ISP taps into natural trend with new preservative

International Speciality Products (ISP) has launched a new broad spectrum preservative, which is claimed to offer a consumer-friendly profile.

Optiphen MIT Ultra is said to respond to demands for more natural-based preservatives and contains phenylpropanol, a nature identical product found in flowers and berries.

The preservative does not contain formaldehyde and is effective over a broad pH range and stable at elevated temperatures up to 70°C. It also has a low odour and can be easily added directly to formulations. It is deemed suitable for use in a number of applications including sunscreens, hair and skin care and cosmetic products, according to ISP.

“Personal care consumers often consider naturally derived materials to be less toxic and more beneficial to the skin, and their use is consistent with the all-natural concept currently fuelling the personal care industry,” commented Andrea Wingenfeld, technical business manager for preservatives in Europe. “Optiphen MIT Ultra is a globally approved, chemically stable and paraben free preservative with wide raw material compatibility.”