Preservatives are an integral part of any cosmetic formulation. Be it a shampoo, emulsified body butter, or lotion, the shelf life of the products is directly influenced by the efficiency of any given preservative.
One of the best and broad-spectrum preservatives that are used in skincare and haircare products is Optiphen Plus. This article will delve into the properties of Optiphen Plus, its benefits, and how to use it in skincare and haircare products.
What is Optiphen Plus?
Optiphen Plus is a broad-spectrum liquid preservative used in skincare and haircare formulations to protect products from bacteria, yeast, and mold. It’s a paraben-free and formaldehyde-free option, making it popular among natural formulators. It works well in products that contain water or water-based ingredients, such as lotions, creams, toners, serums, and cleansers.
Optiphen Plus contains three key components:
- Phenoxyethanol – The main antimicrobial agent that kills bacteria and inhibits their growth.
- Caprylyl Glycol – A skin-conditioning agent that also boosts preservative efficacy against yeast and mold.
- Sorbic Acid – Provides strong antifungal protection.
Other properties of Optiphen Plus –
| Property | Details |
|---|---|
| INCI | Phenoxyethanol (and) Caprylyl Glycol (and) Sorbic Acid |
| Appearance | Clear liquid |
| Solubility | Limited water solubility — not ideal for very watery products like hydrous serums unless paired with a solvent/solubilizer |
| Usage rate | 0.75–1.5% |
| pH | Works best below 6 |
| Temperature | Should be added below 80 °C |
| Limitation: Water solubility | Limited water solubility — needs solvent in high-water products; can cause emulsion separation if added too early or at high temperatures; less effective above pH 6 |
Is Optiphen Plus A Broad-spectrum Preservative? What Is The Meaning Of Broad-spectrum?
Yes, Optiphen Plus is a broad-spectrum preservative.
Broad-spectrum preservatives are those that offer all-around protection against various forms of microorganisms that can contaminate the skincare and haircare products. They are useful against bacteria, yeast, fungi, and mold. The main classes of microbes that a broad-spectrum preservative combats are:
- Gram-positive bacteria
- Gram-negative bacteria
- Mold
- Yeast
What Can Optiphen Plus Be Used For?
Optiphen Plus is a broad-spectrum preservative used in a wide range of skincare and haircare products. It is particularly compatible with low pH systems. In general, Optiphen Plus can be used in skincare or hair care products that have water, hydrosols, or water-soluble ingredients.
The types of products where Optiphen Plus can be used are:
- Rinse off products such as shampoos, conditioners, face washes, and body washes.
- Personal care products such as gels, wipes, creams, lotions, and emulsified body butter.
- Optiphen Plus is also used in oil-in-water and water-in-oil type emulsion systems.
It should be noted that Optiphen Plus is not suited for use in oil-based products, anhydrous products, or cosmetics that are to be applied on the lips or eyes.
Is Optiphen Plus Vegan?
Yes, Optiphen Plus is a vegan preservative.
Since the main components of Optiphen Plus, such as phenoxyethanol, sorbic acid, and caprylyl glycol, are not derived from animals, it makes Optiphen Plus safe for use in vegan cosmetic formulations.
Is Optiphen Plus Natural?
No, Optiphen Plus is not a natural preservative, but it is a paraben-free and formaldehyde-free preservative.
Is Optiphen Plus Water-soluble?
Yes, Optiphen Plus is water-soluble. In fact, it is primarily used in water-based products or emulsion systems that contain water.
How Much Optiphen Plus Should I Use?
Optiphen Plus is effective at even low concentrations. The recommended usage rate for Optiphen Plus varies between 0.75-1.5%.
Is Optiphen Plus Safe For Skin?
Yes, Optiphen Plus is safe for use on the skin.
Optiphen Plus is a globally approved preservative that provides broad-spectrum protection from bacteria, fungi, and yeast. It is free from parabens and formaldehyde. The presence of caprylyl glycol also delivers emolliating benefits to the skin.
Optiphen Plus is found to have no carcinogenic or mutagenic effect on human beings. It does not cause any birth defects.
Although phenoxyethanol can irritate the skin when used in large quantities, it is deemed safe for use under the prescribed usage rate of 0.75-1.5%. Additionally, it is advisable not to use Optiphen Plus in products designed for use on lips and eyes.
Is Optiphen Plus Safe For Hair?
Yes, Optiphen Plus is safe for use in hair care products.
Optiphen Plus, being paraben and formaldehyde-free, does not dry out the hair or make it frizzy. Additionally, caprylyl glycol present in it has a moisturizing effect on the scalp and strands of hair.
Is Optiphen Plus A Paraben?
Optiphen Plus is a paraben-free preservative. It is free from compounds like isopropyl paraben, isobutyl paraben, Propylparaben, and butylparaben.
Being a paraben-free preservative makes Optiphen Plus is safe for use in skincare and haircare products and does not cause any allergies, skin cancer, birth defects, or genetic defects.
Is Optiphen Plus Formaldehyde-Free?
Optiphen Plus is a formaldehyde-free liquid preservative system. This ensures that Optiphen Plus-based cosmetics do not cause any redness, irritation, rashes, or scaling of the skin.
How Long Does Optiphen Plus Last?
Optiphen Plus can last from 6 to 18 months if it is stored in a cool, dark, and dry place at a temperature below 60ºC.
Is Optiphen Plus A Good Preservative For Lotion?
Yes, Optiphen Plus is a good preservative for lotions.
Being a broad-spectrum preservative, Optiphen Plus can prevent the growth of microbes like bacteria, fungi, yeast, and mold in lotions and remain effective for up to three years. Additionally, caprylyl glycol present in Optiphen acts as an emolliating base and gives a moisturizing feel to the skin.
Does Optiphen Plus Prevent Mold?
Yes, Optiphen Plus is a broad-spectrum preservative, and it offers protection to skincare products from mold.
How Long Does Optiphen Plus Preserve?
Optiphen Plus is a very efficient preservative and can extend the shelf life of the product up to 18 months.
Optiphen vs Optiphen Plus- What are the differences?
The differences between Optiphen and Optiphen Plus are as follows:
| Optiphen Plus | Optiphen | |
| Ingredients List (INCI) | Phenoxyethanol, Sorbic acid, Caprylyl glycol | Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl glycol |
| Solubility | Water | Water and Oil (can be used in anhydrous products too) |
| Usage Process | It can be added directly to the formulation during pre- or post-emulsification at or below 80°C | It can be added directly to the formulation during pre- or post-emulsification at or below 60°C (140°F). |
| pH Range | Below 6 | 4-8 |
| Antifungal Activity | Yes (due to the presence of sorbic acid) | No |
| Usage Rate | 0.75 to 1.5% | 0.3 to 1.5% |
Can Optiphen Plus Be Used In Oil-based Products?
No, Optiphen Plus cannot be used in oil-based products. This is because sorbic acid present in Optiphen Plus is insoluble in oil but soluble in water. Optiphen can be used in place of Optiphen Plus for oil-based products, as it is soluble in oil.
Can You Use Optiphen Plus In Sugar Scrubs?
Optiphen Plus is generally not used in sugar scrubs. This is because sugar scrub is an anhydrous product. Since Optiphen Plus is a water-soluble preservative, it will not be effective in preventing bacterial growth on sugar scrubs.
However, considering the fact that sugar scrubs come in contact with water regularly and are thus susceptible to contamination, it is beneficial to use Optiphen as a preservative in sugar scrubs.
What Is The pH of Optiphen Plus?
The pH of Optiphen Plus varies between 4 to 6. Optiphen Plus is more suited to an acidic medium where the pH does not rise above 6.
Is Optiphen Oil-soluble?
Unlike Optiphen Plus, Optiphen is oil-soluble. This makes Optiphen useful in oil-based cosmetic products, such as lip balms and scrubs.
What Is Optiphen ND?
Optiphen ND is another paraben-free and formaldehyde-free preservative that is mainly suited for surfactant-based systems. It is made of phenoxyethanol, benzoic acid, and dehydroacetic acid.
Similar to Optiphen Plus, it is water-soluble and is used in skincare products that have a pH below 6. Optiphen ND has the recommended usage rate of 0.5-1.5% and should not be used in products that are in contact with the eyes or lips.
What Are The Weaknesses Or Limitations Of Optiphen Plus Preservative
| Limitation | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Limited water solubility | Not very water-soluble—ineffective in watery formulations like hydrous serums unless a solvent is used. |
| Can cause product separation | When added into emulsions too early or at high temperatures, it may destabilize and separate the product. |
| Narrow optimal pH range | Works best below pH 6.0—performance and effectiveness can decline outside this range. |
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