We do talk about preservatives in the Botanical Skin Care Course, and we give instructions on how to use preservatives. However we do not go into preservatives for each recipe because different preservatives are available in different places and because each individual preservative has different parameters for use. Choosing between different preservatives for each individual recipe is really going to vary based on these parameters. Since this course is meant for the home herbalist and DIY-er, it doesn't focus so much on formulation and long-term stabilization of recipes, as these are typically made in smaller batches and used more quickly.

We would suggest following the directions for the preservative you choose to use, as the instructions for use will vary for each one. Plant-Derived Commercial Preservatives that we discuss in the Botanical Skin Care Course include Leucidal® Liquid SF, NataPres™, and PhytoCide Aspen Bark. These are potential options for you to consider for preserving your preparation.

If you have taken the Botanical Skin Care Course or would like to learn more about how to add more advanced emulsifiers and preservatives to your products so that they have a longer shelf life, then you might be interested in taking the Emulsifiers and Preservatives in Botanical Skin Care Intensive! This intensive is ideal for career herbalists looking to formulate and sell herbal products that stand the test of time or hobbyists seeking longer-lasting homemade products for their own personal skin care collection.