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04.08.2022 - Cosmetics

Determination of the Effectiveness of Preservatives in W/O Formulations, Part I: Test Execution and Limitations

In the current issue of the magazine Cosmetics & Toiletries, a publication by Yudith Manrique‐Otero, Ph.D., Joelle Nussbaum (BAV Institute), and Ulrich Eigener discusses the efficacy of preservatives in W/O formulations. The first part of the publication addresses the performance of preservative challenge tests (PCT) and their limitations.

The publication addresses the following topics, among others:

• General differences between O/W and W/O formulations in the performance of preservative challenge tests
• The peculiarities/difficulties of a preservative challenge test in W/O formulations
• Different contamination pathways (extrinsic and intrinsic) that can lead to contamination of a W/O formulation.

The performance of a preservative challenge test even in W/O formulations – despite a basic microbiological stability – is indispensable.

In the second part of this publication, which will be released in August, you can look forward to a discussion revolving around the higher variability of test results in W/O formulations. 

If you have questions about PCTs of cosmetic products – please feel free to contact your customer advisor.

With more than 10,000 PCTs per year, the BAV Institute is one of the largest microbiological testing laboratories in Germany.

Source: Cosmetics & Toiletries, July 20, 2022