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China Surfactant Detergent & Cosmetics ›› 2021, Vol. 51 ›› Issue (10): 975-980.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1001-1803.2021.10.008

• Development and application • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Evaluation of preservation for preservative-free cosmetics

Li Zengting1,Lyu Xin2,Li Qian1,Cao Qianchao1,Cui Xuewen1,*()   

  1. 1. Sichuan Institute for Drug Control, Chengdu, Sichuan 611731, China
    2. West China School of Public Health, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
  • Received:2021-02-20 Revised:2021-09-28 Online:2021-10-22 Published:2021-10-21
  • Contact: Xuewen Cui E-mail:ruixidddd@163.com

Abstract:

The preservative performance of preservative-free cosmetics in the market was evaluated by neutralizer verification and preservative challenge testing. 15 batches of cosmetics without preservatives were collected. Total Aerobic Microbial Count (TAMC), Total Molds and Yeasts Count (TMYC) and pH value were determined according to “Safety and Technical Standards for Cosmetics” (2015 Edition)(hereinafter referred to as the Standards). Water activity was determined according to GB 5009.238—2016 “National Food Safety Standard Determination of Water Activity of Food”. Preservative challenge testing was carried out according to the methods of relevant foreign standards. The results of TAMC and TMYC meet the requirements of the Standards. The results of neutralizer verification show that 3 batches (20%) need neutralizer to be replaced or further diluted. The results of preservative challenge testing show that, bacteria of 14 batches decrease by more than 99.9% in 7 days, and molds and yeasts of 9 batches decrease by more than 90% in 7 days. Only 9 batches (60%) of the samples meet the requirements of non-eye cosmetics of CTFA and AOAC. Samples are generally weakly acidic or neutral, with the highest pH value of 9.73 and the lowest of 4.68. The water activity of most samples is in the range of 0.850-1.000, except for the ones with the low values of 0.643 and 0.751. It is shown that, in microbiological determination, the risk of missing rate will be high according to the methods of the Standards, and some preservative-free cosmetics may have potential safety hazards; it is urgent to introduce the neutralizer verification and preservative challenge testing to the national standards of microbiological test for cosmetics.

Key words: cosmetics, preservative-free, preservation, efficiency evaluation

CLC Number: 

  • TQ658