Discover new Systems for the preservation of certified natural and organic cosmetics

Ready to participate?

Here is some important information, that you should consider when working on this challenge. All information given can be downloaded via the tab 'Submission'.

Criteria & guidelines

• Solution should be Natrue® compliant https://www.natrue.org/ categories "natural" and / or "naturally derived" (not "nature identical = synthetically made)
• Solution or compound costs should be adapted to the brand positioning in the market
• Aiming to replace traditional chemical preservative ingredients by exploring viable, alternative, innovative naturals (botanical / algae extracts) acting as preservatives, that can meet the stability and microbiological testing requirements for high-quality products. 
• Verifying safety claims and promoting ingredient transparency (multi-beneficial claims) to alleviate safety concerns. 
• Omitting preservatives entirely (without using ethanol or polyols) by exploring new formulation technologies.
• Pursuing safety testing of alternative preservation techniques to prove efficacy. 
• Improving shelf life of cosmetic products (Minimum shelf life is 25 months ideally it should be 30 or more).

Specifications:

• Non-exhaustive materials which are not listed in Annex V of the cosmetic regulation EC 1223/2009 that are already available on the market and/or used should not be considered. Such as Levulinic Acid, Anisic Acid, Cinnamic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Phenetyl Alcohol, Phenylpropanol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Zinc Lactate, 1,2 Pentanediol, 1,2 Hexanediol, Sodium Caproyl Lauroyl Lactate, Caprylyl Glyceryl Ether
• Solution should be compliant with the requirements of the EU Cosmetic Regulation EC 1223/2009
• Use of preservatives listed in Annex V of the EU Cosmetic Regulation is not permitted.
• Avoid use of Nanomaterials

Current efforts of Weleda (Status Quo)

• Natural preservative ingredient already available on the market
• Contacts to Testing Institutes (commercial and universities) with expertise in efficacy prove. 
• Natrue® compliance - https://www.natrue.org/
• Know-how and expertise in formulating and testing alternative preservatives in personal care, but deficit of resources for practical comprehensive screening.