Preservatives: Liquipar Optima

Liquipar Optima is a liquid, broad spectrum preservative that look at a lot like Liqupar PE at first glance, but when we take a look at the INCI, we can see there's an difference in the percentages and the inclusion of methylparaben! The INCI is phenoxyethanol (66% to 74%), methylparaben (14% to 16%), isopropylparaben (5% to 7%), isobutylparaben (3.5% to 5.5%), and butylparaben (3.5% to 5.5%). It contains parabens and it not a formaldehyde donor.

Why add the methylparaben? We know that when we make the paraben chain longer, the water solubility decreases. Methylparaben is the most water soluble of all the parabens, so we can use this in a wider variety of products that might not include a lot of oils and still have it work well.

Like the other Liquipar preservatives, this one isn't so heat sensitive and can be added to your oil including creations when the temperature is under 80˚C, so you can add it pre- or post-emulsion, or even in the cool down phase. It's best for products with a pH of 3 to 8, and it's suggested you use it at 0.5% to 1%. Its water solubility is low, so you'll want to reserve this preservative for products that contain oils, fatty acids, or fatty alcohols, or use propylene glycol or glycerin to dissolve the preservative before using.

Summary of Liquipar Optima:
INCI: Phenoxyethanol, methylparaben, isopropylparaben, isobutylparaben, butylparaben.
Usage at 0.5% to 1% when the creation is below 80˚C.
Not suitable for water only creations.
Good products with a pH of 3 to 8.