oils to make body butter creams... no water...in a spotless clean area. Do I still need any kind of preservatives? If not how long will these last? Does it help to put them in the freezer? Thank you in advance ..pat
Hi! I just found your video and I know the "no water- no preservative"-rule but I always use my moisturizer on my wet face (with wet fingers) and I would like to use a preservative in my completely oil-based moisturizer because I am a very panicky person and don't want nasties to grow in it. How do I do this and which ones do you recommend?
Phenonip would likely be a good choice; you can learn more here: www.makingskincare.com/preservatives/. You could also scoop out the moisturizer with a popsicle stick so you don't risk adding any water to it :)
Hey, Marie! So I just got your book from Amazon (really cool and exciting!) and I took some notes in the section about preservatives so here I am. I've read that Germall Plus is 60% of propylene glycol, which I found out it's a component we should avoid in cosmetics and skin and hair products. So I started searching about the other preservatives and I found that Phenonip, Germaben and Geogard ECT are NOT paraben-free. I felt a little disapointed cause I got into diy cosmetics in order to run away from these kind of substance. But then, I've read that Optiphen Plus is paraben- and formaldehyd-free! I have to confess that I have no idea how this one works in the recipe, just that we should use a concentration of 0,75-1,5%. Have you ever used this one in your concoctions? If you have any comments about my searching I'll be glad to hear them!
Hey! So, it sounds like you have found some pretty... fear-mongery resources (likely the EWG?). I've found Cosmetics Info to be a much better database style resource. Here's their entry on propylene glycol: www.cosmeticsinfo.org/ingredient/propylene-glycol. "It is also interesting to note that in the human body, propylene glycol is metabolized into lactic acid, which occurs naturally when muscles are exercised." At 0.5% usage rate, that 0.3% of your product would be propylene glycol, which is approved "at concentrations as high as 98% in topical drugs and 92% in oral solutions". Parabens are also nowhere near as awful and terrifying as many sources would have you believe. Colin (a professional cosmetic chemist in the UK) has an excellent and well-balanced series on them on his blog: colinsbeautypages.co.uk/the-truth-about-parabens-vii-conclusion-more-work-needs-to-be-done-to-prove-that-parabens-are-indeed-safe/ (refer to the comments as well, there's good discussion there). You are certainly welcome to avoid them if you wish, but I'd encourage you to do more reading into them. I've not worked with Optiphen Plus. You can learn more here (www.makingskincare.com/preservatives/), but do generally be aware that you must test and adjust the pH of everything you make if you wish to use it as it has a much narrower effective pH range than liquid germall plus, as well as having more ingredient conflicts. Good luck and happy making!
Thanks, Marie! Actually I've seen these infos about propylene glycol all over the internet, both in english and portuguese (I'm brazilian!), and since in Brazil this kind of diy beauty products are pretty recent and the only recipes available on internet were food makeup and skin care products or nice-quality-diy-makeup-from-courses-I-can't-afford, I was a bit concerned about this subject. Thank you for all the information given and for your patience!
I'm going to do a big ol' video on this... thinking Friday. Anywho, the quick gist of it is that essential oils are sourced directly from plant matter (squeezed, distilled, etc.) while fragrance oils are synthesized from natural and synthetic ingredients. Both, however, can be labelled as "fragrance". Stay tuned for the video! Imma talk a lot haha.
Roland Jacobs so glad you will be making a video about This! trying to mimic a favorite beard balm and almost impossible because ingredients say "fragrance". do u know any reputable synthetic fragrance oil companies?
Hi! Thank you for your great videos! What is your opinion on the Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate as a preservative agent for the water solution of hyaluronic acid? The alternative is Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate mixed with Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Fruit Extract. It that enough to make safe DYI cosmetics?
Which preservative/s would you recommend when using HA in a body butter, scrub, lotion, etc.? And one more question.. when working with magnesium oil in liquid form, do we treat it as a water or an oil? That one has me baffled lol. TIA! Your videos are extreeeeemely helpful!!!
I highly recommend reading The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer by Siddhartha Mukherjee. Cancer has been around far longer than preservatives have.
Yaaayyyy. I love your videos. I wish I had found your videos earlier. So far ive only made for myself but was getting ready to make soaps and maybe a base for shampoo and lotions. Can you tell me if we need preservatives for soaps if they are melt and pour. I take it is already protected but I'm unsure. Basically I'm a newby. I make candles and wax melts with confidence but need to get more info before I go to making gifts etc. Thank you
Hey! You really should ask your supplier about the need for a preservative in the specific M&P base you are using. Some are true soaps, which are self-preserving due to their high pH, but some are syndet bars or blended syndet bars, and for those it's harder to say, and if the pH remains high but not high enough to self-preserve, preservative selection can be tricky. Your supplier should know these things.
fantabulous video love it😍 i make homemade soaps and serums So I want to ask if adding phenoxy ethanol only 1% and 2% to my products will it work as a preservative because phenoxy ethanol is a preservatives for cosmetics so please help or will you prefer me adding methyl paraben ? please do reply
Your eyes remind me of Emilia Clarke's eyes. I think it's the shape. In other words - you've got pretty eyes lol. Also thank you for this video. It's really informative!
What is a recommended preservative that can handle 170 degrees F? I am making a clay pomade and need everything to be poured into the container while it's still liquid. Is Liquid Germal Plus a good preservative to use? The pomade is very similar to making a lotion. Water part and oil part. I also have Phenonip.
Can you help me also if this one is ok in the level of cosmetics preservative I remember my teacher is selling trelin P85 for her students…but it’s a industrial preservative according to my research…so I want to tell her that but I wanna make sure if this really not ok for skin care preservative
Just another questiona Marie. I've read it a book that it would be possible to extend a preservative "life", for instance of Cosgard that is of 3months by adding citric acid. Do u know that to be true? And if so, to what extent or with how much % of the acid..? Many thanks
Awesome video, very educational. Am making body butter, sugar scrub and black soap for sale, although they don’t contain water,Am considering adding preservatives to avoid contamination Since they will be used in the shower especially the black soap gel and sugar scrub. What do you think?
Hi Marie, your video just probably saved me from so many future mistakes!..I just decided to start making face and body creams for me, my family & friends, and the last thing I want is making them sick! so thank you very much! I'd like to ask you a couple of questions if you don't mind helping me..If I'm not wrong I understood that no water =no need for preservative, right? If I make a cream using shea butter, coconut oil, pomegranate oil, olive oil (or other seed oil like sesame oil etc) and essential oils, would it work without preservatives? how such a lotion would last in your opinion? also, can it be stored out of the fridge? ...one more thing ...I would like to buy some pure aloe vera gel; if I'm going to use it to make a cream with other oils what is the kind of preservative (and the quantity per gram of cream) you suggest I should put ? (also..will the preservatives not be already in the aloe vera gel ?) and can I just put some alcohol in it? Thank you very much for your tips!!!
I've got some FAQs for you :) www.humblebeeandme.com/faqs/aloe-vera-juice-aloe-vera-gel-thing/ www.humblebeeandme.com/faqs/long-will-______-last-shelf-life/ www.humblebeeandme.com/faqs/need-add-preservative-recipe-long-will-last/ www.humblebeeandme.com/faqs/what-preservative-should-i-use-how-much-of-it-should-i-add/ www.humblebeeandme.com/faqs/common-myths-misconceptions-preservatives/
That's kind of what this video (ruclips.net/video/LaJIgqNk_1I/видео.html) is about-though for more ingredients than just preservatives :) Thanks for watching!
Hello love your videos thank you! Wondering if you've come across a preservative that doesn't have a smell? I'm finding that Optiphen plus and preservative ECO have this rubber glove kind of smell :( I'm making sugar scrubs and without fail they stink when I use preservatives :( Whats the least amount of preservative I can use? The product label says .75-1.5% but wondering your thoughts on this? Thank you!
HELLO! I have 3 questions. 1.Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sorbic Acid, and Guar Gum combined are good preservatives to use for shampoos, deep/rinse out conditioners, gels, hair/face/body creams and sprays, hair moisturizers, toners, body washes? 2. What tool do I use to measure 0.01 to 0.05 percent of preservatives for my products? 3. How do I mix three different preservatives together for them to equal 0.01 to 0.05 percent?
Hey! Please use a pre-formulated complete preservative rather than trying to blend your own-leave that to the pros. You can learn a lot about preservatives here: www.makingskincare.com/preservatives/. I think you'll find only one of the ingredients you mentioned has any preserving abilities at all.
Humblebee & Me unfortunately I didn't know about that and I bought all three preservatives before watching this video 😅. So I am stuck with all three. Do I just give the last one away????
Hey. Thank you so much for this video. I am working on creating a lipgloss product in which I will mix versagel (lip gloss base) and some oils. Do you think it is necessary to add a preservative? This is the ingredients in Versagel: Hydrogenated Polyisobutene (and) Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer (and) Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer. Thank you 😁
Great video ! Ive just started making my own products (lotions, face products, and household cleansers). I want to use a preservative but im getting confused on which ones to use... Ive been seeing Vitamin E for things that dont have water or some into contact with water (i.e. Lip Balm). As far as the preservative for face creams, body scrubs, household cleansers with water, I dont know which paraben-free preservative to use OR how much!? is there an equation to figure out how much? and what parben-free preservative would you recommend? Also, if I were to boil the water and then use it, would that solve the problem? or would i still need a preservative.. Thanks for any information!
I'd recommend Liquid Germall Plus; it's pretty darn foolproof! I've got more info and links to a calculator here: www.humblebeeandme.com/faqs/what-preservative-should-i-use-how-much-of-it-should-i-add/. And no, boiling water doesn't negate the need for a preservative in cosmetics any more than boiling water would give a soup an indefinite shelf life :)
@@mackenzierodgers9830 from everything I've read vitamin e is an antioxidant and it can't take the place of a preservative if you're making something that includes water as an ingredient and you want it to stay good longer than a few weeks.
Greetings Humblebee - Am new to DIY - homemade products - have started with cleaning products, which is great and am wanting to branch out and make face/body lotions and balms and would like to know what preservatives that you mostly use Thank You
Thanks, Toni! Don't forget to check out my blog (humblebeeandme.com/)-I've been blogging for over 5 years while I haven't even been on RUclips for one, so there is TONS more content on the blog!
Lip balms don't typically need a preservative as they don't contain any water-please read through the Preservatives section of the Humblebee & Me FAQ (www.humblebeeandme.com/faq/) :) Happy making!
Hi I made a lotion and after a few days, it jxt popped out of the jar/container..so do know what must have gone wrong??? I'm thinking that its because of the preservative... I used phenylexanol
Yeah, that could indicate your preservative was not sufficient-it sounds like there may be some sort of microbial action happening that is resulting in the production of some sort of gas.
Thank you so much for this video! It makes me feel like there should be a kind of public health campaign to get all the well-meaning but misinformed DIY's sharing preservative free recipes taken down, most especially from a place like Pinterest where they spread like wildfire. And I haven't yet looked into it, but I've heard of no easy and affordable way to test for these microbes at home the way we can test for pH. I really hope I find an option. Question for you: I have found no recipe for an apple cider vinegar toner that includes a preservative. Dr. Axe even has a recipe that adds aloe and it still lacks a preservative. Am I missing something or are all these recipes from people who just don't know why they need it?
I agree! The fear of preservatives has somehow surpassed the fear of staph infections-likely because most everything we use is so well preserved that we don't know anyone who has ever suffered the ill effects of a poorly preserved product, so it starts to seem like it's not a worry. You can purchase home tests for microbes, but I haven't found any for sale in Canada-and in any event it is not as simple as a pH test. Those people just don't know they need it. Pure ACV wouldn't need a preservative as it's self preserving, but you really should not put pure ACV on your skin as it's far too acidic to be good for your acid mantle. Once it's diluted it needs a preservative.
Thank you so much for the reply! You make a great point about us not knowing people who have suffered the consequences of poorly preserved products. It makes me wonder what the spectrum really looks like as far as contamination and its effects on our body. Since it seems that harmful amounts of microbes can't always be detected by sight or smell I'm curious about the harm that could go undetected by us because contamination didn't result in something as obvious as staph infection. After reading your comment I did check around and found some at home microbial tests, though it seems interpreting the results may require additional study and assistance. Good to know there are options and at least a place to start that won't break the bank! And that's what I thought about the ACV toners (and hair rinses) which are always diluted with distilled water or witch hazel since as you said it's too harsh at full concentration. DIY can be so wonderful but it seems that the Keep It Simple Stupid adage does not really apply here and we all should take our eduction and awareness of these things quite a bit more seriously, most especially for those who intend to sell their products. Thanks again for the reply and your great videos!
Very informative. If and when I begin to make my on lotions and serums,how would I measure or how would I know what is enough for that batch. Also, is there a test to check the pH of the lotion I make, if so where can I purchase it. If I do have a product, how would I truly know if it went bad?
Hi This video is great very informative. Thank you. Please tell me how to calculate the need of preservative when the formula has more than 50% of ingredients containing their own preservatives. For example if I m making a toner with rose hydrosol, aloe Vera juice, green tea extract or other extracts, they all contained their own preservatives. My preservative (geogard ultra) usage recommendation is 1%. Do I still add 1% or .5 to cover the water part which is without preservative.
Hi Monika, you need to use the percentage recommendation because the product that you are making is another different to each ingredient, there is the probability that you have a blend with a different pH to the range in which work each preservative in the components itself, so probably they are not working more now and also they are diluted, sorry if my English is no right to explain better the point, but I hope you understand (I am chemist).
Great video :) thanku . Please help I'm struggling knowing how much preservitive leuicidal sf to add to my 100ml of Moisturiser, how many ml should I put in? Xx
Hey, I have a few questions. I see you listed optiphen as a broad spectrum preservative so after reading about it and all the other preservatives you mentioned I felt it was a good choice so I bought it but now I'm confused. Alot of websites say it protects from gram positive, gram negative, yeast and mold but in that review of 27 preservatives she says it only guards against mold somewhat. 😔 What do you think? Do you recommend it? I'm super bummed because it's the third preservative I've ordered that it seems actually isn't so great (leucidal sf, leucidal complete and optiphen). I'm planning to sell products and really want to get things right. Another question I have is you said clay is hard to preserve but don't you have a multi use clay cleaner recipe with preservative? Finally, where can I find out how long my products should last so I can put an expiration? I'm not really seeing that anywhere. Thanks!
Oh, and I wanted to add that I'm so about things in their natural state and have even tried washing my hair with baking soda, clay, rye flour etc lol... I was also using body butter instead of lotion for my son's eczema (store bought lotions have not worked well except Shea moisture) but discovered homemade lotion works way better (or Shea moisture) so those experiences and your videos are really winning me over! Alot of natural products just aren't as effective on their own as I'd like so I'm really opening my mind to all this and it's been very fun so far! All that to say thanks... I'm obsessed with your videos!
Honestly, the best way to know (especially if you're going to be selling things) is to have your products professionally challenge tested; that's the only way to know if your preservative system stands up. I have heard from many people that they've had good success with Optiphen Plus, but I also trust the information in Jane's review. Definitely don't take everything on my website (especially if it's pre 2016) as being a beacon of safety and good formulation-I'm always learning and there are definitely some things from the early days that are less than ideal. Also, NOTHING I publish is tested for sale! Sorry this isn't more conclusive or more helpful!
hi, thanks for this video. I have a question with the usage of preservative. I made liquid soap using olive+coconut oil, thickened with salt until it has syrup-like texture. I forgot to add preservative, and up to 1 month (now as I wrote this) the soap is still fine. Did salt do the trick here, or plant-oil-based liquid soap generally has months of shelf life?
Do you need to use a preservative in a bug spray? It's mostly witch hazel with a small amount of water plus glycerine and two EOs. I was told I need to use poly 20 in it. It has a spray lid so it doesn't touch the body.
Yes, definitely. The Poly 20 will be your solubilizer to allow the EOs to mix with the water part, but you'll also need a preservative to stop gross stuff from growing :)
If I add liquid germall plus should I stop listing my products as all natural? I will be adding preservative but I don't want to lie about my products! Thank you
Liquid Germall™ Plus definitely isn't natural, so it would not be truthful to label your products as "all natural" if you use it. There are good natural preservative options, though! Check out the video I shared today :)
If I only use oils to make my body oils (coconut oil, sweet almond oil, avocado oil, jojoba oil, grape seed oil, essential oils for fragrance, etc.) and no water, should I add any preservatives? I’m sorry if this is a stupid question.
love this, my very new to the DIY world. Thanks alot for the great tips and videos. quick question, from where can i buy liquid germall plus preservative in the US?
I don't suggest putting preservatives in anhydrous body butters :) Please read through the Preservatives section of the FAQ (www.humblebeeandme.com/faq/) :)
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Thank you Marie! This is very important right now - there's a lot of misinformation fueled by fear of "chemicals" (as though chemicals don't exist in nature).
Thanks for watching! And I totally agree-"chemical" isn't a scary word!
UH chemicals and toxins. "I don't like putting chemicals in my hair" "your body is full of toxins"
I'm pretty sure that water is a chemical, and if my body was full of toxins... I WOULD BE DEAD.
It's the same as "natural". You know what's natural? Arsenic. So are mosquitoes (and the diseases they carry), and bacteria (the good and the bad kind), and poisonous mushrooms...
sarahdw93 It's crazy the kind of nonsense folks are spewing. When you stop and think about it, it's completely senseless...
Great video. I make all kinds of skin care products too and ALWAYS use a broad spectrum preservative in water based products or products such as sugar scrubs that are used in the shower. My favorite preservative is Liquid Germall Plus. It's so easy to use and you only need to use a small amount ( .5% )to be effective. The amount of bad/dangerous information being spread by people online, is horrifying. You are a breath of fresh air in a world where so many people are denying FACTS. Good job. :)
Thanks, Michelle! I'm definitely with you on the LGP; it's practically foolproof, which is great for a fool like me ;) I do hope most of the bad info is just ignorance rather than malice, but wilful ignorance and malice can be easily confused for one another :/
Michelle Abbott how can I convert 5% of Liquid Germall Plus into ml? Also how would I know how much to put in 8oz of an oil mix that I make? Thank you for helping
@@mayyjayy8984 easiest to calculater oz to g, then multiply g amount by .08 ..
So true
Can you tell me about how long (expired) the product will stay long with germall plus?
I really hate it how some people refuse to use preservatives, as if they were sth. bad. They're absolutely necessary and inevitable.
Preach!
LOL at 10:06 "bacterial orgy..". This was very helpful and easy to follow. Thanks!
Thanks for watching! :D
Gonna check out your blog and site. So glad I ran across your videos. They are educational and comprehensive. I was so excited about DIY's items, I'm in the middle of buying butters, oils and essential oils and fragrances. Then I see one of your videos and I'm like dead stop. Although the products will be just for me, I refuse to go in blind. Thank you much. Huge fan here!!
Welcome! I'm so glad you're getting into DIY with a mind for safety-you'll be so glad you did :D Happy making!
So glad I found you and especially this video. I had no idea.
Marie you're the best thank you so much for this video. Your good info is so so helpful and wonderful.
Thank you. So far I've experimented with really small amounts that I can use up within a few days, knowing that I need to learn about preservatives before I really get in to this. I really wish I could avoid it, but you have confirmed it; gotta learn about preservatives!
Yup! There is a TON to learn, too-I'm still learning more all the time. There's some good info in my FAQ (www.humblebeeandme.com/faq/) :)
Thank you for the common sense. I definitely face palmed, “Oh Duh! Of course stuff spoils! Why didn’t I think of that?”
No worries-thanks for watching! :)
Ummmm, excuse me ... but I actually really believe you. The other day, I got it in my head that I wanted to make my own soap. That just spiraled out of control and the first video I came across of your’s was about how to make lotion. Yo, I enjoyed it so much. Like too much, just because I do ... I think people are cool. Days later, I realize that I may be onto something so I am still learning and today, I wanted to learn about preservatives ... 4 videos and 37 minutes later and POW, we meet again. Just wanted to thank you for being so informative and so freaking genuine, YO!!!! I freaking suck at RUclips and social media, but I know I am supposed to subscribe ... wait ... I don’t even think you asked for a subscription!!! (I did it anyway) Sheesh you’re cool. No because that was supposed to come at the beginning ... that’s the formula for RUclips, the ask for the sub, like, AND for us to ring a bell ... you rebel!!!! You’re like a rebel and not a rebel at the same tim ... nvm ... you get the picture (I don’t even write comments!) ... you’re cool and I am thankful for the information you shared!!!! Thanks again, Sis!!!
Thank you so much! I'm so thrilled to hear you're having fun making things and have learned some helpful things from my channel :) Don't forget to check out my blog (humblebeeandme.com)-I've been blogging for over 8.5 years while I’ve only been on RUclips for about 4, so there is TONS more content on the blog! The FAQ (www.humblebeeandme.com/faq/) & Humblebee & Me DIY Encyclopedia (www.humblebeeandme.com/diy-encyclopedia/) are especially helpful 😄 Happy making!
This takes me back to my Pinterest boards. I also thought vitamin E was a preservative and even thought mixing zinc into my lotion would make a sunscreen!
I am a beginner with my skincare & haircare products. I follow most of your posts. Your information are truly an eye openers. Thanks for all information you are sharing. Have great day. 😁
Welcome & thanks for watching! Don't forget to check out my blog (humblebeeandme.com)-I've been blogging for over 8 years while I’ve only been on RUclips for about 3.5, so there is TONS more content on the blog!
Thanks TONS. You are such a great help for beginners like me. God bless you.
You're very welcome! Thanks for watching :)
i want to get into making diy skincare and i was initially seeing all these recipes and thinking, "great, but how long do these products last?". i've been trying to find anyone who uses preservatives regularly in their recipes because almost every popular website was full of "hey, let's make 500mL of toner at one time with just two ingredients - apple cider vinegar and witch hazel!" and i couldn't find info about how or why preservatives need to be used. then i found your channel and website so thanks for existing :)
Yeah, there is a definite lack of information about shelf stability out there-glad I could help, and good on you for asking the right questions :) Happy making!
So how would you preserve acv and which Hazel. I am confused?
Also, grape seed extract is NOT a preservative!
SO true, oh my goodness. Its been proven over and over that the "preservative" powers it has are from the preservatives that preserve it, and ironically those are often things like parabens that people are trying to avoid by using GSE :P
Grapefruit seed extract is sometimes used instead
Humblebee & Me can you point me to the studies that have proven grapefruit seed extract is an ineffective preservative?
@@emilyprestigiacomo9606 This link at 14.00 minutes talks about this. Kenna is a biochemist. She knows. ruclips.net/video/ZTZ15Xi5QaY/видео.html
Monique Henderson I watched this video and I heard what she said, yes she is a biochemist but she makes no references to any studies conducted to back up what she’s saying.
WOW!!!! I'm beyond excited about finding your channel😄
YAY! Don't forget to check out my blog (humblebeeandme.com)-I've been blogging for over 7.5 years while I’ve only been on RUclips for about 3, so there is TONS more content on the blog!
Thank you! I love your manner of speaking. Keep up the good work.
Thanks for watching!
I read your blog about preservatives but didn’t see anything about leucidal sf max and AMTicide Coconut for more natural preservatives (I know their shelf life is way shorter than the more synthetic preservatives and it’s more for personal use than to sell the products). Have you had any experience in using these? Any recommendations or comments about it?
Thank you so much for all of your informations! Im just starting to do some diy for fun and didn't know the importance of preservative. Your blog is AMAZING! 😍
Happy to help! Happy making :D
This was wonderful! And this is exactly why I've been hesitant to dive head first into diy skincare. I've been doing a lot of reading and love your site and videos.
Bookmarking this (and your reading list) for later... and to share with doubters in the future.
Thank you so much! Hopefully it helps you feel a bit more confident, knowing you'll be able to avoid some of the common pitfalls :) Happy making!
Thank you so much for your information.... You are a sharer and I like a lot about you... Keep doing what you love and much love to you too 😘
Thank you so much!
The videos are extremely informative. You are very knowledgeable.
Glad you like them!
Don't forget to check out my blog (humblebeeandme.com) as well-I've been blogging since 2011 while I’ve only been on RUclips since about 2016, so there are a lot more formulations on the blog. The blog is also where my totally free ingredient encyclopedia and FAQ live, and they're both packed with tons of super-helpful information ❤️ Happy making!
Good tips Marie......I have heard about the vitamin E being used as a preservative before too and the same tip you mentioned about this was mentioned by Soap Queen T.V as well.......so yup that totally isn't a big surprise that you and other soap makers give tips, because only real experienced soap makers or professionals will know the tips so it is good to trust them........because they obviously have learnt from trial and errors.......I loved this video.....
Thanks so much, Rebecca! I've found sellers at markets who think vitamin E is a preservative (and have been very rude when I tried to inform them otherwise), so this message cannot be repeated enough it seems!
Thanx for the links I hope you will continue posting videos like that!! I find you are so reliable compare to some people with diy's
Thanks! I definitely will :) And don't forget to check out my blog (humblebeeandme.com/)-I've been blogging for over 5 years while I haven't even been on RUclips for one, so there is TONS more content on the blog!
I just ordered your book and I can't wait to put my hands on it!
If coconut oil is already a natural preservative, should I still go ahead and add extra preservatives if I'm making, let's say, pressed eyeshadows?
I'm so glad I ran into this video and your RUclips Channel. I am very new to the DIY world but wanted to jump in and had no idea about preservatives! I will be purchasing your book today! I do have a question though, I notice you've said you like Liquid Germall Plus as a preservative but I've seen some great reviews about Optiphen Plus (since it's paraben and formaldehyde free). I'd like to know your opinion on it and why you choose Liquid Germall Plus. Thanks so much for taking time to do these videos!
Welcome! I use LGP because it's effective against gram positive and gram negative bacteria as well as mould, and it has a very wide effective pH range (3-8, but some chemists state up to 10). Optiphen Plus is less effective against mould and can destabilize emulsions. You can learn more here: www.makingskincare.com/preservatives/.
You’re brilliant Marie. I love your Chanel. Thank you.💕👍🌎❤️🌿🙏🏻💕
Thank you so much!
I've been making DIY cleaning products. I use a lot of water plus things like dish soap, vinegar, essential oils, isopropyl alcohol and hydrogen peroxide. I put them in opaque glass spray bottles. I assume with most of these I should be using a preservative if I don't use it up within a couple days - and especially if using on countertops? I also read that anything with hydrogen peroxide should be used very quickly because it becomes unstable. Also wondering if the alcohol serves any function as a preservative at all?
At 20% or greater alcohol will preserve a formula, but other things should include a preservative. I'm not sure about that hydrogen peroxide info, it's not an ingredient I do a ton of work with.
of course H2O2 is unstable. It is basic chemistry: H2O2-> H2O (water) + 'O' (alias Oxigen, which is the part that oxidases stuff=reacts with things so may kill stuff, or make hair/clothes ligher in color).
Yes, alcohol is antiseptic=disinfects things. Could also be a solvent in a product. I'm a pharmacist so I make a tons of cremes and things. And alcohol is used like that. There is no point in avoiding products with alcohol. Obviously in high concentration it is drying, and possible not good in a wannabe hydratating product. But it is there for a reason. Also very easily evaporates so I don't see all the big work up about it.
What are your thoughts on new Leucidal SF Max?
Leucidal SF complete is cool
Hello Marie! In making a magnesium cream with 50% distilled water and 50% magnesium chloride, is a preservative still necessary?Other ingredients include butters e wax and oils.Thanks!
I'm pretty sure she said if it includes water, yes.😉
I like this summary. I see a lot of diy recipes without preservatives, and they say it's good for 2-3 weeks in the fridge. But they also make like a one-year-large batch, it's crazy!!! Why???? 😯
I would love to see/read about another hygiene topic too. Tips on how to clean different containers, what's better not to reuse - which you give hints about in some videos, but a round up would be good. And also, I read you need to sterilize your tools and containers with alcohol every time and also not to use the same tools for food to avoid contamination. How do you do this in practice? I'm sorry if you already have something about these, I didn't find.
Have a nice day! 🙂
Thanks for the feedback and suggestions! I think I've covered some of these topics in assorted Q&A videos, though I'm not sure which at this point. You might also like this video: ruclips.net/video/y2aQHu6wTao/видео.html. I'll keep in mind doing a more complete video on general processes :) Happy making!
Thank you very much. i have learn many things from your blog and youtube videos. For example when it comes to preservatives, i always confused. but right now I understood why just one products has different preservatives instead just ONE preservative only? . this is because different preservatives have different action/purpose r like prevent bacteria, some others prevent mold/fungus or rancidity. Therefore it is necessary to use different preservatives .
9:20 is so right! I had food poisoning for the first time a few months ago and the food was delicious and from a place that had never made me sick before.
Agh, so sorry to hear about the food poisoning!
Thanks so much for this humorous and information packed video 🙏🏼
Thanks so much for watching!
Hi Marie, I would like to make a batch of salt/sugar body scrubs using a combination of oils. As the scrub is most likely going to get water into it would adding a Broad-Spectrum like Phenoxyethanol EHG work as a good preservative. Thanks. xx
Maybe? I haven't worked with that one in particular. I've included some links so you can learn more:
humblebeeandme.com/preservatives
www.humblebeeandme.com/faqs/how-do-i-know-my-preservative-is-working/
Thank you so much for this important information. I’ve been starting to make soap😁 and am so excited to try making other ‘concoctions’ as well. Speaking of soap, I’ve gathered that, considering soap’s pH is higher, there is no need for preservatives regardless of the ingredients added. Is this true? Just double checking, you seem very intelligent and knowledgeable☺️👍🏻. Thanks for all the awesome vids!
Yup! High pH + low water content = self preserving, even in the face of some (usually) very large preservation challenges! Happy soaping ❤️
Fabulous and extremely well presented.
Thank you!
Is euxyl k712 a good preservative for lotions or emulsifying body scrubs or even emulsifying face clay masks??
I was a sceptic too until I read why you need to preserve your products. Last thing I would want is to catch any skin infections, little micro yuckies or diseases such as staphylococcus, my gosh its scary.
So when using a preservative, what is the approximate shelf life, of say a lotion or shampoo, made with oil & water?
Thank you so much for explaining this. I'm just starting out and was nervous about using them, but you have changed my way of thinking. Thanks for keeping me & my family safe?
Hey! You'll find the answer to your question in my FAQ on my website at humblebeeandme.com/faq/ 😊Happy making!
Fabulous especially as you're learning which preservatives to use when. 🙌🏻👍🏻😁
Thanks, Cyn!
Hey I like your channel. If you make a body butter only with oils (Coconut oil, Shea butter, Almond oil, oil based essential oil like lavender) WITHOUT water - do you need a preservative? Thank you for your help.
Nope; no water, no preservative! I've got lots of FAQs on this, like this one: www.humblebeeandme.com/faqs/what-preservative-should-i-use-how-much-of-it-should-i-add/ :)
Thank you! Really enjoy your channel. Do more what you are doing - you will be more successful!
Hi pls let me know can I use benzoyl alcohol as a preservative when i make glutathione and kojic acid creams .thank you
Thank you so much for this info.
Glad it was helpful!
Wow this is a really helfull video thank you! Can I ask when making cucumber toner with acv or rose water will any Preservative stop the cucumber liquid going bad? I was wondering the same about things like rice water, honey face wash and other food like skin care products. I want to make them for myself but would be great not to have to do it every few days :) please help 😊
It's hard to say; those things are more prone to spoilage, to be sure, but there are so many variables it's impossible to say if it is technically possible or not. I, personally, would not recommend it, especially in a home setting.
Can I use vitamin E as a preservative for Pro mixing cream?,pls reply
Are there any recommended product testing strips that can be used for screening for bacteria, mold and fungi?
Lotion Crafter sells some kits that you can use to get a general idea of what is going on in your products :)
what are you thoughts about geogard ultra? i use it and i like a lot,it requires a buffer though.
inci D-Glucono-1,5 Lactone ,Sodium Benzoate ,Calcium Gluconate.
and what about the combo sorbate-benzoate? i just need my cosmetics last 3-4 months max.
Every time I ask somewhere, I'm told you dont need a preservative for an anhydrous body butter, but I know many people do apply these right out of the shower and I cant guarantee that their hands will be dry (as many people prefer to do it while their skin is still damp). I also saw a video that said when shipping in the heat, the jar can sweat, which can introduce a little water. Rather than put a label warning against moisture, I wanted to just include a preservative. I'm having such a hard time figuring out which one to use though. My body butter will be 44% butters (mango, shea, cocoa); 45% oils (grapeseed, jojoba, coconut & a squeeze of vitamin E); 8% arrowroot powder & 3% fragrance. I'm all confused by the PH levels & stuff. Can I use Optiphen Plus? or Germall Plus? I want to make sure we don't get any mold or fungus.
I have the same question about using preservatives in this kind of body butter too. Did you ever find the answer?
@humblebeeandme…are you able to answer this question. I’m a new maker and by product was an anhydrous whipped lotion butter
@@bluebinsteinno - but I just used some Optiphen Plus
Thank you! Very Informative.
Thanks for watching! :D
Very informative and well explained. Thank you. I use only hard butters ( shea, cocoa, mango etc), oils (almond, jojoba,castor etc), and essential oils to make body butter creams... no water...in a spotless clean area. Do I still need any kind of preservatives? If not how long will these last? Does it help to put them in the freezer? Thank you in advance ..pat
No water, no preservative! For info on shelf life, read this: www.humblebeeandme.com/faqs/long-will-______-last-shelf-life/ :)
Hi! I just found your video and I know the "no water- no preservative"-rule but I always use my moisturizer on my wet face (with wet fingers) and I would like to use a preservative in my completely oil-based moisturizer because I am a very panicky person and don't want nasties to grow in it. How do I do this and which ones do you recommend?
Phenonip would likely be a good choice; you can learn more here: www.makingskincare.com/preservatives/. You could also scoop out the moisturizer with a popsicle stick so you don't risk adding any water to it :)
Hey, Marie! So I just got your book from Amazon (really cool and exciting!) and I took some notes in the section about preservatives so here I am. I've read that Germall Plus is 60% of propylene glycol, which I found out it's a component we should avoid in cosmetics and skin and hair products. So I started searching about the other preservatives and I found that Phenonip, Germaben and Geogard ECT are NOT paraben-free. I felt a little disapointed cause I got into diy cosmetics in order to run away from these kind of substance. But then, I've read that Optiphen Plus is paraben- and formaldehyd-free! I have to confess that I have no idea how this one works in the recipe, just that we should use a concentration of 0,75-1,5%. Have you ever used this one in your concoctions? If you have any comments about my searching I'll be glad to hear them!
Hey! So, it sounds like you have found some pretty... fear-mongery resources (likely the EWG?). I've found Cosmetics Info to be a much better database style resource. Here's their entry on propylene glycol: www.cosmeticsinfo.org/ingredient/propylene-glycol. "It is also interesting to note that in the human body, propylene glycol is metabolized into lactic acid, which occurs naturally when muscles are exercised." At 0.5% usage rate, that 0.3% of your product would be propylene glycol, which is approved "at concentrations as high as 98% in topical drugs and 92% in oral solutions".
Parabens are also nowhere near as awful and terrifying as many sources would have you believe. Colin (a professional cosmetic chemist in the UK) has an excellent and well-balanced series on them on his blog: colinsbeautypages.co.uk/the-truth-about-parabens-vii-conclusion-more-work-needs-to-be-done-to-prove-that-parabens-are-indeed-safe/ (refer to the comments as well, there's good discussion there). You are certainly welcome to avoid them if you wish, but I'd encourage you to do more reading into them.
I've not worked with Optiphen Plus. You can learn more here (www.makingskincare.com/preservatives/), but do generally be aware that you must test and adjust the pH of everything you make if you wish to use it as it has a much narrower effective pH range than liquid germall plus, as well as having more ingredient conflicts.
Good luck and happy making!
Thanks, Marie! Actually I've seen these infos about propylene glycol all over the internet, both in english and portuguese (I'm brazilian!), and since in Brazil this kind of diy beauty products are pretty recent and the only recipes available on internet were food makeup and skin care products or nice-quality-diy-makeup-from-courses-I-can't-afford, I was a bit concerned about this subject. Thank you for all the information given and for your patience!
What's the difference between fragrance oil and essential oil? I have been reading labels more often and have read this.
I'm going to do a big ol' video on this... thinking Friday. Anywho, the quick gist of it is that essential oils are sourced directly from plant matter (squeezed, distilled, etc.) while fragrance oils are synthesized from natural and synthetic ingredients. Both, however, can be labelled as "fragrance". Stay tuned for the video! Imma talk a lot haha.
Roland Jacobs so glad you will be making a video about This! trying to mimic a favorite beard balm and almost impossible because ingredients say "fragrance". do u know any reputable synthetic fragrance oil companies?
When using a hydrosol like basil or witch hazel, do you need to add a preservative?
Yes. Please read through the preservatives section of the FAQ (www.humblebeeandme.com/faq/)!
Can we use geogard ECT for a anhydrous scrub.
Hi! Thank you for your great videos! What is your opinion on the Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate as a preservative agent for the water solution of hyaluronic acid? The alternative is Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate mixed with Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Fruit Extract. It that enough to make safe DYI cosmetics?
Great video! What about hydrosol how could l increase shelf life of a homemade hydrosol naturally? Thanks in advance 🌸
Which preservative/s would you recommend when using HA in a body butter, scrub, lotion, etc.? And one more question.. when working with magnesium oil in liquid form, do we treat it as a water or an oil? That one has me baffled lol. TIA! Your videos are extreeeeemely helpful!!!
what did people do before preservatives? it never occurred to people that cancer didn't come into play until we started using preservatives..
I highly recommend reading The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer by Siddhartha Mukherjee. Cancer has been around far longer than preservatives have.
Yaaayyyy. I love your videos. I wish I had found your videos earlier. So far ive only made for myself but was getting ready to make soaps and maybe a base for shampoo and lotions. Can you tell me if we need preservatives for soaps if they are melt and pour. I take it is already protected but I'm unsure. Basically I'm a newby. I make candles and wax melts with confidence but need to get more info before I go to making gifts etc. Thank you
Hey! You really should ask your supplier about the need for a preservative in the specific M&P base you are using. Some are true soaps, which are self-preserving due to their high pH, but some are syndet bars or blended syndet bars, and for those it's harder to say, and if the pH remains high but not high enough to self-preserve, preservative selection can be tricky. Your supplier should know these things.
fantabulous video love it😍 i make homemade soaps and serums
So I want to ask if adding phenoxy ethanol only 1% and 2% to my products will it work as a preservative because phenoxy ethanol is a preservatives for cosmetics so please help or will you prefer me adding methyl paraben ? please do reply
Please read up on your options here: makingskincare.com/preservatives/.
Thanks for these tips!
Very helpful. Thanks so much!!!!!!!
aw, the links in the description aren't working anymore. :(
Please share what you know about Lactobacillus Ferment as a preservative
Your eyes remind me of Emilia Clarke's eyes. I think it's the shape. In other words - you've got pretty eyes lol.
Also thank you for this video. It's really informative!
Thank you so much! She does have really pretty eyes 😄 And thanks for watching!
What is a recommended preservative that can handle 170 degrees F? I am making a clay pomade and need everything to be poured into the container while it's still liquid. Is Liquid Germal Plus a good preservative to use? The pomade is very similar to making a lotion. Water part and oil part. I also have Phenonip.
Phenonip is ok up to 200°F, and Optiphen Plus is good to 176°C. If your emulsifier includes polysorbate 80 you'll want to use optiphen plus :)
Can you help me also if this one is ok in the level of cosmetics preservative I remember my teacher is selling trelin P85 for her students…but it’s a industrial preservative according to my research…so I want to tell her that but I wanna make sure if this really not ok for skin care preservative
I love love love your channel 🙌🏼
Thank you!
Just another questiona Marie. I've read it a book that it would be possible to extend a preservative "life", for instance of Cosgard that is of 3months by adding citric acid. Do u know that to be true? And if so, to what extent or with how much % of the acid..? Many thanks
I think that would be a great big quagmire of "it depends", unfortunately.
Awesome video, very educational. Am making body butter, sugar scrub and black soap for sale, although they don’t contain water,Am considering adding preservatives to avoid contamination Since they will be used in the shower especially the black soap gel and sugar scrub. What do you think?
Hi Marie, your video just probably saved me from so many future mistakes!..I just decided to start making face and body creams for me, my family & friends, and the last thing I want is making them sick! so thank you very much!
I'd like to ask you a couple of questions if you don't mind helping me..If I'm not wrong I understood that no water =no need for preservative, right? If I make a cream using shea butter, coconut oil, pomegranate oil, olive oil (or other seed oil like sesame oil etc) and essential oils, would it work without preservatives? how such a lotion would last in your opinion? also, can it be stored out of the fridge? ...one more thing ...I would like to buy some pure aloe vera gel; if I'm going to use it to make a cream with other oils what is the kind of preservative (and the quantity per gram of cream) you suggest I should put ? (also..will the preservatives not be already in the aloe vera gel ?) and can I just put some alcohol in it?
Thank you very much for your tips!!!
I've got some FAQs for you :)
www.humblebeeandme.com/faqs/aloe-vera-juice-aloe-vera-gel-thing/
www.humblebeeandme.com/faqs/long-will-______-last-shelf-life/
www.humblebeeandme.com/faqs/need-add-preservative-recipe-long-will-last/
www.humblebeeandme.com/faqs/what-preservative-should-i-use-how-much-of-it-should-i-add/
www.humblebeeandme.com/faqs/common-myths-misconceptions-preservatives/
Thank you very much!
You didn't mention nullifying a preservatives efficacy with heat by introducing it into the wrong phase ;) great vid btw.
That's kind of what this video (ruclips.net/video/LaJIgqNk_1I/видео.html) is about-though for more ingredients than just preservatives :) Thanks for watching!
Hello love your videos thank you! Wondering if you've come across a preservative that doesn't have a smell? I'm finding that Optiphen plus and preservative ECO have this rubber glove kind of smell :( I'm making sugar scrubs and without fail they stink when I use preservatives :( Whats the least amount of preservative I can use? The product label says .75-1.5% but wondering your thoughts on this? Thank you!
HELLO! I have 3 questions.
1.Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sorbic Acid, and Guar Gum combined are good preservatives to use for shampoos, deep/rinse out conditioners, gels, hair/face/body creams and sprays, hair moisturizers, toners, body washes?
2. What tool do I use to measure 0.01 to 0.05 percent of preservatives for my products?
3. How do I mix three different preservatives together for them to equal 0.01 to 0.05 percent?
Hey! Please use a pre-formulated complete preservative rather than trying to blend your own-leave that to the pros. You can learn a lot about preservatives here: www.makingskincare.com/preservatives/. I think you'll find only one of the ingredients you mentioned has any preserving abilities at all.
Humblebee & Me unfortunately I didn't know about that and I bought all three preservatives before watching this video 😅. So I am stuck with all three. Do I just give the last one away????
Hey. Thank you so much for this video. I am working on creating a lipgloss product in which I will mix versagel (lip gloss base) and some oils. Do you think it is necessary to add a preservative?
This is the ingredients in Versagel: Hydrogenated Polyisobutene (and) Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer (and) Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer.
Thank you 😁
Jennifer John I didn’t and it’s been since October
Thacha Slim thank you!
Great video ! Ive just started making my own products (lotions, face products, and household cleansers). I want to use a preservative but im getting confused on which ones to use... Ive been seeing Vitamin E for things that dont have water or some into contact with water (i.e. Lip Balm). As far as the preservative for face creams, body scrubs, household cleansers with water, I dont know which paraben-free preservative to use OR how much!? is there an equation to figure out how much? and what parben-free preservative would you recommend? Also, if I were to boil the water and then use it, would that solve the problem? or would i still need a preservative.. Thanks for any information!
I'd recommend Liquid Germall Plus; it's pretty darn foolproof! I've got more info and links to a calculator here: www.humblebeeandme.com/faqs/what-preservative-should-i-use-how-much-of-it-should-i-add/. And no, boiling water doesn't negate the need for a preservative in cosmetics any more than boiling water would give a soup an indefinite shelf life :)
Humblebee & Me thank you for the recommendation ! Can this preservative be used in scrubs and oil based butters ?
@@mackenzierodgers9830 from everything I've read vitamin e is an antioxidant and it can't take the place of a preservative if you're making something that includes water as an ingredient and you want it to stay good longer than a few weeks.
Greetings Humblebee - Am new to DIY - homemade products - have started with cleaning products, which is great and am wanting to branch out and make face/body lotions and balms and would like to know what preservatives that you mostly use
Thank You
Hey! You'll find the answer to your question in my FAQ on my website at humblebeeandme.com/faq/ 😊Happy making!
Humblebee & Me
Thank You 🌞🌝🌕
This information is a goldmine! omg, thank you.😵😁👏👏👏👍💜
Thanks, Toni! Don't forget to check out my blog (humblebeeandme.com/)-I've been blogging for over 5 years while I haven't even been on RUclips for one, so there is TONS more content on the blog!
what is the best preservative for lip balms
Lip balms don't typically need a preservative as they don't contain any water-please read through the Preservatives section of the Humblebee & Me FAQ (www.humblebeeandme.com/faq/) :) Happy making!
Hi
I made a lotion and after a few days, it jxt popped out of the jar/container..so do know what must have gone wrong??? I'm thinking that its because of the preservative... I used phenylexanol
Yeah, that could indicate your preservative was not sufficient-it sounds like there may be some sort of microbial action happening that is resulting in the production of some sort of gas.
can you pleaaaase make a video about different prevers and their shelf life. Also what they work best in.
I definitely don't feel qualified to make such a video, but here's a great reference for you :) www.makingskincare.com/preservatives/
Thank you so much for this video! It makes me feel like there should be a kind of public health campaign to get all the well-meaning but misinformed DIY's sharing preservative free recipes taken down, most especially from a place like Pinterest where they spread like wildfire. And I haven't yet looked into it, but I've heard of no easy and affordable way to test for these microbes at home the way we can test for pH. I really hope I find an option.
Question for you: I have found no recipe for an apple cider vinegar toner that includes a preservative. Dr. Axe even has a recipe that adds aloe and it still lacks a preservative. Am I missing something or are all these recipes from people who just don't know why they need it?
I agree! The fear of preservatives has somehow surpassed the fear of staph infections-likely because most everything we use is so well preserved that we don't know anyone who has ever suffered the ill effects of a poorly preserved product, so it starts to seem like it's not a worry. You can purchase home tests for microbes, but I haven't found any for sale in Canada-and in any event it is not as simple as a pH test.
Those people just don't know they need it. Pure ACV wouldn't need a preservative as it's self preserving, but you really should not put pure ACV on your skin as it's far too acidic to be good for your acid mantle. Once it's diluted it needs a preservative.
Thank you so much for the reply! You make a great point about us not knowing people who have suffered the consequences of poorly preserved products. It makes me wonder what the spectrum really looks like as far as contamination and its effects on our body. Since it seems that harmful amounts of microbes can't always be detected by sight or smell I'm curious about the harm that could go undetected by us because contamination didn't result in something as obvious as staph infection.
After reading your comment I did check around and found some at home microbial tests, though it seems interpreting the results may require additional study and assistance. Good to know there are options and at least a place to start that won't break the bank!
And that's what I thought about the ACV toners (and hair rinses) which are always diluted with distilled water or witch hazel since as you said it's too harsh at full concentration. DIY can be so wonderful but it seems that the Keep It Simple Stupid adage does not really apply here and we all should take our eduction and awareness of these things quite a bit more seriously, most especially for those who intend to sell their products. Thanks again for the reply and your great videos!
Very informative. If and when I begin to make my on lotions and serums,how would I measure or how would I know what is enough for that batch. Also, is there a test to check the pH of the lotion I make, if so where can I purchase it. If I do have a product, how would I truly know if it went bad?
Hey! Please check out the "Preservatives" section in the FAQ (www.humblebeeandme.com/faq/) to get your answers :)
@@HumblebeeAndMe thank you
I want to make face spray like after shaving spray.. please suggest what preservatives I should use for selling..
great thanks for your help!
Thanks so much for watching!
I have asked the same question on a little Bill videos hoping to get an answer are skin care products Cosmetics or not thank you
Hi, the link in the website does not work! it seems all the website is not active anymore... do you know if the moved to another domain name?
Personal Care Truth seems to have vanished 🤷🏻♀️
@@HumblebeeAndMe what a waste! I really wanted to read the article you mentioned.. I wonder why they closed down :(
Hi
This video is great very informative. Thank you. Please tell me how to calculate the need of preservative when the formula has more than 50% of ingredients containing their own preservatives. For example if I m making a toner with rose hydrosol, aloe Vera juice, green tea extract or other extracts, they all contained their own preservatives. My preservative (geogard ultra) usage recommendation is 1%. Do I still add 1% or .5 to cover the water part which is without preservative.
Hi Monika, you need to use the percentage recommendation because the product that you are making is another different to each ingredient, there is the probability that you have a blend with a different pH to the range in which work each preservative in the components itself, so probably they are not working more now and also they are diluted, sorry if my English is no right to explain better the point, but I hope you understand (I am chemist).
Great video :) thanku .
Please help I'm struggling knowing how much preservitive leuicidal sf to add to my 100ml of Moisturiser, how many ml should I put in? Xx
Hey! You'll find the answer to your question in my FAQ on my website at humblebeeandme.com/faq/ 😊Happy making!
the link is not available now
what natural preservatives should I put in my skin and hair products?
I can't recommend this resource enough: www.makingskincare.com/preservatives/
Hey, I have a few questions. I see you listed optiphen as a broad spectrum preservative so after reading about it and all the other preservatives you mentioned I felt it was a good choice so I bought it but now I'm confused. Alot of websites say it protects from gram positive, gram negative, yeast and mold but in that review of 27 preservatives she says it only guards against mold somewhat. 😔 What do you think? Do you recommend it? I'm super bummed because it's the third preservative I've ordered that it seems actually isn't so great (leucidal sf, leucidal complete and optiphen). I'm planning to sell products and really want to get things right. Another question I have is you said clay is hard to preserve but don't you have a multi use clay cleaner recipe with preservative? Finally, where can I find out how long my products should last so I can put an expiration? I'm not really seeing that anywhere. Thanks!
I hope I don't come across the wrong way regarding the clay. Just trying to fully understand since I'd love to perhaps sell a clay face wash...
*cleanser
Oh, and I wanted to add that I'm so about things in their natural state and have even tried washing my hair with baking soda, clay, rye flour etc lol... I was also using body butter instead of lotion for my son's eczema (store bought lotions have not worked well except Shea moisture) but discovered homemade lotion works way better (or Shea moisture) so those experiences and your videos are really winning me over! Alot of natural products just aren't as effective on their own as I'd like so I'm really opening my mind to all this and it's been very fun so far! All that to say thanks... I'm obsessed with your videos!
Honestly, the best way to know (especially if you're going to be selling things) is to have your products professionally challenge tested; that's the only way to know if your preservative system stands up. I have heard from many people that they've had good success with Optiphen Plus, but I also trust the information in Jane's review.
Definitely don't take everything on my website (especially if it's pre 2016) as being a beacon of safety and good formulation-I'm always learning and there are definitely some things from the early days that are less than ideal. Also, NOTHING I publish is tested for sale!
Sorry this isn't more conclusive or more helpful!
hi, thanks for this video. I have a question with the usage of preservative. I made liquid soap using olive+coconut oil, thickened with salt until it has syrup-like texture. I forgot to add preservative, and up to 1 month (now as I wrote this) the soap is still fine.
Did salt do the trick here, or plant-oil-based liquid soap generally has months of shelf life?
Hey! You'll find the answer to your question in my FAQ on my website at humblebeeandme.com/faq/ 😊Happy making!
Do you need to use a preservative in a bug spray? It's mostly witch hazel with a small amount of water plus glycerine and two EOs. I was told I need to use poly 20 in it. It has a spray lid so it doesn't touch the body.
Yes, definitely. The Poly 20 will be your solubilizer to allow the EOs to mix with the water part, but you'll also need a preservative to stop gross stuff from growing :)
The 2 links don't work. Would you recommend Germaben II for body scrubs and body butters?
Also does it work when you add it to cold products?
If I add liquid germall plus should I stop listing my products as all natural? I will be adding preservative but I don't want to lie about my products! Thank you
Liquid Germall™ Plus definitely isn't natural, so it would not be truthful to label your products as "all natural" if you use it. There are good natural preservative options, though! Check out the video I shared today :)
If I only use oils to make my body oils (coconut oil, sweet almond oil, avocado oil, jojoba oil, grape seed oil, essential oils for fragrance, etc.) and no water, should I add any preservatives? I’m sorry if this is a stupid question.
love this, my very new to the DIY world. Thanks alot for the great tips and videos.
quick question, from where can i buy liquid germall plus preservative in the US?
www.humblebeeandme.com/resources/ :)
what preservative do you suggest for an all oil body butter?
I don't suggest putting preservatives in anhydrous body butters :) Please read through the Preservatives section of the FAQ (www.humblebeeandme.com/faq/) :)