Barbara Olioso, aka The Green Chemist, is inviting beauty industry professionals to respond to a quick online survey on the use of preservatives in personal care products.
The Green Chemist Preservative Survey is designed to capture how the preservative challenge is experienced and perceived across the supply chain — from formulators and R&D scientists to consultants, suppliers, and brand owners.
The questions cover how industry professionals interpret ‘preservative-free’ claims, where they turn when selecting a preservation system, what is driving the shift away from Annex V actives, and how they think consumers understand - or misunderstand - what is on the label.
“Cosmetic preservatives sit at one of the most uncomfortable intersections in the beauty industry: the gap between what consumers believe, what regulations require, and what formulators know,” said Olioso.
“’Preservative-free’ or ‘free from’ is everywhere on development briefs. But what does it actually mean to the people who make these products — and to the people who buy them? Are formulators chasing a marketing trend, responding to genuine regulatory pressure, or navigating something far more nuanced?,” she added.
Early responses are already revealing some interesting tensions, says The Green Chemist, but the picture is incomplete.
“I feel this poll is important for understanding what is really happening in our sector. We tend to hear a great deal about consumer trends and regulations, but the people in the middle of the supply chain rarely have a voice — this is an opportunity to engage with them and understand their perspective on preservation today.
“It takes less than two minutes. And the results will be shared openly with the community.”
