Is it possible to preserve creams and lotions and stay natural?

The jury is still out on this one. There are numerous preservatives available that are plant based, but no single ingredient will preserve perfectly. There are concerns about the health risks of Grapefruit seed extract, which is widely used in the cosmetic industry.

  I want my products to be natural, plant based and organic if possible, but there is no getting away from the need for preservatives. I know from past disasters (ug! Don’t ask!) that skipping preservative is very risky, as is using an incomplete system.

  There may be a solution on the horizon however. I was directed to Biosecur by Erin and Stacie of Fig+Sage, 2 wonderful and generous bloggers who search out truly organic and eco conscious products to write about.  

  BioSecur is the first USDA certified organic preservative system. Much to my surprise, I found that the head office and plant is about an hours drive from my home. So at least I won’t have to worry about high shipping costs or over-zealous customs officers.

  I have ordered a sample and I will be speaking with a rep tomorrow to get pricing etc. In the meantime…this is what they claim:

BIOSECUR™ is the first certified organic ingredient for use in cosmetics and personal care products. Extracted from various citrus fruit (except grapefruit), it contains citrus bioflavonoids in a complex compound that possesses superior antioxidant properties.

With BIOSECUR™, manufacturers can meet safety-conscious consumers’ demand for pure, natural cosmetic and personal care products. In laboratory tests, BIOSECUR™ exhibits efficacy at low concentrations— with use levels of 2% or less. Plus its 100% water-solubility makes it easy-to-use in standard manufacturing processes and formulations.

Founded in 2000, BIOSECUR LAB, Inc. utilizes the expertise of microbiologists and chemists to create high-quality functional bio-ingredients. The BIOSECUR™ C-series is designed specifically for use in cosmetics and personal care products.

  I’ll let you know what else I discover...like is it an irritant on the skin? Is it cost prohibitive?

Stay tuned!