Rating | Ingredient |
---|---|
Good |
1, 2-HexanediolA preservative belonging to a class of agents known as higher molecular glycols.
Categories:
Preservatives
|
Poor |
borateGroup of compounds used in cosmetics in small quantities primarily as pH adjusters (they have a pH...
Categories:
Preservatives
|
Poor |
boraxAlso known as sodium borate decahydrate, borax is a mineral composed of sodium, boron, oxygen, and...
Categories:
Preservatives
|
Good |
boric acidMay have skin soothing and restoring benefits…
Categories:
Preservatives
|
Poor |
bronopolTechnical name 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol, a formaldehyde-releasing preservative (Source:...
Categories:
Preservatives
|
Good |
butylparabenParabens are a group of controversial preservatives that include butylparaben...
Categories:
Preservatives
|
Good |
benzoic acidPreservative used in skincare products; it is considered less sensitizing than some other forms of...
Categories:
Preservatives
|
Good |
benzothonium chlorideCompound used as a preservative in cosmetics. It is generally considered less sensitizing…
Categories:
Preservatives
|
Good |
benzyl alcoholAn organic alcohol that occurs naturally in some fruits (apricots, cranberries) and teas.
Categories:
Preservatives
|
Good |
caprylyl glycolSkin and hair conditioning agent that may be plant-derived or synthetic. Often used as part of a...
Categories:
Plant Extracts,
Preservatives
|
Average |
DMDM hydantoinFormaldehyde-releasing preservative...
Categories:
Preservatives
|
Good |
ethylhexylglycerinA synthetic skin-conditioning agent used as a preservative or as a carrier or suspending agent for...
Categories:
Miscellaneous,
Preservatives
|
Good |
ethylparaben
Parabens are a group of controversial preservatives that include butylparaben...
Categories:
Preservatives
|
Good |
chloropheneUsed as a preservative in cosmetics.
Categories:
Preservatives
|
Good |
chloroxylenolChemical compound used as a preservative and cleansing agent due to its action...
Categories:
Preservatives
|
Good |
chlorphenesinType of alcohol used as a preservative in cosmetics...
Categories:
Preservatives
|
Good |
dehydroacetic acidA synthetic preservative uses in amounts of 0.6% or less. Sometimes its salt form (known as sodium...
Categories:
Preservatives
|
Average |
diazolidinyl ureaWater-soluble preservative.
Categories:
Preservatives
|
Average |
formaldehyde-releasing preservativeCommon type of preservative found in cosmetics...
Categories:
Preservatives
|
Good |
Germaben IITrade name for diazolidinyl urea.
Categories:
Preservatives
|
Good |
isobutylparabenParabens are a group of controversial preservatives that include butylparaben...
Categories:
Preservatives
|
Poor |
Kathon CG
Categories:
Preservatives,
Sensitizing
|
Best |
hoelenA mushroom that grows underground on the roots of pines and other trees around the world. It has...
Categories:
Plant Extracts,
Preservatives
|
Average |
imidazolidinyl ureaConsidered a weaker preservative than its "cousin" diazolidinyl urea because it is beneficial against...
Categories:
Preservatives
|
Good |
iodopropynyl butylcarbamateA synthetic preservative that is typically used in concentrations of 0.1% or less. It is very...
Categories:
Preservatives
|
good |
phenoxyethanolCommon cosmetic preservative that is considered one of the less sensitising ones to use in...
Categories:
Preservatives
|
Good |
phenoxyisopropanolAlcohol used as a solvent and preservative.
Categories:
Preservatives
|
Best |
phytosphingosineLong-chain, complex fatty alcohol that functions as a water-binding agent and also has preservative... |
Poor |
methylchloroisothiazolinoneIn combination with methylisothiazolinone, it goes by the trade name Kathon CG (among others)....
Categories:
Preservatives,
Sensitizing
|
Poor |
methyldibromo glutaronitrileFormaldehyde-releasing preservative...
Categories:
Preservatives
|
Poor |
methylisothiazolinonePreservative that’s generally recommended for use only in rinse-off products such as cleansers or...
Categories:
Preservatives,
Sensitizing
|
Good |
methylparaben
Parabens are a group of controversial preservatives that include butylparaben...
Categories:
Preservatives
|
Good |
o-cymen-5-olPreservative used in cosmetics.
Categories:
Preservatives
|
Good |
parabensGroup of preservatives, including butylparaben, propylparaben, methylparaben, and ethylparaben,...
Categories:
Preservatives
|
Good |
polyaminopropyl biguanideSynthetic polymer that functions as a preservative.
Categories:
Preservatives
|
Good |
potassium sorbateUsed as a preservative, almost always used in conjunction with other preservatives.
Categories:
Preservatives
|
Good |
preservativesSubstances used in cosmetics to help defend against contamination of products...
Categories:
Preservatives
|
Good |
propylparaben
Parabens are a group of controversial preservatives that include butylparaben...
Categories:
Preservatives
|
Average |
quaternium-15Formaldehyde-releasing preservative used in cosmetics. It can be a skin sensitizer, as can all...
Categories:
Preservatives
|
Good |
sodium dehydroacetateOrganic salt used as a preservative.
Categories:
Preservatives
|
Good |
sodium hexametaphosphateSalt with multiple functions in cosmetics. It can act as a detergent, an emulsifier, a texturizer,... |
Good |
sodium hydroxymethylglycinateDerived from amino acids and used as a skin- and hair-softening agent, and to a lesser extent as...
Categories:
Preservatives,
Hydration
|
Average |
sodium lactobionateWhite, crystalline powder used to synthesize other chemicals. May function as a preservative in...
Categories:
Preservatives
|
Average |
sodium metabisulfiteReducing agent that alters the structure of hair. It can also be used as a preservative in... |
Average |
sodium sulfiteReducing agent that alters the structure of hair. It can also be used as a preservative in cosmetic...
Categories:
Preservatives,
Sensitizing
|
Good |
sorbic acidPreservative derived from mountain ash berries or manufactured synthetically. Sorbic acid is used...
Categories:
Preservatives
|
Poor |
styrax benzoin
Categories:
Preservatives
|
Good |
sodium benzoateSalt of benzoic acid used as a preservative.
Categories:
Preservatives
|
Good |
sodium citrateUsed primarily to control the pH level of a product, this ingredient also has antioxidant and...
Categories:
Antioxidants,
Preservatives
|
Poor |
zinc sulfateChemical compound resulting from the interaction of zinc with sulfuric acid. There is little...
Categories:
Preservatives,
Sensitizing
|
Good |
zinc gluconateZinc gluconate is the zinc salt of gluconic acid produced from glucose that functions as a preservative.
Categories:
Preservatives,
Hydration
|
Good |
leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrateLeuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate is a preservative created by fermenting Raphanus sativus (radish) roots.
Categories:
Plant Extracts,
Preservatives
|
Good |
sodium levulinateSodium levulinate is the salt of levulinic acid, a synthetic organic acid that helps condition and soften skin.
Categories:
Skin-Softening,
Preservatives
|
About the Experts
Paula Begoun is the best-selling author of 20 books about skincare and makeup. She is known worldwide as The Cosmetics Cop and creator of Paula’s Choice Skincare. Paula’s expertise has led to hundreds of appearances on national and international radio, print, and television including:
The Paula's Choice Research Team is dedicated to busting beauty myths and providing expert advice that solves your skincare frustrations so you can have the best skin of your life!