Natural preservatives for cosmetics
The world of personal care is evolving. Consumers are demanding safer, more natural products, and this shift is driving innovation in cosmetic preservation. In recent years, there’s been a surge in the need for effective antimicrobial preservatives to maintain the shelf life of skincare, haircare, and beauty products. But not just any preservatives. The focus is on finding solutions that are efficient, chemically stable, and, crucially, safe for consumers.
Clean beauty preservatives
The cosmetic industry is embracing the potential of natural ingredients, and for good reason.
These ingredients offer a promising avenue for developing next-generation cosmetics that align with the clean beauty movement. Imagine preservatives that not only protect your favourite products but also enhance their benefits! That’s the power of natural bioactive compounds. However, the challenges still exist in finding the suitable combination of ingredients. Recently major brands have withdrawn Shampoo from the shelves for potential contamination with the bacteria Klebsiella and Ecoli.
AI-Powered Discovery: HexisPro.X Platform
Hexis Lab are using cutting-edge technology to unlock the potential of natural preservatives. HexisPro.X discovery platform uses deep learning algorithms and in-silico screening to analyze thousands of natural compounds. This innovative approach allows for rapid and cost-effective identification of compounds with potent antimicrobial capacities.
Phenoxyethanol and Synergy: A Powerful Combination
Phenoxyethanol (PE) is a widely used synthetic preservative known for its effectiveness against a broad spectrum of microorganisms. However, researchers are exploring ways to enhance its efficacy and potentially reduce its concentration in formulations. This is where the synergy between natural compounds and PE comes into play.
Key Study Findings: Natural Preservatives Step Up
Our recent study explored the antimicrobial potential of several natural compounds in synergy with PE. The results are promising:
- Effective Antimicrobial Activity: The natural compounds demonstrated significant microbiostatic capacities, comparable to PE.
- Synergistic Power: When combined with PE, these compounds enhanced its antimicrobial efficacy, suggesting the possibility of reducing PE concentrations in formulations.
- Time-Kill Kinetics: Time-kill assays confirmed the rapid and effective killing of microorganisms by the natural compounds, both alone and in synergy with PE.
- Formulation Stability: The natural compounds demonstrated stability and maintained their antimicrobial activity in cosmetic formulations.
Beyond Preservation: The Added Skincare Benefits
But here’s the exciting part: these natural compounds aren’t just preservatives. They offer a range of additional skincare benefits!
- Antioxidant Power: They can neutralize free radicals and protect the skin from environmental damage.
- Anti-Aging Effects: Some compounds can stimulate collagen production and protect the extracellular matrix, reducing wrinkles.
- UV Protection: Certain compounds can act as natural UV filters, protecting the skin from harmful radiation.
- Hyperpigmentation Control: They can inhibit melanin synthesis, helping to fade age spots and even out skin tone.
Our research paves the way for a new era of personalized cosmetics. Imagine choosing products where the preservative itself enhances the desired skincare benefit! For example, a natural sustainable cosmetic preservative with anti-aging properties could be used in an anti-wrinkle cream.
Sustainable preservatives for extending shelf life
Our study highlights the potential of Al-selected natural compounds as effective and multifunctional sustainable preservatives in personal care. Our pipeline compounds offer a promising alternative to traditional preservatives, with the added benefit of enhancing skincare. As research continues, we can expect to see even more innovative and sustainable preservative solutions that will revolutionize the beauty industry.
Email Us to find out more about how our clients are using HexisPro.X for their research and product development. Info@hexislab.com
