At Boogie and Bean, we believe in safe, effective, and skin-friendly products for babies and families. While we prioritize natural and gentle ingredients, preservatives are essential to ensure the safety, stability, and effectiveness of our products.
1️⃣ Why Do We Need Preservatives?
💧 Most Baby Products Contain Water
- Lotions, shampoos, body washes, and wipes contain water, which creates the perfect environment for bacteria, mold, and yeast to grow.
- Without preservatives, these harmful microbes can multiply within days, leading to spoilage and potential skin infections.
🌍 Exposure to Air, Hands & Surfaces
- Every time you pump lotion, scoop cream, or spray a mist, you expose the product to bacteria from the air and hands.
- Preservatives prevent contamination, ensuring the product remains safe to use over time.
⏳ Longer Shelf Life Without Refrigeration
- Without preservatives, most natural skincare products would expire in just a few weeks.
- Preservatives allow products to remain safe and effective for months, even when stored at room temperature.
👶 Baby Skin is Delicate & More Susceptible to Infection
- Babies have sensitive, developing skin, which makes them more vulnerable to harmful bacteria or mold exposure.
- A properly preserved product ensures protection against microbial growth that could lead to rashes, irritation, or infections.
2️⃣ Why Can’t We Just Skip Preservatives?
🚫 “Preservative-Free” Isn’t Always Safe
- Some brands advertise “preservative-free” products, but without proper preservation, they can spoil quickly, leading to hidden microbial contamination.
- This can pose a greater risk than using a safe, well-researched preservative.
🚫 Essential Oils & Antioxidants Are NOT Preservatives
- Some people believe ingredients like tea tree oil, rosemary extract, or Vitamin E can act as natural preservatives.
- While they provide antioxidant benefits, they do NOT protect against bacteria, mold, or yeast growth.
🚫 Refrigeration Doesn’t Fully Prevent Spoilage
- Keeping a product in the fridge slows bacterial growth but doesn’t stop it completely.
- Plus, refrigeration isn’t practical for everyday products like baby lotions or wipes.
3️⃣ Why Do We Use Safe, Mild Preservatives Instead of Harsh Ones?
We choose globally approved, skin-friendly preservatives that:
✔ Protect your baby’s skin from harmful bacteria
✔ Are formaldehyde-free & non-toxic
✔ Are used in minimal concentrations to avoid irritation
✔ Meet safety standards in the US, EU, and Australia
4️⃣ What About Natural Preservation?
Why We May Not Always Choose a Natural Preservative
🔹 The Truth About Natural Preservatives
While there are natural preservative options, they often come with limitations that can impact product safety, stability, and effectiveness:
❌ Limited Effectiveness – Many natural preservatives only protect against bacteria but not mold and yeast, requiring additional synthetic stabilizers.
❌ Shorter Shelf Life – Without robust preservation, natural formulations may spoil within weeks instead of months.
❌ Higher Risk of Contamination – Some “natural” preservatives require higher concentrations to be effective, which can lead to sensitivities or irritation in delicate baby skin.
❌ Not Always Sustainable – Some natural preservation methods rely on harvesting plant-derived antimicrobials, which may require excessive resources and cause environmental impact.
🔹 Why We May Use a Non-Natural Preservative
To ensure our products are safe, effective, and long-lasting, we sometimes choose mild, globally approved preservatives over fully natural options. Here’s why:
✅ Broad-Spectrum Protection – Non-natural preservatives provide stronger, more reliable protection against bacteria, mold, and yeast.
✅ Longer Shelf Life – Our products stay fresh and effective for months, reducing waste and frequent repurchasing.
✅ Gentler on Sensitive Skin – Many synthetic preservatives (like Sodium Benzoate & Euxyl K903) are used in minimal amounts, making them less likely to cause irritation than high doses of natural preservatives.
✅ Regulatory Approval – Some natural preservatives aren’t approved for baby skincare due to inconsistent microbial protection. We only use globally recognized, baby-safe options.
5️⃣ Our Promise: Safe, Balanced Preservation
We only use what is needed to keep your products safe—nothing more, nothing less. Our preservatives are:
✔ Used at the lowest effective concentration
✔ Globally approved & tested for safety
✔ Free from formaldehyde, and harsh chemicals
💡 A well-preserved product is a safer product for your baby.