KEM DHA Preservative (Cosgard Type)

Description

KEN DHA preservative is effective against a wide range of microorganisms (including moulds, fungi, yeasts and bacteria) and can be used across a broad pH range.
It provides stability when cosmetics are stored for long periods, without refrigeration.

At low concentrations, it is effective for making any cosmetic product.

Benefit from a broad-spectrum preservative approved by Ecocert (Cosmos) for making natural cosmetics.

• Appearance: clear, pale-yellow liquid with a mild characteristic odour.
• Composition:
  • Benzyl alcohol: 85.0 - 89.0%
  • Dehydroacetic acid: 7.7 - 8.3%
  • Water: 4.5 - 5.5%

Use level: from 0,2 to 0,8%. pH: between 2 and 6,5. Solubility: 1,060 g/ml

Manufactured without animal or plant material (or genetically modified components).
Permitted by ECOCERT in certified ecological and organic cosmetics.
Accepted under Soil Association and Natrue standards.
Global approval (including Japan).
Not tested on animals.

• Broad-spectrum preservative system, most effective at acidic pH levels up to 6,5-7.
• Appearance. Clear, pale-yellow liquid.
• Broad range of effectiveness against bacteria and especially fungi and yeasts. pH between 3 and 6,5-7.
• Particularly indicated for preserving aqueous systems, surfactants, emulsions and oils.
• Use in natural and organic cosmetics under COSMOS, Ecocert, Soil Association, BDIH, ICEA and NaTrue certifications.

Extended description

Kem DHA Preservative is a preservative system with a broad range of effectiveness, based on the use of nature-identical substances.
The system offers a mild and effective alternative for preserving cosmetics, designed to replace other preservatives that are currently being questioned.
Suitable for use in a variety of cosmetics with a slightly acidic pH, its use is approved globally and without restrictions in rinse-off and leave-on products. All its ingredients are nature-identical, food-grade and approved for use in natural and organic cosmetics under most certification standards (COSMOS Ecocert, Soil Associaton, BDIH, ICEA, NaTrue).

Antimicrobial activity

Kem DHA Preservative is a balanced combination of the antibacterial properties of benzyl alcohol and the antifungal action of dehydroacetic acid, forming an effective protection system against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, as well as yeasts and moulds.
Because it is based on organic acid salts, which are active in their undissociated forms, Kem DHA exhibits its greatest antimicrobial activity in formulations with acidic pH levels up to 6,5-7.

Properties and stability

This preservative is very soluble in alcohol, highly soluble in propylene glycol and slightly soluble in water. It can tolerate manufacturing temperatures up to 80°C. It should be used in formulations with a pH of 3 to 6,5-7.

As with all preservatives containing organic acids, Kem DHA is pH-sensitive and its antimicrobial activity increases as pH falls. Therefore, the lower the pH of the formula, the greater its preservative efficacy, with maximum efficacy below pH 7, preferably 6,5 or lower.

Applications

Kem DHA can be used to preserve a variety of cosmetics against microbial growth, particularly aqueous systems, surfactants, emulsions and oils. Its use is also permitted as a synthetic preservative in natural cosmetics under the main certification bodies.

Typical applications include:

• Haircare: gels, shampoos, lotions, conditioners, mousses.
• Face and body care: serums, toners, gels, lotions, creams, wet wipes.
• Make-up: foundations, wet wipes, powders.
• Shaving products: soaps, gels, balms, lotions, creams.
• Sun care: sunscreens, tanning products, after-sun care.
• Bath products: gels, foams, soaps, intimate hygiene, oils, talcs, wet wipes.
• Baby products: shampoos, bath products, lotions, creams, oils, talcs, wet wipes.
• Raw materials: surfactants, plant extracts.

Use level

Kem DHA Preservative can be used at concentrations of 0,2 to 0,8 % without adding other preservatives.

Regulatory approvals.

The components of Kem DHA have been tested and widely used in cosmetic, pharmaceutical and food products.
Kem DHA is approved in the EU, USA, Brazil, Latin America, Japan, China and ASEAN countries in all cosmetic categories, for both rinse-off and leave-on products. Its use in aerosol formulations is not permitted in the EU, Brazil or ASEAN.