The quest for a perfect preservation: COSSMA

Dr Andrea Mitarotonda from Neal’s Yard Remedies assesses the current challenges in a formulator’s quest for the ideal cosmetic preservation. Read all the details in his COSSMA interview.

COSSMA: Why is preservation so important?

Dr. Andrea Mitarotonda, Chief Research & Innovation Officer, Neal’s Yard Remedies:

The use of substances aimed at preventing or reducing microbiological spoilage of cosmetic products is both an ethical and a legal obligation. It is ethical because the use of microbiologically contaminated products can lead to serious side effects including infections that could potentially be lethal. This rather extreme scenario refers to a contaminated product that is accidentally instilled into the eyes or applied onto broken skin and can consequently enter the blood stream.

On the other side, and thankfully, adequate preservation of finished goods is also a legal obligation covered in the European Cosmetic Regulation EC/1223/2009. Annex V lists those substances, i.e. preservatives, that are allowed in cosmetic products. But also, the Regulation makes it clear that results of Preservation Efficacy Test (P.E.T.) of products must be provided in the Safety Report (Part A-3).

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