Why Do We Use These Preservatives? The answer to this is to keep our products safe for you to use. If we didn’t use these preservatives in the products that needed them they would be contaminated within about four weeks, and we know the bacteria that forms is far more dangerous than the reportedly negative effects of the synthetic preservatives we use. We feel here at LanaB that we would compromise our customer’s safety if we did not use these preservatives in our creams and lotions. We add them to some of our products in very low quantities, less than 0.5%. In fact, in the main is it against the law not to add preservatives unless the manufacturer can guarantee that the consumer refrigerates the product and uses it only for a set amount of time that the manufacturer states. Not all our products contain preservatives, actually only five, and if we can source and use the natural alternatives successfully first, those being Vitamin E, Grape Seed Oil and Tea Tree Essential Oil, we do. Please be aware if you choose to use creams and lotions without preservatives to store them in the refrigerator and use them within a six week period for your safety. Parabens Parabens are groups of antifungal and antimicrobial agents including propylparaben and methylparaben. Estimates quote that around 95% of all cosmetic products contain some form of paraben, however these are not all derived from the same source, some are naturally derived whilst others are synthetic. At LanaB we use the naturally derived parabens within our creams and lotions to prevent fungal and microbial growth. For instance Propylparaben is derived from ‘benzoin tree gum” and is a safe preservative. So safe in fact that parabens are commonly used in products made for infants and people with sensitive-skin. You’ll also find these parabens in packaged foods under the preservative numbers 216 and 218 as they are food grade. In foods they prevent the growth of moulds and yeast. They can be found in beer, fruit deserts, processed fish, mayonnaise, salad dressings, spiced sauces, mustard, processed vegetables, frozen dairy products, jellies and jams, soft drinks, fruit juices, syrups, and lollies also in vitamins, sunscreen and some pharmaceutical products.