It is inevitable to use chemical germicidal agents like paraben, imidazolidinyl urea and phenoxyethanol to preserve the emulsions which is usually used in cosmetics. Although these chemical preservatives are good enough to reduce the microbiological contamination, they are irritative, allergenic to the skin. Several kinds of polyols are used in cosmetics as moisturizer and solvent. In this study, we evaluate the effects of polyols on anti-microbial activities, safety and resistant index. MIC(minimal inhibitory concentration) of polyols determined against 6 germs including Staphylococcus aureus. The order of MIC was PG ≅ DPG ≅ 1,3BG 〉 HG 〉 1,2-PD 〉 1,2-HD ≅ 1,2-OD. The 2~3 wt% of 1,2-HD(hexanediol) shows good anti-microbial effects in emulsions without allergenic response. Resistant index of 1,2-HD was less than 2 and this value was smaller than that of chemical preservatives. The mechanism of antimicrobilogical effect might be disturb the membrane of germs by investigating using electron microscope. Added to that, using this paradigm, low preservative contents, paraben-free system, and even preservative-free systems can be expected from these results.

The cosmetic and toiletries are necessary health care & household for common life. However we need antiseptic which is effecting harmlessly to the human body. There are propolis, Lavender, Lemon, essential oil in the natural antiseptic materials. This work proceeded design Natural-antiseptic system with three materials as above-mentioned. Natural-antiseptic system was accomplished with propolis (2%), Lavender essential oil (0.3%), Lemon essential oil (0.3%) safety out of Polysorbate 20 (0.5%), Polysorbate 80 (0.5%), PEG (60) hydrogenated castor oil (0.45%), ethanol (5%). The antimicrobial test was experimented on E. coli and Bacillus stearothermophilus. In this antimicrobial test, we found that the effect of antisepsis against E. coli and Bacillus stearothermophilus with propolis 0.3%, Lavender essential oil 0.045% and Lemon essential oil 0.045% was improved. Therefore could expect Natural-antiseptic system product for moisturizing skin toner for face, nourishing essence and wet tissue for clean other things.