Preservatives

For some reason, this always seems to be a hot issue when discussing my lotion, so I thought I would address this here once and for all.

A question I am almost always asked about my lotion is do I use a preservative and if I do what type of preservative do I use? I know exactly what they are asking . . . do I use a preservative containing parabens. Before I answer that question, let me explain . . .

A product (i.e. lotion) that contains water must contain a preservative. (This excludes soap because soap is cured.)
The only way for a person to get around the requirement of a preservative is to make a small batch of lotion for your own use, store it in the refrigerator, and use it within 2 weeks. Can you imagine every time you wanted to use your lotion having to go to the refrigerator - how inconvenient that would be!!

Parabens developed a bad name in 2004 when they were suggested to be linked to the retaining of estrogen in the tissues of the human body. Parabens have since, time and time again, been proven safe. The amount of parabens required to cause any trouble is so enormous and the media, once again, has been having a field day.

So, to answer the million dollar question. Yes, my preservative does contain parabens. A batch of lotion which will make 5 bottles of lotion takes 1 teaspoon (yes, one teaspoon) of preservative. So each bottle of lotion contains only 1/5 of a teaspoon of preservative. I don't think you have much to worry about. Below, I am posting a few articles about the parabens.

http://www.cosmeticscop.com/parabens-are-they-really-a-problem.aspx

http://www.cosmeticsinfo.org/HBI/9/