What are preservatives?

Let's be real, no one wants to put a product on their face that's full of bacteria, right? That's what preservatives are for. They're a really necessary part of almost every cosmetic product you'll find, from your face cream to your body wash. They basically make sure the formula stays safe and stable long after you've opened it.

What are they made of?

There are two main types you'll see on an ingredient list:

• Synthetic, made in a lab (like parabens or phenoxyethanol) - very effective.
• Natural, from plants (like rosemary extract) - less powerful, sometimes still cause reactions.

Can they cause problems?

A lot of people worry about them, but in the low amounts used in cosmetics, they're generally considered safe. Still, if you have really sensitive skin, you might want to look for products with fewer preservatives.

What about preservative-free products?

This is a bit of a tricky one. They often just use other ingredients that happen to have preserving effects. These products almost always have a much shorter shelf life and sometimes need to be kept in the fridge.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, preservatives are a crucial part of modern cosmetics. They're what keep your products from going bad, which is a good thing for everyone.