Preservative systems and compositions and methods incorporating same

Abstract

Compositions intended for application onto human hair, skin, and/or nails can include an antimicrobial effective amount of a preservative system containing: (a) at least 1% by weight of a Lactobacillus ferment; (b) at least 1% by weight of a Cocos nucifera fruit extract fermented with Lactobacillus; and (c) up to about 0.5% by weight of at least one co-preservative ingredient chosen from salicylic acid and a salt of a weak acid, all weights based on the total weight of the composition. The preservative system excludes phenoxyethanol and has a pH ranging from about 4.8 to about 5.5.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A composition intended for application onto human skin, hair, and/or nails comprising an antimicrobial effective amount of a preservative system comprising:
 (a) at least 1% by weight of a  Lactobacillus  ferment;   (b) at least 1% by weight of a  Cocos nucifera  fruit extract fermented with  Lactobacillus ; and   (c) up to about 0.5% by weight of at least one co-preservative ingredient chosen from salicylic acid or a salt of a weak acid,   wherein the preservative system excludes phenoxyethanol, and   wherein all weights are based on a total weight of the composition, and   wherein the composition has a pH ranging from about 4.5 to about 5.5.   
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one co-preservative ingredient is salicylic acid employed in an amount up to about 0.45% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one co-preservative ingredient is a salt of a weak acid employed in an amount up to 0.4% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 3 , wherein the salt of a weak acid is potassium sorbate. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one co-preservative ingredient is a mixture of from about 0.2 to about 0.45% by weight of salicylic acid and from about 0.2 to about 0.4% by weight of potassium sorbate, all weights based on the total weight of the composition. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the preservative system excludes parabens. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the preservative system excludes formaldehyde-releasing compounds. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is natural, organic, ECOCERT®-approved, and free of petroleum-derived ingredients. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises a skin topic comprising one or more of a cream, lotion, serum, mist, spray, or wash. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is intended for use on keratinous substances, including human hair and nails, the composition comprising one or more of mascara, shampoo, nail polish, or conditioner. 
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the preservative system additionally comprises from about 0.2 to about 0.4% by weight of potassium sorbate,
 wherein (a) is employed in an amount from about 2 to about 4% by weight,   wherein (b) is employed in an amount from about 2 to about 4% by weight,   wherein (c) is employed from about 0.2 to about 0.45% by weight, and   wherein the composition has a pH ranging from about 4.8 to about 5.3.   
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein the composition is natural, organic, ECOCERT®-approved, and free of petroleum-derived ingredients. 
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 12 , wherein the composition is free of parabens. 
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 12 , wherein the composition is free of formaldehyde donors. 
     
     
         15 . A method of preventing and inhibiting microbial growth on or in a composition intended for application onto human skin, comprising:
 adding to the composition an antimicrobial effective amount of a preservative system containing:
 (a) at least 1% by weight of a  Lactobacillus  ferment; 
 (b) at least 1% by weight of a  Cocos nucifera  fruit extract fermented with  Lactobacillus ; and 
 (c) up to about 0.5% by weight of at least one co-preservative ingredient chosen from salicylic acid and a salt of a weak acid, 
 wherein the preservative system excludes phenoxyethanol, 
 wherein all weights are based on a total weight of the composition, and 
 wherein the composition has a pH ranging from about 4.5 to about 5.5. 
   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one co-preservative ingredient is salicylic acid provided in an amount up to about 0.45% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one co-preservative ingredient is potassium sorbate provided in an amount up to about 0.4% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. 
     
     
         18 . A preservative system, comprising:
 (a) up to about 4% by weight of a  Lactobacillus  ferment;   (b) up to about 4% by weight of a  Cocos nucifera  fruit extract fermented with  Lactobacillus ; and   (c) at least 0.2% by weight of at least one co-preservative ingredient chosen from salicylic acid or a salt of a weak acid,   wherein the preservative system excludes phenoxyethanol,   wherein all weights are based on a total weight of a composition into which the preservative system is applied, and   wherein the composition has a pH ranging from about 4.5 to about 5.5.   
     
     
         19 . The preservative system of  claim 18 , wherein (c) comprises about 0.4% potassium sorbate. 
     
     
         20 . The preservative system of  claim 18 , wherein the wherein the preservative system excludes parabens and formaldehyde-releasing compounds.