Regulation of Cosmetic Preservatives in the EU
Preservatives are used in cosmetic products to ensure their safety during their lifetime. As many cosmetics contain water, once exposed to the environment, they become prone to the growth of microorganisms. Furthermore, every time a consumer interacts with the product, it gets introduced to a new population of microorganisms directly from the air or skin.
Microbial contamination leads to product spoilage. It destroys the intrinsic properties of the product, thereby creating a health risk to the consumer. Hence, preservatives are extremely important in cosmetic products.