Liquid Germall Plus is a preservative that increases the shelf life of the products and prevents bacterial outgrowth on them. It is very convenient and easy to use in formulations and also very beginner-friendly. It offers a wide variety of formulations and pH environments, which helps to formulate recipes very easily.
Let’s get more details on what Liquid Germall Plus is, its properties, and how safe it is to use.
What is Liquid Germall Plus?
Liquid Germall Plus is a broad-spectrum, water-soluble preservative commonly used in cosmetics, personal care, and skincare formulations to prevent microbial growth and extend product shelf life.
- INCI: Propylene Glycol, Diazolidinyl Urea, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
- Solubility: Water (To be added at the cool-down phase of your formulations)
- Appearance: Clear, viscous liquid
- Usage rate: 0.1-0.5% of the final weight of the formulations
- pH: 3-8 pH
- Temperature: Should be added under 40°C.
Being a broad-spectrum preservative, Liquid Germall Plus is active against a multitude of microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, yeast, and mold.
Liquid Germall Plus is very effective at low concentrations and is compatible with virtually all cosmetic ingredients, including complex ingredients such as hydrolyzed proteins and surfactants.
Liquid Germall Plus is compatible with all types of solutions, including cationic, anionic, and nonionic solutions. It is active at a very low concentration and should be stored in a cool, dark, and dry place.
Is Liquid Germall Plus A Broad-spectrum Preservative? What Is The Meaning Of Broad-spectrum?
Yes, Liquid Germall Plus is a broad-spectrum preservative. Broad-spectrum preservatives are a special class of preservatives that offer protection from different groups of microorganisms. These preservatives are active against three primary categories of microorganisms, namely:
- Gram-positive bacteria
- Gram-negative bacteria
- Fungi
What Can Liquid Germall Plus Be Used For?
Germall Plus is a widely used preservative that is compatible with almost every kind of formulation. It is used in cosmetic products that have water as an ingredient. Since most skincare or haircare products, such as shampoo, conditioner, and body washes, are an emulsion of oil and water, they must include Liquid Germall Plus as a preservative. Additionally, cosmetics like emulsified scrubs that come in regular contact with water or are stored in humid places also require the use of Liquid Germall Plus.
Is Liquid Germall Plus Vegan?
Liquid Germall Plus is made of Propylene Glycol, Diazolidinyl Urea, and Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate. Since none of these ingredients are derived from animals, Germall Plus is a vegan-compliant preservative.
Is Liquid Germall Plus Water-soluble?
Yes, Germall Plus is water-soluble. Additionally, it also works well in water-in-oil and oil-in-water emulsions.
How Much Liquid Germall Plus Should I Use?
Germall Plus is very active in very low concentrations. Ideally, a concentration of 0.1-0.5% of Liquid Germall Plus is highly effective in cosmetic formulations. As per formulating reports, this preservative is also effective in as low as 0.06% concentration.
Is Liquid Germall Plus Safe For Skin?
Yes, Liquid Germall Plus is safe to use and has a safe toxicology profile. It can be used for both leave-on and rinse-off products. Since Liquid Germall Plus is used in very low concentrations (0.1-0.5%), it is safe for the skin.
The primary components of Liquid Germall Plus are Propylene Glycol, Diazolidinyl Urea, and Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate.
- Diazolidinyl Urea contained in Liquid Germall Plus is considered safe up to 0.5%; given it is just a component of the overall product with a maximum usage rate of 0.5%, we’re well below that.
- Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate in Liquid Germall Plus is present at 0.004%. 0.5% usage means a finished formulation will contain 0.002% Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate. This is well below the CIR limit of 0.1%.
However, precautionary measures need to be taken while using Liquid Germall Plus. It can cause an allergic reaction if it comes in contact with the eye. Additionally, Liquid Germall Plus should not be used in oral hygiene products or products for children under three years of age.
Is Liquid Germall Plus Safe For Hair?
Yes, Germall Plus is safe for hair.
Germall Plus is a broad-spectrum preservative that prevents bacterial contamination in body products. Since most hair care products such as shampoos, conditioners, and hair masks are an emulsion of water and oil, Liquid Germall Plus is an integral part of these products. In addition to being paraben-free and vegan, it works over a wide pH range and does not damage the hair in any way.
Is Liquid Germall Plus A Paraben?
No, Liquid Germall Plus is not a paraben-containing preservative. It is a paraben-free preservative and does not cause skin care issues like contact dermatitis. It is compatible with most cosmetic ingredients and has no known inactivators.
Is Liquid Germall Plus Formaldehyde-free?
No, Liquid Germall Plus is not a formaldehyde-free preservative. Diazolidinyl Urea present in Liquid Germall Plus is a formaldehyde releaser. However, as the quantity of Liquid Germall Plus used in skincare products is very low (0.1-0.5%), it can still offer broad-spectrum protection.
The formaldehyde released is in very tiny, regulated amounts that are generally considered safe by health authorities in the U.S., EU, and Canada.
How Long Does Liquid Germall Plus Last?
If Liquid Germall Plus is stored in a cool, dark place without any direct sunlight, it lasts for up to two years.
Can Liquid Germall Plus Be Used In Serums?
Theoretically, Liquid Germall Plus can be used in any skincare or hair care product, including serums. However, since only water-based serums are susceptible to contamination from bacteria, Liquid Germall Plus is required for water-based serums.
Oil-based serums such as almond oil or argan oil serums do not need Liquid Germall Plus.
Can Liquid Germall Plus Be Used In Anhydrous Products?
Technically speaking, bacterial outgrowth takes place only in skincare products that contain water as its ingredient. Since anhydrous products do not contain water, they do not require Liquid Germall Plus as a preservative.
However, there are some anhydrous products such as body scrubs that remain in the humid environment of the bathroom or are exposed to water due to regular usage. To prevent the contamination of these anhydrous products, Liquid Germall Plus may be used.
What Can I Use Instead Of Liquid Germall Plus?
Liquid Germall Plus is a broad-spectrum preservative that works over a wide range of pH. This means that it is active over various acidic and alkaline solutions. The best alternative to Liquid Germall Plus is Optiphen Plus. However, other preservatives like Germaben and Geogard Ultra can also be used.
Note: Always check the specifications provided by your supplier before using any preservatives in your formulations.
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