ISCA Iscaguard® Iscaguard PBA ® Iscaguard® PBA is an optimised combination of


methylparaben and propylparaben in benzyl alcohol giving the advantages of broad-spectrum antimicrobial protection and the ease of liquid handling.


Iscaguard® PBA retains its activity in the presence of most


cosmetic ingredients, and the use of benzyl alcohol eliminates / reduces the paraben inactivation observed with the use of some nonionic emulsifiers. (Contact ISCA for more details.)


Iscaguard® PBA retains its activity and is stable over the


pH range 4 - 8. It is also stable to UV light. Iscaguard®


PBA is typically used at concentrations of


0.3 – 0.8%. In systems that are difficult to preserve, slightly higher concentrations may be required.


Iscaguard® PBA is non-irritating to skin, eyes or mucous


membranes at permitted use concentrations and may be used in a wide variety of formulation types, but has been demonstrated to be particularly effective in sun care products and moist tissue wipes.


Regulatory Status Iscaguard®


PBA is permitted for use in personal care


products in the European Union (maximum 1.37%), the USA (safe as used) and Japan (maximum 3.7%). There is no limit applied to the use of benzyl alcohol in Japan, however, it is recommended that the use concentration does not exceed 1.37%. INCI name: benzyl alcohol, methylparaben, propylparaben.


Using Iscaguard® Iscaguard®


PBA PBA is soluble in water to approximately 0.5%.


Heating to 40°C may be required, however, in order to dissolve the product more rapidly in aqueous solutions. Alternatively, Iscaguard®


PBA may be pre-dissolved in one


of the other formulation components, e.g. surfactant or organic solvent.


Iscaguard® PBA should be added during the cooling stage


(below 40°C, where possible) of hot processes in order to minimise loss of benzyl alcohol.


Preservative Blends


Table 27 Solubility of Iscaguard® Water


Propylene glycol Butylene glycol Phenoxyethanol


Table 28 Antimicrobial activity of Iscaguard® Microorganism


Pseudomonas aeruginosa Escherichia coli Proteus vulgaris


Staphylococcus aureus Enterococcus faecium Bacillus cereus


Candida albicans Saccharomyces cerevisiae Aspergillus niger


12


PBA (% w/w @ 25°C)


Approx. 0.5% Miscible Miscible Miscible


PBA


Minimum inhibitory concentration (%)


0.30 0.20 0.25


0.20 0.25 0.15


0.15 0.19


0.15


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