Natural Preservatives

History of Natural Preservation 

Preservation is a skill humans have used for centuries and there are many ancient natural methods that are known and unknown to mankind from history. People have found ways to keep food, drink and cosmetics clean and, most importantly, safe to use. 

In Ancient Egypt, Cedarwood oil was used for mummification, preserving paper as well as incense or as an additive in hair and skincare products. They have found secret recipes for salves, pastes and incense made with pure natural oils – written on Ancient Egyptian clay tablets. 

Cosmetic Preservation

Most cosmetic products contain good water content, fatty acids, and carbohydrates, which makes them a rich medium for growth of bacteria, fungi, and several microbes. This creates a need for preservatives to prevent spoilage of the cosmetic product as well as skin infections [in the consumer]. 

There are a number of preservatives for cosmetics and cosmeceuticals that are of natural origin and “not synthetically manufactured,” including essential oils and such plant extracts as rosemary, cinnamon, coleus, and tea tree. 

Sinha Hair Preservation

Sinha Hair was born from ancient recipes in Sri Lankan Ayurveda but also by combining modern natural methods that we have researched and tested. Our main products like our oils have a long shelf-life but they are used consistently and the product usually finished before the best before date. Many of our products can last well past a year or more. We achieve these preservation techniques using traditional tools and methods. These include many natural ingredients and techniques that have been used for hair care, around the world for centuries. 

Some of the most popular and effective natural preservatives available include rosemary extract, neem oil, citrus oils, citric acid, grape seed extract, and buffered vinegar. We have combined the most effective ingredients that Sri Lankan Ayurveda has been using for centuries, which aid in hair growth and also preservation, resulting in a balanced, natural product. 

Our Ingredients

These ingredients are not only effective preservatives but they also aid in hair growth & strength. 

Sinha Hair products are oil-based which naturally creates a preservation effect and adds to the shelf-life of our products. 

Rosemary: Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is an herb native to the Mediterranean region. Our essential extract is naturally derived organically to the highest quality from Sri Lanka. Rosemary is an effective preservative due to its high anti-oxidant and anti-microbial activities. These properties allow rosemary to prevent microbial growth while decreasing spoilage through oxidation.

Cinnamon: Cinnamon is a spice obtained from the inner bark of several tree species from the genus Cinnamomum. We use organic, natural cinnamon from Sri Lanka and extract it into our products. Spices such as cinnamon have been used traditionally to preserve food and cosmetic products. The considerable antimicrobial, fungicidal and antioxidant properties of cinnamon provide a theoretical basis for its use.

Curry Leaves: The curry tree, Murraya koenigii or Bergera koenigii, is a tropical to sub-tropical tree in the family Rutaceae, and is native to Asia. Our curry leaves are organic and from Sri Lanka and are infused into our products from the leaf. The antifungal and antiaflatoxigenic properties of the curry tree make it a prominent natural preservative that can replace synthetic preservatives in many worldwide products.

Interesting Fact: The curry leaf is said to possess antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Meanwhile, cinnamon leaf is known to strengthen the immune system against diseases caused by fungi, viruses and bacteria. The two leaves together produce a preservative that is effective against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, yeast and mold. The preservative can be formulated in rinse-off products such as shampoos, shower gels, body washes and foam baths in addition to skin care such as creams, lotions, emulsions and gels

Vitamin C: Our Vitamin C is organically extracted powder which we add to the product as we make it. Ascorbic acid is used primarily as an antioxidant, which can provide multiple benefits for shelf-life. Slowing the oxidation preserves color and freshness. The low pH of ascorbic acid can help prevent microbial growth, thereby preventing spoilage and preserving freshness. 

Vitamin E: Our Vitamin E is a high-quality, organic extract that has many benefits for hair growth as well as a preservative. Vitamin E oil is an antioxidant and helps to prolong the shelf life of oil-based products because of its anti-oxidation properties. 

Tea Tree: Tea tree oil, also known as melaleuca oil, is an essential oil that comes from steaming the leaves of the Australian tea tree. Studies show that tea tree has antimicrobial and antifungal efficacy and can act as a suitable preservative system within an oil-based formulation.

Sea Salt: Sea salt is salt that is produced by the evaporation of seawater. Our salt is organic, high-quality pure sea salt from Sri Lanka. Salt is effective as a preservative because it reduces the water activity of foods. The water activity of a food is the amount of unbound water available for microbial growth and chemical reactions.