To prevent product contamination, it is essential to know and avoid the most common sources of contamination of cosmetic products to produce well-preserved, shelf-stable products.
- Raw Materials: If the raw materials used in cosmetics manufacturing are heavily contaminated, the finished product will be similarly contaminated, and any preservative system present will be unnecessary. It is, therefore important to source from reputable sources that practice good manufacturing and storage practices.
- Water used in product manufacture is the most frequent source of contamination, often supporting large numbers of micro-organisms. Using distilled or deionized water stored properly will help keep product shelf stable
- Fats, waxes, and refined oils contain relatively few organisms: This are generally safe and of not much concern
- Natural materials such as herbs are frequently heavily contaminated by fungi, yeasts and bacteria: Add broad spectrum preservative when formulating with herbs like botanical extracts and powders.
- Other possible source of contamination is the air, which contains mainly mold and bacterial spores and skin cocci. Environmental control is facilitated by covering of containers and reduction of air-currents over a product, which helps to reduce contamination.