Preservatives play a crucial role in the beauty industry by maintaining the safety and quality of cosmetic products. Choosing the right preservatives not only ensures product longevity but also protects consumers from potential health risks.
Why Do Cosmetics Need Preservatives?
Cosmetic products applied directly to the skin, hair, or other body parts are prone to contamination by microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and yeast. Without preservatives, these products can become breeding grounds for harmful microorganisms, potentially causing irritation, infections, or other health hazards. Moreover, preservatives help maintain the product’s effectiveness throughout its shelf life.
Types of Approved Cosmetic Preservatives
The Indonesian Food and Drug Authority (BPOM) regulates the use of preservatives in cosmetics under BPOM Regulation No. 17 of 2022. This regulation specifies a list of approved preservatives and their maximum allowable concentrations in cosmetic products. Each preservative has a safe usage limit to ensure it poses no risk to consumers.
List of Preservatives Permitted in Cosmetics
| No | ACD Number | Material Name / Cas Number | Maximum allowed concentration | Other restrictions and requirements | Labeling or warnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 29 | 2-Phenoxyethanol Phenoxyethanol (INCI); CAS No. 122-99-6 | 1.0% | ||
| 2 | Moved in Appendix V of this Agency Regulation number 1541 | ||||
| 3 | 14 | Formic acid and its sodium salt Formic acid (INCI); CAS No. 64-18-6 Sodium formate (INCI);CAS No. 141-53-7 | 0.5% (as acid) | ||
| 4 | 48 | Glutaraldehyde (pentane-1,5-dial) Glutaral (INCI); CAS No. 111-30-8 | 0.1% | Prohibited in aerosol preparations (spray) | Contains glutaraldehyde (if the concentration of glutaraldehyde in cosmetics exceeds 0.05%) |
| 5 | 30 | Hexamethylenetetramine (INN) Methenamine (INCI); CAS No. 100-97-0 | 0.15% | ||
| 6 | 19 | Hexetidine (INN) Hexetidine (INCI); CAS No. 141-94-6 | 0.1% | ||
| 7 | 12 | 4-Hydroxybenzoic acid (INCI),Methyl- and ethyl- esters, and their salts 4-Hydroxybenzoic acid (INCI); CAS No. 99-96-7 Methylparaben (INCI); CAS No. 99-76-3 Potassium ethylparaben (INCI); CAS No. 36457-19-9 Potassium paraben (INCI); CAS No. 16782-08-4 Sodium methylparaben (INCI); CAS No.5026-62-0 Sodium ethylparaben (INCI); CAS No. 35285-68-8 Ethylparaben (INCI); CAS No. 120-47-8 Sodium paraben (INCI); CAS No. 114-63-6 Potassium methylparaben (INCI); CAS No. 26112-07-2 Calcium paraben (INCI); CAS No. 69959-44-0 | – 0.4% (as acid) for single ester – 0.8% (as acid) for mixed esters | Each ester in the mixture must not exceed 0.4% (as acid) | |
| 8 | 46 | N-(Hydroxymethyl)-N-(dihydroxymethyl-1,3-dioxo-2,5-imidazolidinyl-4)-N’-(hydroxymethyl) urea Diazolidinyl urea (INCI);CAS No. 78491-02-8 | 0.5% | ||
| 9 | 35 | 1-Hydroxy-4-methyl-6-(2,4,4-trimethyl pentyl)-2-pyridone and its monoethanolamine salt Pyroctone olamine (INCI); CAS No. 68890-66-4 | Rinse-off preparations: 1% Leave-on preparations: 0.5% | ||
| 10 | 9 | Inorganic sulphiTest and hydrogen sulphites/bisulphites (8) Sodium sulfite (INCI); CAS No.7757-83-7 Ammonium bisulfite (INCI); CAS No. 10192-30-0 Ammonium sulfite (INCI); CAS No. 10196-04-0 Potassium sulfite (INCI); CAS No. 10117-38-1 Potassium hydrogen sulfite (INCI); CAS No.7773-03-7 Sodium bisulfite (INCI); CAS No. 7631-90-5 Sodium metabisulfite (INCI); CAS No. 7681-57-4 Potassium metabisulfite (INCI); CAS No. 16731-55-8 | 0.2% (as free SO₂) | ||
| 11 | 56 | 3-Iodo-2-propylbutylcarbamate Iodopropylyl butylcarbamate (IPBC) (INCI); CAS No. 55406-53-6 | Rinse-off preparations: 0.02% | – Not to be used in dental and oral care preparations or lip preparations – Not to be used in cosmetics for children under 3 years of age, except in bath/shower preparations and shampoos | Not to be used for children under 3 years of age (10) |
| 12 | 56 | 3-Iodo-2-propylbutylcarbamate Iodopropylyl butylcarbamate (IPBC) (INCI); CAS No. 55406-53-6 | Leave-on preparations: 0.01%, except deodorants and antiperspirants: 0.0075% | – Not to be used in dental and oral care preparations or lip preparations – Not to be used in body lotions and body creams(9) – Not to be used in cosmetics for children under 3 years of age | Not to be used for children under 3 years of age (11) |
| 13 | 38 | 4-Isopropyl-m-cresol Isopropyl Cresol (INCI); CAS No. 3228-02-2 o-Cymen-5-ol (INCI); CAS No. 3228-02-2 | 0.1% | ||
| 14 | 31 | Methenamine 3-chloroallylochloride (INN) Quaternium-15 (INCI); CAS No. 4080-31-3 | 0.2% | ||
| 15 | 57 | MethylisothiAzolinone 2-Methyl-2H-isothiazol- 3-one (INCI)(5); CAS No. 2682-20-4 | Rinse-off preparations: 0.0015% | Not to be used in leave-on preparations | |
| 16 | 58 | Ethyl-Ν-α-dodecanoyl-L-arginate hydrochloride(6) Ethyl Lauroyl Arginate HCl (INCI); CAS No. 60372-77-2 | Other preparations: 0.4% | Not to be used in lip preparations, dental and oral care preparations (except mouthwashes), or spray preparations | |
| 17 | 43 | 1-Phenoxypropan-2-ol (12) Phenoxyisopropanol (INCI); CAS No. 770-35-4 | Rinse-off preparations: 1.0% | Not to be used in leave-on preparations | |
| 18 | 28 | Poly(1-hexamethylenebiguanide hydrochloride) Polyaminopropyl biguanide (INCI); CAS No. 32289-58-0/27083-27-8/28757-47-3/133029-32-0 | 0.1% | Not to be used in cosmetics that may cause lung exposure through inhalation | |
| 19 | 59 | 1,2,3-Propanetricarboxylic acid, 2-hydroxy-, monohydrate and 1,2,3-Propanetricarboxylic acid, 2-hydroxy-, silver(1+) salt, monohydrate (INN) Citric acid (and) Silver citrate (INCI) | 0.2%, equivalent to 0.0024% silver | Not to be used in dental and oral care preparations or preparations used around the eyes | |
| 20 | 2 | Propionic acid and its salt Propionic acid (INCI); CAS No. 79-09-4 Ammonium propionate (INCI);CAS No. 17496-08-1 Calcium propionate (INCI); CAS No. 4075-81-4 Magnesium propionate (INCI); CAS No. 557-27-7 Potassium propionate (INCI); CAS No. 327-62-8 Sodium propionate (INCI); CAS No. 137-40-6 | 2% (as acid) | ||
| 21 | 3 | Salicylic acid andThe salt (13) Salicylic acid (INCI); CAS No. 69-72-7 Calcium salicylate (INCI); CAS No. 80024-35-1 Magnesium salicylate (INCI); CAS No. 18917-89-0 MEA-salicylate (INCI); CAS No. 59866-70-5 Sodium salicylate (INCI); CAS No. 54-21-7 Potassium salicylate (INCI);CAS No. 578-36-9 TEA-salicylate (INCI); CAS No. 2174-16-5 | 0.5% (as acid) | Not to be used in preparations for children under 3 years of age, except shampoo | Not to be used for children under 3 years of age (14) |
| 22 | 52 | Silver chloride coated Titanium dioxide; CAS No. 7783-90-6 | 0.004% (as Silver chloride) | 20% Silver chloride (w/w) on Titanium dioxide Prohibited for use in: – Preparations for children under 3 years of age – Oral hygiene preparations – Preparations used around the eyes and lip preparations | |
| 23 | 51 | Sodium hydroxymethylamino acetate Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate (INCI); CAS No. 70161-44-3 | 0.5% | ||
| 24 | 4 | Sorbic acid (hexa-2,4-dienoic acid) and its salt Sorbic acid (INCI);CAS No. 110-44-1 Calcium sorbate (INCI); CAS No. 7492-55-9 Sodium sorbate (INCI); CAS No. 7757-81-5 Potassium sorbate (INCI); CAS No. 24634-61-5 | 0.6% (as acid) | ||
| 25 | 23 | Triclocarban (INN) (15) Triclocarban (INCI); CAS No. 101-20-2 | 0.2% | Purity criteria: 3,3′,4,4′-Tetrachloroazobenzene less than 1 ppm; 3,3′,4,4′-Tetrachloroazoxybenzene less than 1 ppm | |
| 26 | 25 | Triclosan (INN) (16) 5-Chloro-2- (2,4- dichlorophenoxy)phenol Triclosan (INCI); CAS No. 3380-34-5 | 0.3% | – Toothpaste – Hand soap – Bath soap – Liquid bath soap – Deodorant (non-spray) – Face powder and blemish concealers – Nail preparations for cleaning nails before application of artificial nail systems – Shampoo – Conditioner – Facial cleanser | |
| 27 | 25 | Triclosan (INN) (16) 5-Chloro-2- (2,4- dichlorophenoxy)phenol Triclosan (INCI); CAS No. 3380-34-5 | 0.2% | Mouthwash | |
| 28 | 18 | Undec-10-enoic acid and its salt Undecylenic acid (INCI); CAS No. 112-38-9 Potassium undecylenate (INCI);CAS No. 6159-41-7 Sodium undecylenate (INCI); CAS No. 3398-33-2 Calcium undecylenate (INCI); CAS No. 1322-14-1 TEA-undecylenate (INCI); CAS No. 84471-25-0 MEA-undecylenate (INCI); CAS No. 56532-40-2 | 0.2% (as acid) | ||
| 29 | 8 | (17) Zinc Pyrithione (INCI);CAS Number 13463-41-7 | Rinse-off preparations: (a) Hair preparations: 1.0% (b) Other preparations: 0.5% | – Not to be used in leave-on preparations (b) Not to be used in dental and oral care preparations | |
| 30 | 60 | 4-(3-ethoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)bUtan-2-one Hydroxyethoxyphenyl Butanone (INCI); CAS No. 569646-79-3 | 0.7% | ||
| 31 | 42 | Chlorhexidine (INN) and digluconate/diacetate/ dihydrochloride salt Chlorhexidine (INCI); CAS No. 55-56-1 Chlorhexidine digluconate (INCI); CAS No. 18472-51-0 Chlorhexidine diacetate (INCI);CAS No. 56-95-1 Chlorhexidine dihydrochloride (INCI); CAS No. 3697-42-5 | 0.3% (as chlorhexidine) | ||
| 32 | 44 | Alkyl (C_{12-22} ) trimethyl ammonium bromide and chloride Behentrimonium chloride (INCI)^{(1)}; CAS No. 17301-53-0 Cetrimonium bromide (INCI);CAS No. 57-09-0 Cetrimonium chloride (INCI)(2); CAS No. 112-02-7 Laurtrimonium bromide (INCI); CAS No. 1119-94-4 Laurtrimonium chloride (INCI); CAS No. 112-00-5 Steartrimonium bromide (INCI); CAS No. 1120-02-1 Steartrimonium chloride (INCI)^{(2)}; CAS No.112-03-8 | 0.1% | ||
| 33 | 54 | Benzalkonium chloride, bromide, and saccharinate (3) Benzalkonium chloride (INCI); CAS No. 8001-54-5/63449-41-2/68424-85-1/68391-01-5/61789-71-7/ 85409-22-9 Benzalkonium bromide (INCI); CAS No. 91080-29-4 Benzalkonium saccharinat (INCI);CAS No. 68989-01-5 | 0.1% (as benzalkonium chloride) | Avoid contact with eyes | |
| 34 | 53 | Benzethonium chloride (INCI); CAS No. 121-54-0 | 0.1% | (a) Rinse-off preparations (b) Leave-on preparations except for dental and oral care preparations | |
| 35 | 1 | Benzoic acid and its sodium salt Benzoic acid (INCI); CAS No. 65-85-0 Sodium benzoate (INCI); CAS No. 532-32-1 | – Rinse-off preparations except dental and oral care: 2.5% (as acid) – Dental and oral care preparations: 1.7% (as acid) – Leave-on preparations: 0.5% (as acid) | ||
| 36 | 1a | Benzoic acid in the form of salt other than those listed in material number 5 in this Appendix and ester of benzoic acid Ammonium benzoate; CAS No. 1863-63-4 Calcium benzoate; CAS No. 2090-05-3 Potassium benzoate; CAS No. 582-25-2 Magnesium benzoate;CAS No. 553-70-8 MEA-benzoate; CAS No. 4337-66-0 Methyl benzoate; CAS No. 93-58-3 Ethyl benzoate; CAS No. 93-89-0 Propyl benzoate; CAS No. 2315-68-6 Butyl benzoate; CAS No. 136-60-7 Isobutyl benzoate; CAS No. 120-50-3 Isopropyl benzoate; CAS No. 939-48-0 Phenyl benzoate;CAS No. 93-99-2 | 0.5% (as acid) | ||
| 37 | 34 | Benzyl alcohol (INCI) (4); CAS No. 100-51-6 | 1.0% | ||
| 38 | 40 | 2-Benzyl-4-chlorophenol Chlorophene (INCI); CAS No. 120-32-1 | 0.2% | ||
| 39 | 55 | Benzylhemiformal (INCI); CAS No. 14548-60-8 | 0.15% | Rinse-off preparations | |
| 40 | 7 | Biphenyl-2-ol o-Phenylphenol (INCI); CAS No. 90-43-7 | – Rinse-off preparations: 0.2% (as phenol) – Leave-on preparations: 0.15% (as phenol) | Avoid contact with eyes | |
| 41 | 33 | 1,3-Bis(hydrOxymethyl)-5,5-dimethylimidazolidine-2,4-dione DMDM hydantoin (INCI); CAS No. 6440-58-0 | 0.6% | ||
| 42 | 27 | 3,3′-Bis(1-hydroxymethyl-2,5-dioxoimidazolidin-4-yl)-1,1′-methylenediurea Imidazolidinyl urea (INCI); CAS No. 39236-46-9 | 0.6% | ||
| 43 | 20 | 5-Bromo-5-nitro-1,3 dioxane (INCI); CAS No. 30007-47-7 | Rinse-off preparations: 0.1% | – Not to be used in leave-on preparations – Avoid nitrosamine formation | |
| 44 | 21 | Bronopol (INN) 2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1,3-Diol D17(INCI); CAS No. 52-51-7 | 0.1% | Avoid nitrosamine formation | |
| 45 | 12a | Butyl 4-hydroxybenzoate and its salt Propyl 4-hydroxybenzoate and its salt Isopropyl 4-hydroxybenzoate and its salt Isobutyl 4-hydroxybenzoate and its salt Benzyl 4-hydroxybenZoate and its salt Butylparaben (INCI); CAS No. 94-26-8 Propylparaben (INCI); CAS No. 94-13-3 Isopropylparaben (INCI); CAS No. 4191-73-5 Isobutylparaben (INCI); CAS No. 4247-02-3 Benzylparaben (INCI); CAS No. 94-18-8 Sodium propylparaben (INCI); CAS No. 35285-69-9 Sodium butylparaben (INCI); CAS No. 36457-20-2 Potassium butylparaben (INCI); CAS No. 38566-94-8 Potassium propylparaben (INCI); CAS No. 84930-16-5 Sodium isopropylparaben (INCI); CAS No. 4191-73-5 Sodium isobutylparaben (INCI); CAS No. 84930-15-4 | – 0.14% (as acid) for total ester content, both single and mixed – 0.8% (as acid) for mixture of ingredient number 15 with ingredients mentioned in number 36 of this Appendix, where total content of ingredient number 15 must not exceed 0.14% (as acid) | Not to be used in leave-on cosmetics applied to areas covered by diapers (nappy area) for children under 3 years of age | For leave-on cosmetics intended for children under 3 years of age: “Do not use in areas covered by diapers” |
| 46 | 13 | 3-Acetyl-6-methylpyran-2,4 (3H)-dione dan garamnya Dehydroacetic acid (INCI); CAS No. 520-45-6 Sodium Dehydroacetate; CAS No. 4418-26-2 CAS No. 16807-48-0 | 0.6% (as acid) | Prohibited in aerosol preparations (spray) | |
| 47 | 41 | 2-Chloroacetamide Chloroacetamide (INCI); CAS No. 79-07-2 | 0.3% | Contains chloroacetamide | |
| 48 | 11 | Chlorobutanol (INN) Chlorobutanol (INCI);CAS No. 57-15-8 | 0.5% | Prohibited in aerosol preparations (spray) | Contains chlorobutanol |
| 49 | 24 | 4-Chloro-m-cresol p-Chloro-m-cresol (INCI); CAS No. 59-50-7 | 0.2% | Not to be used in cosmetics that contact mucous membranes | |
| 50 | 39 | Mixture of 5-chloro-2-methyl-isothiazol-3(2H)-one and 2-methylisothiazol-3(2H)-one^{(5)}; CAS No. 55965-84-9 Methylchloroizothiazolinone (INCI); CAS No. 26172-55-4 and Methylizothiazolinone (INCI); CAS No. 2682-20-4 | 0.0015% (mixture in 3:1 ratio of 5-chloro-2-methyl-isothiazol-3(2H)-one and 2-methylisothiazol-3(2H)-one) | Rinse-off preparations | |
| 51 | 32 | 1-(4-Chlorophenoxy)-1-(imidazole-1-yl) -3,3-dimethylbutan-2-one Climbazole (INCI); CAS No. 38083-17-9 | (a) 0.2% (b) 0.5% | (a) – Hair lotion – Face cream (b) – Shampoo (rinse-off) – Conditioner (rinse-off) | |
| 52 | 50 | 3-(p-Chlorophenoxy)-propane-1,2-diol Chlorphenesin (INCI); CAS No. 104-29-0 | 0.3% | ||
| 53 | 26 | 4-Chloro-3,5-xylenol Chloroxylenol (INCI);CAS No. 88-04-0 | 0.5% | ||
| 54 | 47 | 1,6-Di(4-amidinophenoxy)-n-hexane (hexamidine) and its salts (including isethionate and p-hydroxy-benzoate) Hexamidine (INCI); CAS No. 3811-75-4 Hexamidine diisethionate (INCI); CAS No. 659-40-5 Hexamidine paraben (INCI);CAS No. 93841-83-9 | 0.1% | ||
| 55 | 37 | 6,6-Dibromo-4,4-dichloro-2,2′-methylene-diphenol Bromochlorophen (INCI); CAS No. 15435-29-7 | 0.1% | ||
| 56 | 15 | 3,3′-Dibromo-4,4′-hexamethylene-dioxydibenzamidine (Dibromohexamidine) and its salts (includingIsethionate) Dibromohexamidine Isethionate (INCI); CAS No. 93856-83-8 | 0.1% | ||
| 57 | 22 | 2,4-Dichlorobenzyl alcohol Dichlorobenzyl Alcohol (INCI); CAS No. 1777-82-8 | 0.15% | ||
| 58 | 45 | 4,4-Dimethyl-1,3-oxazolidine Dimethyl Oxazolidine (INCI); CAS No.51200-87-4 ULZ 000158 0.1% | 0.1% | pH in cosmetics must not be less than 6 | |
| 59 | 49 | 5-Ethyl-3,7-dioxa-1-azabicyclo[3.3.0] octane 7-Ethylbicyclooxazolidine (INCI); CAS No. 7747-35-5 | 0.3% | Not to be used in dental and oral care preparations or in preparations that contact mucous membranes | |
| 60 | 58 | Ethyl-Ν-α-dodecanoyl-L-arginate hydrochloride(6) Ethyl Lauroyl Arginate HCl (INCI); CAS No. 60372-77-2 | Mouthwash: 0.15% | Not to be used in preparations for children under 10 years of age | Not to be used for children under 10 years of age |
The use of these ingredients must comply with BPOM’s technical standards to guarantee the safety and quality of the product.
INSIGHTOF is Ready to Assist with Cosmetic Product Registration
Ensuring your cosmetic products meet safety standards, including proper use of preservatives, is a crucial step before entering the Indonesian market. INSIGHTOF, with extensive experience in cosmetic product registration, is here to help your company navigate and comply with BPOM regulations.
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