The Problem of Preservation in the 1990s: III. Agents With Preservative Function Independent of Formaldehyde Release

Although the formaldehyde-releasing biocides are extensively used by the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries for product preservation, agents with preservative function independent of formaldehyde also play an important part in the preservation of these products. Of these, the paraben esters enjoy the most widespread use, whereas other preservatives such as antioxidants (butylated hydroxyanisole and butylated hydroxytoluene), triclosan, sorbic acid, and thimerosal are less frequently used. The exact place that methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone (Kathon CG, Rohm and Haas, Philadelphia, PA) is to take in cosmetic preservation is yet to be determined. It is the purpose of this overview to study the most important of these nonformaldehyde-releasing biocides with particular reference to antimicrobial potencies, applications, and prevalences of sensitivity. It is hoped that perspective will be gained in the problems of cosmetic preservation as a whole and comparisons of frequencies of preservative sensitivity.