INCI: Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol (and) Propylene Glycol

Common Name: Saliguard® PCG

An effective and simple to use, fully water-soluble, broad-spectrum preservative.

Benefits

Product Benefits

Broad-spectrum protection against bacteria, yeast, and moulds
Fully water-soluble; ideal for toners and emulsions
Suitable for eczema-prone and psoriasis-prone skin
Great for soothing the skin in water-based products
Reduces redness
Calms and balances the skin
Moisturises and nourishes dry skin

Improves skin texture
Doesn’t affect the colour, odour or pH of formulations
Vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free and palm-free
Heat-tolerant up to 60°C
pH 3-10
Emollient base enhances preservative effectiveness
Phenoxyethanol, as the primary active ingredient, provides robust protection against bacteria and yeast

Product Description

Saliguard® PCG is a clear, colourless mobile liquid with pale straw liquid properties and almost no odour. This preservative blend provides broad-spectrum protection against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, mould and yeast, so it’s essential for the safety and shelf life of your formulations.

This easy-to-use preservative contains Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol and Propylene Glycol. The water-soluble blend is ideal for use in creams, lotions, facial toners, body washes, shampoos and water-free scrubs. It maintains product integrity without affecting scent, appearance or pH.

Paraben-free, formaldehyde-free and palm oil free, Saliguard® PCG is made from non-GMO materials and is fully compatible with ionic, cationic and non-ionic emulsifiers and surfactants.

Whether you’re formulating fragrance-free skincare or working with challenging ingredients like botanical infusions, Saliguard® PCG is a flexible and reliable preservation.

Preservative Features

Preservative features include broad-spectrum activity to protect against a wide range of microorganisms. A formaldehyde-free preservative like Saliguard® PCG is perfect for products intended for sensitive skin or hair. Fragrance-free preservatives are ideal for products where scent is a concern. The primary active ingredients in many preservatives, like phenoxyethanol, caprylyl glycol and propylene glycol, contribute to their antimicrobial properties. Paraben-free and formaldehyde-free preservatives like Saliguard® PCG offer a solution for formulators looking for safe and effective products.

How to use it

How to Use

Skin Care

Effective in oil in water (O/W) and water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions, so can be used in creams and lotions for all skin types.
Suitable for use in anhydrous (non-water containing) formulations such as oily body scrubs. Because of the nature of the scrub, water is likely to enter the product container as it is used, and so it will need a preservative.
Shower gels, bath foams and other surfactant/detergent-based products can be preserved using Saliguard® PCG.

As it is fully water soluble, it is suitable for use in toners and other products such as unpreserved hydrolats.
If used in baby products avoid applying the product to the hands as a baby is likely to suck its fingers and may ingest the product. This is a precautionary measure that should apply to all baby products.

Hair Care

No direct hair care usage, but it is an effective preservative in hair conditioners, hair packs and shampoos.
It will have a soothing effect on the scalp due to the skin conditioning Caprylyl Glycol.

General Usage tips

It is heat tolerant up to 60 °C, but we recommend adding it to the Stage 3 (below 40 °C) ingredients. It works in a wide pH range of pH 3 to pH 10.

It is compatible with ionic, cationic and non-ionic surfactants and emulsifiers. It can be used in emulsions, water based products and anhydrous products like rinse off, water free body scrubs.

Preservatives can often bring issues to your formulations, but this one is really simple and adds benefits as well as it is :

fully water-soluble
has a skin conditioning effect as Caprylyl Glycol is a great humectant
works well with creams and toners as well as shampoos and body washes
does not change the odour of products
does not change the colour of products
does not cause pH drift
is extremely easy to use

Saliguard® PCG is not a formaldehyde donor and is classified as a synthetic preservative

Caprylyl Glycol 19% to 21%

Phenoxyethanol 39% to 41%

Propylene Glycol 39% to 41%

Usage rate 0.5% -2%

Cosmetic Functions:

The individual materials that make up Saliguard® PCG are listed on the Cosmetic Ingredient Database (Cosing)

Other:

Suitable for use in any product containing cationic, ionic or non-ionic ingredients.

Use at 0.5% - 2%. Use 1.5%-2% when preserving a cream or lotion. Use the higher amount when working with challenging ingredients such as herbal infusions and decoctions.

When used at 1% the Phenoxyethanol content is low at only 0.39-0.41% of the total amount of preservative used. Even if used at 2% the Phenoxyethanol level is lower than the allowable limit so active ingredients or other ingredients that are preserved with Phenoxyethanol can still be included, as long as they don’t take the Phenoxyethanol over the legal limit, but do check this with your cosmetic safety assessor.

The effective working pH range for a product incorporating Saliguard® PCG is pH3 to pH10.

As it is fully water soluble it can be used in water based products such as toners. It does not need to be combined with Glycerin before use.

Always check with your cosmetic safety assessor to ensure the percentage is correct for your particular product.

Add to Stage 3 (below 40°C) when making creams and lotion.

Although some older publications still suggest using drops as a measure, this is not accurate as dropper sizes vary. Always weigh the amount of preservative used to get the correct percentage needed.

Suggested Blends:

Do not blend different preservatives with each other unless you are experienced in this area and can have the result tested for efficacy. If you are adding extra materials to a base product, you may need to add some extra preservative as well. Ensure the same preservative as the base product is used.

INCI / Ingredients

INCI Name: Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol (and) Propylene Glycol

Origin: Manufactured using high-quality, non-GMO ingredients to ensure purity and consistency

Appearance: Clear, colourless liquid with little to no odour

Solubility: Fully water-soluble

Stability and Compatibility

Stability and compatibility of preservatives are key factors to consider when selecting preservatives for various formulations. Preservatives must be compatible with a wide range of ingredients, including emulsifiers, surfactants and other preservatives. A preservative like Saliguard® PCG, which is compatible with ionic, cationic and nonionic surfactants, offers flexibility in formulation design. Preservatives should also be stable across a wide pH range, typically between 3-10, to ensure efficacy in various product types, including leave-on and rinse-off applications. A preservative should be able to function in both aqueous and anhydrous systems.

Storage & Shelf life

Storage & Shelf Life

Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Keep the container tightly closed.

The expiration date is listed on the product packaging.

Regulatory Compliance

Regulatory compliance is important when selecting preservatives, as preservatives must comply with strict guidelines and regulations. A globally approved preservative like Saliguard® PCG has undergone rigorous testing to ensure its safety and efficacy. Preservatives must also comply with regulations for use in specific product types such as cosmetics and personal care products. Formulators must ensure the preservatives they select meet all relevant regulatory requirements, including concentration limits and labelling.

Why buy from Aromantic

Why Buy from Aromantic?

At Aromantic, we supply safe, high-performance ingredients for natural skincare. We ship worldwide and stock only tested cosmetic-grade materials. We don’t make expert claims – just reliable, quality products for formulators of all experience levels.

FAQ's

FAQs

Is Saliguard® PCG suitable for fragrance-free skincare? Yes, it’s ideal for fragrance-free or lightly fragranced products.

Can I use it in water-free formulations? Yes, it can be used in anhydrous products such as body scrubs.

Is it safe for sensitive skin? It’s suitable for products formulated for sensitive, eczema-prone or psoriasis-prone skin, but all final formulations should be patch tested.

Does it affect the colour or smell of the product? No, it doesn’t alter the product’s appearance or odour.

Do I need to blend it with glycerin first? No, Saliguard® PCG is fully water-soluble and doesn’t need pre-blending.

What if I’m adding extra ingredients to a base? You may need to increase the preservative amount. Always use the same preservative as the base product and confirm with your safety assessor.

Is Saliguard® PCG good for homemade formulations? Yes, many users find it helpful in preserving homemade lotions and scrubs so they remain stable and effective.

Preservative Efficacy Testing

Preservative efficacy testing is a crucial step in the development of personal care and cosmetic products. This testing involves evaluating the ability of a preservative to prevent the growth of microorganisms in a product. A preservative like Saliguard® PCG, which has broad-spectrum activity, is typically tested against a range of microorganisms, including bacteria, yeast and moulds. The dosage of the preservative (0.5% to 1.0%) is also important in efficacy testing. By doing thorough preservative efficacy testing, formulators can ensure their products are safe, stable and effective and provide consumers with high-quality products that meet their needs.

Recipes & Blends

Click on the links below to be directed to a great recipe featuring Saliguard® PCG.

Summer Spritzer

Technical Documents

Here is a link to all non-batch-specific documents for this product: Link to Technical Documents

If you have any questions about the documents or need the Certificate of Analysis (COA) for a product that you have received, please request it here.

Pairs well with

Related Products / Pair With

Hydrating Base Lotion — Customise with Saliguard® PCG

Organic Lavender Hydrolat — For toners

Natural Surfactant Base — For natural cleansers, shower gels and shampoos

AHA Natural Fruit Extract — Pair with herbal infusions for customised skincare

Cosmetic Preservatives

Preservative K

Saliguard® PCG