Who are they ?

According to Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009 of the European Parliament, “preservative agents” are substances which are exclusively or mainly intended to prevent the development of micro-organisms in the cosmetic product.

Annex V of this regulation lists the preservative agents allowed in cosmetic products (non-exhaustive list), as well as their maximum concentrations.

Why are they used?

Because cosmetics constitute a privileged environment for the development of micro-organisms.

Indeed, even if a cosmetic product does not necessarily have to be sterile, its microbiota (all the microorganisms that compose it) must be controlled. The objective is for the cosmetic product to maintain its homogeneity, texture, color, etc. but above all its action!

Is it dangerous to use it?

Normally no.

Between Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009 and various articles of the Public Health Code (CSP), the use of preservatives evolves with scientific knowledge, which allows the regular updating of legal texts. However, there are holes in the racket.

Already, the legislation may not be respected.

Then, the cumulative use of cosmetic products can lead to exceeding the recommended dose.

But above all, some preservatives have side effects. They can be irritating and allergenic. Some are suspected or even recognized as having a harmful effect. For example :

• parabens (some are endocrine disruptors)

• phenoxyethanol (allergen causing eczema and hives, harmful to the liver and blood, carcinogenic risk)

• triclosan (role of endocrine disruptor, action on the thyroid, reproduction and development)

• but also formaldehyde, formaldehyde releasers, isothiazolinones, iodopropynyl butylcarbamate, cetrimonium bromide, etc.

How does Hodygé formulate without preservatives?

Using alkaline ionized water at pH12 (no, you won't melt) as the main ingredient in our cosmetic formulations. This water is 100% natural and 100% biocompatible. This allows us to have cosmetic products with a high alkaline pH, guaranteeing the microbiota of our formulations.

In addition, we have carefully selected packaging to prevent any alteration of our products: tamper-proof pack, Airless pack.