Preservative system for cosmetic formulations

Abstract

Disclosed is a novel method for preserving cosmetic / personal care formulations through a two component preservative system, said system comprising (a) Component I which functions to eliminate the existing microbial contamination load in a natural cosmetic formulation base through an optimized pasteurization method that avoids deep freezing; and (b) Component II that includes the step of adding synergistic blends of fractionated essential oils, extracts and isolated compounds to the pre-pasteurized cosmetic base obtained through the method of component I, wherein the synergistic blends sustain the effects of pasteurization through anti-microbial and anti-oxidant effects, said anti-oxidant effects enhancing further the anti-microbial effects by virtue of inhibiting lipid per oxidation that facilitates the undue proliferation of microbe.

Description

[0001]This application is a non-provisional filing of provisional application No. 61 / 050,050 filed on May 2, 2008.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention in general relates to methods of preserving cosmetic / personal care formulations to enhance shelf life and stability. In particular, the present invention discloses a novel method of preserving cosmetic / personal care formulations through a two component preservative system, said system comprising (a) Component I which functions to get rid of the existing microbial load (contamination) in a natural cosmetic formulation base using an optimized pasteurization method that does not involve the step of deep freezing; and (b) Component II that includes the step of adding synergistic blends of fractionated essential oils, extracts and isolated compounds to the pre-pasteurized cosmetic base obtained through the method of component I, wherein the said synergistic blends sustain the effects of pasteurization through anti-microbial and anti-o...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0033]A. Optimally preserved cosmetic compositions, said compositions preserved by a two-component system, said system comprising (a) Component I which functions to get rid of the existing microbial load (contamination) in a natural cosmetic formulation base using an optimized pasteurization method that does not involve the step of deep freezing; and Component II that includes the step of adding synergistic blends of fractionated essential oils, extracts and isolated compounds to the pre-pasteurized cosmetic base obtained through the method of component I, wherein the said synergistic blends sustain the effects of pasteurization through anti-microbial and anti-oxidant effects, said anti-oxidant effects further enhancing anti-microbial effects by virtue of inhibiting lipid peroxidation that facilitates the undue proliferation of microbes.

[0034]B. Natural preservative compositions including synergistic blends of essential oil fractions and extracts selected from the group consisting of Cinnamaldehyde (90-95%); Thymol (95-98%), Eugenol (95-99%), Citral (85-90%), Monolaurin (Assay-90%), Garcinol (Assay-97%), and supercritical fluid extracts of Magnolia officinalis comprising (a) magnolol and (b) honokiol, with a dual mode of action including anti-microbial and anti-oxidant effects wherein said anti-oxidant effects synergistically enhance anti-microbial preservative effect by inhibiting lipid peroxidation that facilitates undue proliferation of microbes.

Problems solved by technology

It requires long periods of storing the pasteurized cosmetic at freezing temperatures; (ii) Pasteurization is not a sterilization method.

Handling pasteurized products requires extreme care; (iii) Maintenance of the pasteurization effect is also very difficult.

Hence pasteurization alone may not be enough to prolong the shelf life of cosmetic formulations.

However environmental concerns prevail regarding the usage of such chemical preservatives.

2003)(iii) Parabens can cause skin irritation and contact dermatitis in individuals with Paraben allergies.

JAMA 237(5) 1594-5:1977)(iv) The penetration of Parabens into skin is influenced by its lipophilicity—which provokes accumulation of these molecules into skin; potential cause of skin toxicities.