Maybe. Different preservatives have different strengths and weaknesses, and different requirements for success that may or may not be compatible...
Can I use a different preservative than the one you’ve used?
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Results for "preservative"
Do I need to add a preservative to this if I plan on keeping it in the fridge?
Think of unpreserved DIYs that contain water like leftover food. How long would you leave a chili or a soup in your fridge before deeming it...
How do I know my preservative is working?
The two biggest ways you'll know if your preservative is working are either the test of time (months and years), or a professional microbial...
What preservative can I add to lip products?
Both Geogard 221 and Geogard ECT are recommended for use in lip products by the manufacturer. Anhydrous lip products (ones that don't contain any...
If I add one water containing ingredient to an otherwise water-free formula, do I need a preservative?
Yes. The inclusion of water always means you need a preservative unless the product is intended for immediate use. You will also need to incorporate...
Preservative Calculator
You can use this handy-dandy calculator to figure out how much preservative you need to add to your final project. You can use grams or ounces, but...
If I don’t have a broad-spectrum preservative, what can I use instead?
Nothing. Seriously. There is nothing that will replace a true broad-spectrum preservative. If you do not have one, you should buy one, or you should...
Some common myths & misconceptions about preservatives
Whenever you've got water in a product, you need a broad spectrum preservative. Here are some common misconceptions about times when a preservative...
Do I need to add a preservative to my soap?
If you are making your soap properly (that is, without a ridiculously high superfat percentage, and ensuring you're measuring & calculating...
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If you’re looking for a specific type of formula (lotion, body butter, shampoo, etc.):
Browse by category in the “Free Formulations” section.
If you’re looking for a formula that uses a specific ingredient:
Look that ingredient up in the free Humblebee & Me DIY Encyclopedia and scroll down to the bottom of the entry for a list of formulations that use it!