Geogard ECT is a globally recognized broad-spectrum liquid preservative commonly used in natural and handmade cosmetic formulations. It is specifically designed to protect water-based products such as creams, lotions, shampoos, and conditioners from bacteria, yeast, and mold growth. The formula is free from parabens, formaldehyde donors, and isothiazolinones, making it a popular choice for clean and natural beauty products.Geogard® ECT is a broad-spectrum cosmetic preservative widely used in:
- natural skincare,
- lotions,
- creams,
- shampoos,
- body mists,
- and water-based cosmetic products.
It is popular because it is accepted by many “natural” and “eco-certified” cosmetic standards.
Composition of Geogard® ECT
The preservative contains:
Ingredient Function
Benzyl Alcohol Main antibacterial preservative
Salicylic Acid Preservation booster
Glycerin Carrier/humectant
Sorbic Acid Anti-yeast & anti-mold
INCI name:
Benzyl Alcohol (and) Salicylic Acid (and) Glycerin (and) Sorbic Acid
This is exactly the combination you were asking about earlier.
How it works
The system is synergistic:
Benzyl Alcohol → kills bacteria
Sorbic Acid → controls mold and yeast
Salicylic Acid → boosts antimicrobial action
Glycerin → helps dissolve and carry ingredients
Together they create a broad-spectrum preservative system.
Typical usage rate
Manufacturers usually recommend:
0.6%−1.0%
in the final cosmetic product.
Critical pH requirement
Geogard® ECT works best at:
pH<5.5
Ideal:
4≤pH≤5.2
At higher pH:
Sorbic acid becomes much less effective.
Common applications
Used in:
Face creams
Lotion
Shampoo
Conditioner
Toners
Hair products
Water-based cosmetics
Natural skincare
Not ideal for:
High-pH soap
Strongly alkaline products
Advantages
Pros
Broad-spectrum preservation
Accepted in many natural formulations
Paraben-free
Formaldehyde-free
Easy to use
Globally popular
Cons
Requires acidic pH
Slight almond-like odor from Benzyl Alcohol
Can destabilize some emulsions
Not ideal for very high-water contamination systems
Simple example
For a 100 kg lotion batch:
At: 1%
use:
100 kg×1%=1 kg Geogard ECT
Then adjust pH to about 5.
Why it became popular
It became very popular in:
organic cosmetics,
indie skincare brands,
handmade cosmetics,
“clean beauty”
because it avoids:
parabens,
formaldehyde donors,
isothiazolinones.
