Most brands won’t admit this - preservatives are often a shortcut. They allow companies to pump out water-heavy creams that last for years on warehouse shelves and in bathroom cupboards. But the trade-off? A cocktail of synthetic chemicals your skin doesn’t want or need.
At Skin Botanist, we refuse to play that game. Here’s exactly why.
What preservatives really do (and why we don’t)
Preservatives are designed to kill bacteria and mould in water-based skincare. But they don’t pick and choose. Many also mess with the delicate balance of your skin’s microbiome. Imagine wiping out your skin’s good bacteria every time you moisturise.
Even worse, some common preservatives like parabens are well known hormone disruptors. They’re cheap, effective shelf stabilisers and perfectly legal, but more studies are pointing to how they mimic oestrogen in the body. Over time, that repeated exposure adds up.
Why we don’t need them in the first place
This is the part few brands talk about. If a product doesn’t contain water, it doesn’t need synthetic preservatives. Bacteria can’t grow in pure oils.
Microorganisms like bacteria, mould and fungi need free, unbound water to survive, grow and reproduce. Pure oils don’t contain this free water (they’re anhydrous) so they create an environment where microbes can’t multiply or spoil the product. This is why, in oil-only formulas, we don’t need synthetic preservatives to keep things safe.
So instead of formulating with cheap water and chemical stabilisers, we focus on 100% active, nourishing plant oils. We craft in small batches and add natural antioxidants like vitamin E to keep everything fresh without adding extra baggage for your skin (or your hormones) to process.
Why it matters for your skin and your body
Many people who switch to our oil-based range notice fewer breakouts and less redness within weeks. That’s not magic, it’s what happens when your skin isn’t fighting off unnecessary chemicals every day.
You don’t need preservatives if you don’t have water. You don’t need water if you have pure, skin-compatible oils. That’s our promise. No shortcuts, no hormone disruptors, no excuses.
What you can do right now
Check your labels. If water is the first ingredient, there’s probably a preservative not far behind. If you see parabens, phenoxyethanol or anything labelled “fragrance” without explanation, question it.
Your skin is smart. Give it products that respect that.