Cosmetic formulations are prone to contamination due to their high water content, pH and temperature range and ingredients used, which can act as nutrients.
In the past, parabens, formaldehyde-donors or halogenated products were most frequently used to preserve the formulation. Due to different reasons, these preservative groups are in discussion and can be replaced by a combination of organic acids like benzoic acid, sorbic acid or anisic acid and sorbitan caprylate at a pH < 6.0.
