Preservatives: Liquid Germall Plus

If you've read this blog for any length of time, you'll know that my preservative of choice is liquid Germall Plus. It contains propylene glycol (60%), diazolidinyl urea (39.6%), and iodopropynyl butylcarbamate (0.6%). It's a broad spectrum liquid preservative that should be used at 0.1% to 0.5% in the cool down phase of your products. It's suitable for all but anhydrous products - the diazolidinyl urea is water soluble, so it's not suitable for all oil creations like scrubs or lotion bars.

It is a formaldehyde releaser, thanks to the diazolidinyl urea, but it is paraben free. It's suitable for all pH ranges we encounter in our products, but it isn't approved for aerosol use or oral use because of the IPBC. (This does not include misters like body sprays or toners, but pressurized aerosols). We use it in the cool down phase of our products as the diazolidinyl urea is not heat stable. Use it at 0.1% to 0.5% at temperatures lower than 50˚C.

This is my personal preference when it comes to preservatives as it's inexpensive, easy to use in the cool down phase of my products, and it doesn't mess with the emulsions or stability of the products. I've tried it in pretty much every product I make except for anhydrous scrub bars, and I've never had trouble with contamination.

Summary of liquid Germall Plus. 
INCI: Propylene glycol, diazolidinyl urea, and iodopropynyl butylcarbamate.
Usage: 0.1% to 0.5% in the cool down phase of your creations.
Water soluble - not suitable for anhydrous products.
Suitable for all pH ranges.