How a Balm Lasts Without Preservatives
No water, no need for the preservatives lotions rely on. Here's how natural balms stay fresh, and how to store them.
Transcript
How does a balm last without preservatives? No water. Microbes need water. Lotions have it, so they need preservatives. Oil-only products, like balms, body oils and lip balms, usually don't. Oils can still go rancid. Light, heat and air speed it up. So store them cool, dark and dry, and trust your nose. Our Body Balm: four ingredients, zero water.
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Key points from the full guide
- Microbes need water to grow, so oil-only products like balms, body oils, and lip balms usually do not need a broad-spectrum preservative.
- Products that contain water, such as lotions and creams, need an effective preservative system to stay safe.
- Oils spoil mainly by oxidation, which causes rancidity; light, heat, and air speed it up, and vitamin E can help slow it.
- The open jar symbol with a number and M shows how many months a product is meant to be used after opening.
- Store natural products cool, dark, and dry, keep water out of jars, and trust your nose.
Read the full guide: Natural Products and Shelf Life: How to Store Clean Beauty