Geogard 221
Geogard 221
Geogard 221 (Broad-Spectrum Liquid Preservative for Water-Based Cosmetics)
Our Geogard 221 (also sold under the name Microcare DB) is a liquid preservative blend of benzyl alcohol and dehydroacetic acid (INCI: Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol and Water). It helps protect water-based cosmetics against bacteria, yeast and mould, and it is paraben-free and not a formaldehyde releaser.
It works in both rinse-off and leave-on products, including creams, lotions, shampoos, conditioners, body washes, liquid soaps, gels and toners. It is liquid, easy to measure and mixes into the water phase or the cool-down stage, and it works best in products with a final pH between 2 and 7.
|
Broad-spectrum Bacteria, yeast and mould |
Use at 0.2-1.0% Higher for watery products |
Works at pH 2-7 Best at lower pH |
50 ml to 4 L Six pack sizes |
Safety information: for external (cosmetic) use only. Keep out of reach of children and keep away from the eyes. Wear gloves and eye protection when handling the concentrate. Do not swallow. See Safety below and the Safety Data Sheet in the Product Documents section at the end of this page.
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product | Geogard 221 (Microcare DB) |
| INCI (typical) | Dehydroacetic Acid (and) Benzyl Alcohol (and) Water |
| Type | Liquid preservative blend, broad-spectrum |
| Typical make-up | Mostly benzyl alcohol with about 8% dehydroacetic acid (typical) |
| Appearance | Clear, colourless to pale yellow liquid |
| Odour | Faint, slightly almond-like |
| Solubility | Soluble in water at use rates |
| Typical use rate | About 0.2-1.0% of the formula. Use the higher end for products with lots of water or herbal extracts. Always test |
| Effective pH | About 2-7. Works best at a lower final pH, and less effective above pH 7 |
| How to add | Below about 45 °C, in the water phase or at cool-down |
| Compatibility | Suits non-ionic, cationic and anionic systems. Some anionic ingredients, such as carbomers and certain surfactants, can cause yellowing |
| Suitable for | Creams, lotions, serums, gels, toners, shampoos, conditioners, body washes, liquid soaps, wipe solutions |
| Not suitable for | Oil-only or anhydrous products (no water to preserve), or use at pH above 7 |
| Certification note | Permitted in COSMOS and ECOCERT certified formulations. Check your certifier's current rules |
| Pack Sizes | 50 ml, 100 ml, 200 ml, 500 ml, 1 L, 4 L |
| Storage | Tightly closed, in a cool, well-ventilated place away from heat and direct sunlight |
| Use | Raw material for makers. Formulation, preservation testing, safety assessment and labelling of finished products are the maker's responsibility. Not for internal use |
Uses
| Use | How it is used |
|---|---|
| Creams and lotions | Add at cool-down, below about 45 °C, once the emulsion has been made |
| Shampoos, conditioners and washes | Add to the water phase or after the surfactants. Check the final pH |
| Gels, serums and toners | Mix into the water-based phase. Use the higher rate for herbal extracts and hydrosols |
| Liquid soaps and body washes | Add to the finished base and mix gently to avoid foaming |
| Aloe, hydrosol and extract blends | Water-rich ingredients need a preservative. Use a higher rate within the range |
| Wipe solutions | Add to the water-based solution used to wet wipes. Test your own recipe |
How to Preserve a Lotion or Cream
- Make your product. Make your cream, lotion or gel and let it cool to below about 45 °C. Do not add the preservative while it is hot.
- Weigh. Weigh the Geogard 221 at your chosen rate. A common starting point is about 0.5-1.0% (0.5-1.0 g per 100 g of product), using more for products with lots of water or herbal extracts.
- Add and mix. Add it with your other cool-down ingredients such as fragrance and extracts and stir gently until it is fully mixed in.
- Check the pH. Test the final pH with a pH meter or good test strips. Aim for about pH 2-7, ideally lower, and adjust slowly with a little citric acid if it is too high.
- Pack. Pour into clean, dry containers and label them.
- Test. If you plan to sell the product, have it tested for preservation (a challenge test), especially when the recipe is new or has changed.
Tip: Preservatives work only inside their pH range. Check the final pH of every batch, not just the first one.
Using It in Your Formulas ▼
These are common maker starting points, not fixed rules. Results vary with your recipe, so always test a small batch first.
| Use | Starting amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Creams and lotions | About 0.5-1.0% | Add at cool-down below about 45 °C and check the pH. |
| Shampoos and body washes | About 0.5-1.0% | Add to the water phase or the finished base. Check the pH. |
| Conditioners | About 0.5-1.0% | Add at cool-down. Test with your cationic ingredients. |
| Gels, serums and toners | About 0.5-1.0% | Use the higher end for hydrosols, aloe or herbal extracts. |
| Very watery products | Toward the top of the range, up to 1.0% | More water and more extracts means more risk. Have the product tested. |
These are starting points for makers, not fixed rules. Follow your own preservation testing and any guidance for your certification.
Tips & Troubleshooting ▼
| Problem | Likely cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| Product turns yellow | Some anionic ingredients, such as carbomers or certain surfactants, can react | Test small batches, and use a different preservative or a suitable antioxidant if yellowing is a problem. |
| Product grows mould or smells off | Rate too low, pH too high, or contamination | Check the pH, use the rate your testing supports, use clean tools and containers, and discard spoiled batches. |
| Preservative seems less effective | Final pH above 7 | Lower the final pH with a little citric acid or lactic acid so it sits in the 2-7 range. |
| Preservative will not mix in | Added too cold or into an oil phase | Add it to the water phase or to the cooled emulsion and stir until clear. |
| Slight almond smell | Odour of the preservative | This is normal. Use a little extra fragrance if it is noticeable. |
| Cloudy or separated product | Preservative added too hot, or emulsion not stable | Add below about 45 °C and check that your emulsifier system is balanced. |
Safety & Selling Your Products ▼
This product is a cosmetic raw material for external use only. Do not swallow it, keep it out of reach of children and keep it away from the eyes. Wear gloves and eye protection when handling the concentrated product, patch test finished products before first use and stop using a product if irritation occurs.
Geogard 221 contains benzyl alcohol, which can irritate the eyes and skin and may cause allergic reactions in some people. Wear gloves and eye protection when handling the concentrate, avoid breathing the vapour and keep it away from heat and flames. Benzyl alcohol is a recognised fragrance allergen, so check the ingredient listing and labelling rules that apply to your finished products.
Selling what you make? This is a raw material for makers. The formulation, preservation, safety assessment, labelling and any regulatory requirements for your finished cosmetics or soap (including the NZ cosmetic rules) are your responsibility, and health or treatment claims should not be made for your products. Preservatives do not replace good manufacturing practice. Use clean tools and containers, and have products intended for sale tested for preservation. Contact us at info@purefx.co.nz if you need product information.
Frequently Asked Questions ▼
What is Geogard 221?
It is a liquid preservative blend of benzyl alcohol and dehydroacetic acid. It protects water-based products against bacteria, yeast and mould. It is also sold as Microcare DB.
How much do I use?
About 0.2-1.0% of the formula. Use the higher end for products with lots of water or herbal extracts. Always test.
What pH does it work at?
About 2-7, and it works best at a lower final pH. It is less effective above pH 7, so check the pH of every batch.
When do I add it?
Below about 45 °C. In emulsions, add it at cool-down. In gels and washes, add it to the water phase.
Can I use it in rinse-off and leave-on products?
Yes. It is used in both shampoos, conditioners and washes as well as creams, lotions and serums.
Is it paraben-free?
Yes. It does not contain parabens and is not a formaldehyde releaser.
Is it suitable for certified organic or natural products?
It is permitted in COSMOS and ECOCERT certified formulations. Check the current rules of your own certifier.
Do I still need preservation testing?
If you sell your products, a challenge test is recommended, especially for new or changed formulas.
Can I use it in oil-only products?
Oil-only products do not need it. A preservative is needed once water, hydrosols, aloe or extracts are added.
Is it for internal use?
No. We sell it as a cosmetic raw material for external use only.
Sizes & Price
| Pack | Price | Price per 100 ml |
|---|---|---|
| 50 ml | $8.00 | $16.00 |
| 100 ml | $10.00 | $10.00 |
| 200 ml | $18.00 | $9.00 |
| 500 ml | $35.00 | $7.00 |
| 1 L | $65.00 | $6.50 |
| 4 L | $185.00 | $4.62 |
Pairs Well With
Pair with aloe vera gel, hydrosols or vegetable glycerine, and thicken with xanthan gum. Use in creams made with Emulsifying Wax (Neowax B200) or BTMS-50, and in conditioners with BTMS-50. Adjust the pH with citric acid. Browse our preservatives, and compare phenoxyethanol. See emulsifiers and thickeners. |
 Product Documents
|
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Geogard 221 (Broad-Spectrum Liquid Preservative for Water-Based Cosmetics)
Our Geogard 221 (also sold under the name Microcare DB) is a liquid preservative blend of benzyl alcohol and dehydroacetic acid (INCI: Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol and Water). It helps protect water-based cosmetics against bacteria, yeast and mould, and it is paraben-free and not a formaldehyde releaser.
It works in both rinse-off and leave-on products, including creams, lotions, shampoos, conditioners, body washes, liquid soaps, gels and toners. It is liquid, easy to measure and mixes into the water phase or the cool-down stage, and it works best in products with a final pH between 2 and 7.
|
Broad-spectrum Bacteria, yeast and mould |
Use at 0.2-1.0% Higher for watery products |
Works at pH 2-7 Best at lower pH |
50 ml to 4 L Six pack sizes |
Safety information: for external (cosmetic) use only. Keep out of reach of children and keep away from the eyes. Wear gloves and eye protection when handling the concentrate. Do not swallow. See Safety below and the Safety Data Sheet in the Product Documents section at the end of this page.
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product | Geogard 221 (Microcare DB) |
| INCI (typical) | Dehydroacetic Acid (and) Benzyl Alcohol (and) Water |
| Type | Liquid preservative blend, broad-spectrum |
| Typical make-up | Mostly benzyl alcohol with about 8% dehydroacetic acid (typical) |
| Appearance | Clear, colourless to pale yellow liquid |
| Odour | Faint, slightly almond-like |
| Solubility | Soluble in water at use rates |
| Typical use rate | About 0.2-1.0% of the formula. Use the higher end for products with lots of water or herbal extracts. Always test |
| Effective pH | About 2-7. Works best at a lower final pH, and less effective above pH 7 |
| How to add | Below about 45 °C, in the water phase or at cool-down |
| Compatibility | Suits non-ionic, cationic and anionic systems. Some anionic ingredients, such as carbomers and certain surfactants, can cause yellowing |
| Suitable for | Creams, lotions, serums, gels, toners, shampoos, conditioners, body washes, liquid soaps, wipe solutions |
| Not suitable for | Oil-only or anhydrous products (no water to preserve), or use at pH above 7 |
| Certification note | Permitted in COSMOS and ECOCERT certified formulations. Check your certifier's current rules |
| Pack Sizes | 50 ml, 100 ml, 200 ml, 500 ml, 1 L, 4 L |
| Storage | Tightly closed, in a cool, well-ventilated place away from heat and direct sunlight |
| Use | Raw material for makers. Formulation, preservation testing, safety assessment and labelling of finished products are the maker's responsibility. Not for internal use |
Uses
| Use | How it is used |
|---|---|
| Creams and lotions | Add at cool-down, below about 45 °C, once the emulsion has been made |
| Shampoos, conditioners and washes | Add to the water phase or after the surfactants. Check the final pH |
| Gels, serums and toners | Mix into the water-based phase. Use the higher rate for herbal extracts and hydrosols |
| Liquid soaps and body washes | Add to the finished base and mix gently to avoid foaming |
| Aloe, hydrosol and extract blends | Water-rich ingredients need a preservative. Use a higher rate within the range |
| Wipe solutions | Add to the water-based solution used to wet wipes. Test your own recipe |
How to Preserve a Lotion or Cream
- Make your product. Make your cream, lotion or gel and let it cool to below about 45 °C. Do not add the preservative while it is hot.
- Weigh. Weigh the Geogard 221 at your chosen rate. A common starting point is about 0.5-1.0% (0.5-1.0 g per 100 g of product), using more for products with lots of water or herbal extracts.
- Add and mix. Add it with your other cool-down ingredients such as fragrance and extracts and stir gently until it is fully mixed in.
- Check the pH. Test the final pH with a pH meter or good test strips. Aim for about pH 2-7, ideally lower, and adjust slowly with a little citric acid if it is too high.
- Pack. Pour into clean, dry containers and label them.
- Test. If you plan to sell the product, have it tested for preservation (a challenge test), especially when the recipe is new or has changed.
Tip: Preservatives work only inside their pH range. Check the final pH of every batch, not just the first one.
Using It in Your Formulas ▼
These are common maker starting points, not fixed rules. Results vary with your recipe, so always test a small batch first.
| Use | Starting amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Creams and lotions | About 0.5-1.0% | Add at cool-down below about 45 °C and check the pH. |
| Shampoos and body washes | About 0.5-1.0% | Add to the water phase or the finished base. Check the pH. |
| Conditioners | About 0.5-1.0% | Add at cool-down. Test with your cationic ingredients. |
| Gels, serums and toners | About 0.5-1.0% | Use the higher end for hydrosols, aloe or herbal extracts. |
| Very watery products | Toward the top of the range, up to 1.0% | More water and more extracts means more risk. Have the product tested. |
These are starting points for makers, not fixed rules. Follow your own preservation testing and any guidance for your certification.
Tips & Troubleshooting ▼
| Problem | Likely cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| Product turns yellow | Some anionic ingredients, such as carbomers or certain surfactants, can react | Test small batches, and use a different preservative or a suitable antioxidant if yellowing is a problem. |
| Product grows mould or smells off | Rate too low, pH too high, or contamination | Check the pH, use the rate your testing supports, use clean tools and containers, and discard spoiled batches. |
| Preservative seems less effective | Final pH above 7 | Lower the final pH with a little citric acid or lactic acid so it sits in the 2-7 range. |
| Preservative will not mix in | Added too cold or into an oil phase | Add it to the water phase or to the cooled emulsion and stir until clear. |
| Slight almond smell | Odour of the preservative | This is normal. Use a little extra fragrance if it is noticeable. |
| Cloudy or separated product | Preservative added too hot, or emulsion not stable | Add below about 45 °C and check that your emulsifier system is balanced. |
Safety & Selling Your Products ▼
This product is a cosmetic raw material for external use only. Do not swallow it, keep it out of reach of children and keep it away from the eyes. Wear gloves and eye protection when handling the concentrated product, patch test finished products before first use and stop using a product if irritation occurs.
Geogard 221 contains benzyl alcohol, which can irritate the eyes and skin and may cause allergic reactions in some people. Wear gloves and eye protection when handling the concentrate, avoid breathing the vapour and keep it away from heat and flames. Benzyl alcohol is a recognised fragrance allergen, so check the ingredient listing and labelling rules that apply to your finished products.
Selling what you make? This is a raw material for makers. The formulation, preservation, safety assessment, labelling and any regulatory requirements for your finished cosmetics or soap (including the NZ cosmetic rules) are your responsibility, and health or treatment claims should not be made for your products. Preservatives do not replace good manufacturing practice. Use clean tools and containers, and have products intended for sale tested for preservation. Contact us at info@purefx.co.nz if you need product information.
Frequently Asked Questions ▼
What is Geogard 221?
It is a liquid preservative blend of benzyl alcohol and dehydroacetic acid. It protects water-based products against bacteria, yeast and mould. It is also sold as Microcare DB.
How much do I use?
About 0.2-1.0% of the formula. Use the higher end for products with lots of water or herbal extracts. Always test.
What pH does it work at?
About 2-7, and it works best at a lower final pH. It is less effective above pH 7, so check the pH of every batch.
When do I add it?
Below about 45 °C. In emulsions, add it at cool-down. In gels and washes, add it to the water phase.
Can I use it in rinse-off and leave-on products?
Yes. It is used in both shampoos, conditioners and washes as well as creams, lotions and serums.
Is it paraben-free?
Yes. It does not contain parabens and is not a formaldehyde releaser.
Is it suitable for certified organic or natural products?
It is permitted in COSMOS and ECOCERT certified formulations. Check the current rules of your own certifier.
Do I still need preservation testing?
If you sell your products, a challenge test is recommended, especially for new or changed formulas.
Can I use it in oil-only products?
Oil-only products do not need it. A preservative is needed once water, hydrosols, aloe or extracts are added.
Is it for internal use?
No. We sell it as a cosmetic raw material for external use only.
Sizes & Price
| Pack | Price | Price per 100 ml |
|---|---|---|
| 50 ml | $8.00 | $16.00 |
| 100 ml | $10.00 | $10.00 |
| 200 ml | $18.00 | $9.00 |
| 500 ml | $35.00 | $7.00 |
| 1 L | $65.00 | $6.50 |
| 4 L | $185.00 | $4.62 |
Pairs Well With
Pair with aloe vera gel, hydrosols or vegetable glycerine, and thicken with xanthan gum. Use in creams made with Emulsifying Wax (Neowax B200) or BTMS-50, and in conditioners with BTMS-50. Adjust the pH with citric acid. Browse our preservatives, and compare phenoxyethanol. See emulsifiers and thickeners. |
|
Product Documents
|
