Optiphen Plus
When formulating clean, plant-based skincare, we’re often asked: “How do you keep your products fresh without synthetic preservatives?” The answer? Carefully chosen, skin-safe ingredients like Optiphen Plus — a modern, broad-spectrum preservative that helps keep our water-based formulas safe, stable, and effective.
At Made in Hemp, we believe in balancing natural performance with microbial safety — because no one wants bacteria in their balm or mould in their moisturiser. And Optiphen Plus helps us achieve that, naturally.
What Is Optiphen Plus?
Optiphen Plus is a paraben-free, formaldehyde-free preservative system designed for natural and organic cosmetic formulations. It’s a blend of:
Phenoxyethanol – a gentle, effective preservative widely accepted in clean beauty
Caprylyl Glycol – a skin-conditioning agent with antimicrobial properties
Sorbic Acid – a mild, food-grade antifungal
Together, these ingredients provide broad-spectrum protection against:
Bacteria
Yeast
Mould
Fungal growth
It’s approved for use in both leave-on and rinse-off products and works particularly well in emulsions, creams, and lotions — like our hand cream and body moisturisers.
Why Preservatives Matter in Skincare
Any product that contains water (including aloe, hydrosols, and water-based extracts) is vulnerable to contamination. Without a preservative system, bacteria can grow — sometimes within days — leading to spoilage, irritation, or infection.
That’s why a good preservative like Optiphen Plus is non-negotiable for us. It helps ensure:
Your product remains safe to use from the first application to the last
No compromise in texture, scent, or performance over time
A longer shelf life, reducing waste and improving sustainability
Protection without the harshness of outdated preservatives like parabens or formaldehyde releasers
Why We Chose Optiphen Plus
We use Optiphen Plus because it aligns with everything we value:
Skin-friendly and low-irritation
Effective at low percentages
Compatible with natural oils and emulsifiers
Works in a wide pH range – perfect for diverse formulations
Approved in natural and eco-cert certifications
Vegan and cruelty-free
While we always strive to use the fewest ingredients possible, a high-quality preservative is essential for your safety, especially in products stored in bathrooms or used on hands and body.
Where We Use It
Optiphen Plus is used in all Made in Hemp cream-based products, including:
Hand Protection Cream – long-wearing and bacteria-safe
Hemp Face Creams – Unscented and Ylang Ylang formulas
Our Gym Junkie, Lavender and Vanilla Body Butters – safe for daily, full-body use
By ensuring these water-containing products are properly preserved, we can give you effective, stable skincare without harsh chemicals.
Safety and Skin Compatibility
Optiphen Plus is:
Non-sensitising and non-irritating at appropriate usage levels
Used at 0.75–1.5% – enough to preserve, never enough to overwhelm
Dermatologically safe – even for sensitive and compromised skin
Backed by decades of cosmetic safety research
We love a minimalist formula — but clean doesn’t mean unpreserved. In fact, using a reliable, skin-safe preservative like Optiphen Plus is part of what makes natural skincare truly trustworthy.
At Made in Hemp, we’re committed to your safety without compromising on ingredients or efficacy. Optiphen Plus helps us keep that promise — one batch at a time.
Safe skincare is smart skincare. Browse our handmade skincare range and enjoy the peace of mind that comes from clean, consciously preserved formulations — designed for real life and real skin.
