Why do skincare products need preservatives?
Products spoil when they become contaminated during manufacturing, packaging, or customer use, and the product is unable to slow or stop the spread of microorganisms. Preservatives were added to products in the late 1950s when it was discovered that skin care products spoiled and the resulting bacteria (such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa) were dangerous. In some cases, use of spoiled products resulted in conditions as severe as blindness.
The law now requires all skin care products to be adequately preserved.
