We know. You see the word "preservatives" and panic. We used to all well. However, there's no reason to panic about the preservatives we're about to explain! If you want a TL;DR, we're excited to share with you our new 100% plant-based preservation system.
History of the Clean Beauty Movement and Preservatives
When the clean beauty movement began gaining momentum, one of the first ingredients to come under scrutiny was parabens. These synthetic preservatives were widely used to prevent mold, yeast, and bacteria from growing in skincare products—but concerns about their potential hormone-disrupting effects led many clean beauty brands (including us) to remove them altogether.
At first, it felt like a step in the right direction. But then something unexpected happened.
Without effective preservation systems in place, many “natural” products began molding on shelves, sometimes even before reaching customers. It quickly became clear that a truly safe skincare product isn’t just about what you remove, but also about what you replace it with.
As a result, we’ve chosen to use a 100% plant-based preservation system, combining botanical extracts and naturally derived compounds that keep our products fresh, safe, and shelf-stable, especially for our water-based formulas. These natural preservatives are being added to our existing water-based products to extend their shelf life and allow us to produce them in larger batches, which is a necessary step as we grow and aim to get products to you more efficiently, without sacrificing our clean standards.
One of the cornerstones of our preservation strategy is Lactobacillus Ferment, a probiotic ingredient that not only helps protect against microbes but also offers benefits to your skin.
100% Natural Skincare Preservatives We Trust
Let’s break down the natural preservatives we use and why they’re essential for clean, effective skincare:
Lactobacillus Ferment
Derived from lactic acid bacteria, this probiotic ferment produces antimicrobial peptides that naturally inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria and mold—keeping the product fresh.
- Preservative Function: Natural antimicrobial protection
- Skin Benefits: Supports the skin’s microbiome, soothes irritation, and helps maintain a strong, balanced skin barrier.
Sodium Levulinate + Sodium Anisate
This powerful duo offers broad-spectrum antimicrobial defense, particularly in water-based formulas.
- Preservative Function: Inhibits growth of bacteria, yeast, and mold
- Skin Benefits: Gently rebalances the skin’s natural pH, making it ideal for sensitive skin; helps maintain skin clarity and comfort.
Glyceryl Caprylate
A multifunctional ingredient that helps emulsify oils and adds mild antimicrobial properties.
- Preservative Function: Disrupts microbial cell membranes, preventing growth
- Skin Benefits: Conditions and softens the skin, reinforces the lipid barrier, and helps skin retain moisture.
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
A naturally derived amino acid that works as a powerful mold and yeast inhibitor.
- Preservative Function: Chelates metal ions to prevent oxidation and contamination
- Skin Benefits: Non-irritating and gentle on skin; supports longer product efficacy without compromising sensitive skin.
Glyceryl Undecylenate
A skin-friendly, coconut-like oil derivative that’s known for its anti-fungal strength.
- Preservative Function: Broad-spectrum antimicrobial—especially effective against fungi
- Skin Benefits: Helps calm inflammation, keeps skin smooth, and adds lightweight moisture without clogging pores.
At withSimplicity, our goal has always been to create skincare that’s as safe, effective, and natural as possible—not just in how it performs on your skin, but in how it’s made, preserved, and delivered to you.
By using a plant-based preservation system, we’re able to ensure our water-based products stay fresh and stable without relying on synthetic preservatives like parabens. This not only extends the shelf life of your favorite products but also allows us to create larger batches more efficiently as our clean beauty community continues to grow.
Even better? These natural preservatives don’t just protect the formula; they actively benefit your skin, offering hydration, barrier support, and microbiome balance with every application.
Preservation should never be an afterthought. For us, it’s part of the thoughtful, ingredient-first philosophy behind everything we make. Because clean beauty should be both pure and practical.
