| What is it? | Geogard® ECT is a liquid natural broad-spectrum preservative.
It is comprised of (source: Arxada):
It is also sold as Preservative Eco, Mikrokill ECT, and Plantaserv M, so be sure to check the INCI on what you’re purchasing. Geogard® ECT is part of the Geogard® line; the “ECT” is important as the different products within the line all have different INCIs. Other Geogard® products include Geogard Ultra®, Geogard® 221, Geogard® 111S, Geogard® 111A, and Geogard® Boost PHC. |
| INCI | Benzyl Alcohol (and) Salicylic Acid (and) Glycerin (and) Sorbic Acid |
| Appearance | Pale yellow liquid |
| Usage rate | 0.6–1% |
| Scent | Almondy/marzipan-y |
| pH | Effective from 3–8.
Geogard® ECT will cause the pH of your formulations to drop. |
| Solubility | Said to be water soluble, though some have reported challenges with it in entirely hydrous products. |
| Why do we use it in formulations? | Geogard® ECT protects our formulations from microbial spoilage (bacteria, yeast, fungus); I’ve found it to be an effective and easy-to-use natural preservative option. |
| Do you need it? | You should have at least one broad-spectrum preservative; Geogard® ECT is a good choice if you prefer natural preservatives and don’t mind the almondy scent. |
| Refined or unrefined? | Geogard® ECT only exists as a refined product. |
| Strengths | Unlike many natural preservatives, Geogard® ECT has a maximum functional pH range of 8 (most natural preservatives require an acidic pH to function well). The manufacturer lists lip products as a possible application. |
| Weaknesses | Noticeable almondy scent that can get stronger as the formulation ages.
Can cause the pH of a formulation to drop so much that it needs to be raised. Due to the salicylic acid content, Geogard® ECT cannot be used in products for children under 3 except for shampoo. If you are using Geogard® ECT to preserve a formulation that contains salicylic acid as a skincare active, the salicylic acid content in the preservative will count towards the maximum allowable concentration of 2%. If we assume Geogard® ECT contains 15% salicylic acid, when used at 1%, the overall formulation will contain 0.15% salicylic acid. This leaves room for 1.85% additional salicylic acid. |
| Alternatives & Substitutions | You’ll need another broad-spectrum preservative. Liquid Germall™ Plus is an effective, versatile choice, but it isn’t natural. Natural alternatives include Geogard Ultra™; and Euxyl k 903, though both have a lower effective pH range. |
| How to Work with It | Include Geogard® ECT in the cool down phase of your formulations, and ensure the final pH of the formulation is the in 3–8 range. |
| Storage & Shelf Life | Stored somewhere cool, dark, and dry, Geogard® ECT should last at least a year. |
| Tips, Tricks, and Quirks | Looking for a natural way to add an almondy scent to your formulation? Preserve it with Geogard® ECT! |
| Recommended starter amount | 30mL (1fl oz) |
| Where to Buy it | Purchase Geogard® ECT from an online DIY ingredient supplier. It can be helpful to do a Google search for the INCI as this product is sold under a variety of names. |
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