Optiphen Plus is an innovative, globally accepted liquid preservative blend designed to protect cosmetics from various microbial threats, including bacteria, mold, and yeast. This paraben-free and formaldehyde-donor-free system provides a clean, reliable preservation option compatible with numerous raw cosmetic ingredients.
It is suitable for water-based products, emulsions, and both leave-on and rinse-off formulas like creams, lotions, and body washes.
Important Usage & Safety Guidelines:
Temperature Stability: Add Optiphen Plus during the cool-down phase when the base temperature is below 176°F (80°C).
Strict pH Requirement: This preservative requires an acidic environment, working effectively only at pH levels below 6.0, ideally between 4.0 and 5.5.
Application Restrictions: Intended for external topical cosmetic use only. Avoid using in lip balms, lip stains, oral care products, or aerosol products.
Recommended Usage Rate: 0.75% to 1.5% of your total formulation weight.
Note: Recommended usage rates are baseline guidelines. You are advised to conduct independent microbiological challenge testing on all new formulations to ensure proper preservation efficacy.
Critical Technical Information:
The Thinning Effect on Emulsions: Caprylyl glycol, an ingredient in Optiphen Plus, can significantly reduce the viscosity of creams and lotions. This might turn a thick cream into a runny lotion, so you may need to increase thickeners like Cetyl Alcohol or Xanthan Gum.
Solubility Limits: Optiphen Plus is partially water-soluble. If added to a waterless formula, it may separate. In purely water-based formulations like toners, it requires a solubilizer or vigorous mixing to stay suspended.
Importance of pH Under 6.0: The Sorbic Acid component loses its ability to fight mold and yeast if the pH rises above 6.0. If a cream has a pH of 6.5, the preservative will be ineffective.
Low-Temperature Discoloration: Optiphen Plus can develop a slight haze or form crystals if exposed to cold temperatures during shipping or storage. It can be restored to a clear liquid by gently warming and shaking the bottle before use.