Preservatives

Nobody's out here getting excited about preservatives on an ingredient label — but they're quietly doing the most important job in your product. They stop bacteria, mould, and fungi from turning your conditioner into a petri dish.

Why Your Products Need Them

Any product with water in it (which is... basically all of them) is a potential playground for micro-organisms. Without a preservative system, that expensive curl cream could be contaminated within days. And using a product full of bacteria? Way worse for your hair and scalp than any preservative ever could be.

The Main Types

Parabens: The most well-known (and most controversial) preservatives in beauty. They've been studied extensively and the scientific consensus says they're safe at the concentrations used in cosmetics. That said, plenty of people choose to avoid them — and there's no shortage of paraben-free alternatives on the shelf.

Other Preservatives: This is a broad category that includes things like phenoxyethanol, sodium benzoate, and potassium sorbate. Each targets different types of micro-organisms and has its own strengths and limitations.

The Verdict: Should You Avoid Them?

Generally, no. Preservatives are essential for keeping your products safe to use. The real question is which ones you're personally comfortable with — and that's a totally valid thing to research and decide for yourself.

Just keep in mind: products marketed as "preservative-free" either have a very short shelf life, need to be refrigerated, or are truly anhydrous (meaning they contain zero water). If a water-based product claims no preservatives, that's actually a red flag, not a selling point.