Preservative systems and compositions and methods incorporating same

1. A composition intended for application onto human skin, hair, and/or nails comprising an antimicrobial effective amount of a preservative system comprising:

(a) from about 1 to about 5% by weight of a Lactobacillus ferment;

(b) from about 1 to about 5% by weight of a Cocos nucifera fruit extract fermented with Lactobacillus;

(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; and

(d) from about 1 to about 10% by weight of a petroleum-free propanediol,

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 from about 0.2 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 of from about 0.2 to about 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 (d) is employed in an amount of from about 2 to about 8% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.

7. The composition of claim 1 , wherein (d) is employed in an amount of from about 4 to about 6% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.

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 is free of any primary antimicrobial agents chosen from parabens, phenoxyethanol, formaldehyde donors, and combinations thereof.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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,

wherein (d) is employed from about 4 to about 6% by weight, and

wherein the composition has a pH ranging from about 4.8 to about 5.3.

13. The composition of claim 12 , wherein the composition is natural, organic, ECOCERT®-approved, and free of petroleum-derived ingredients.

14. The composition of claim 12 , wherein the composition is free of any primary antimicrobial agents chosen from parabens, phenoxyethanol, formaldehyde donors, and combinations thereof.

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) from about 2 to about 5% by weight of a Lactobacillus ferment;

(b) from about 2 to about 5% by weight of a Cocos nucifera fruit extract fermented with Lactobacillus;

(c) from about 0.1 to about 0.5% by weight of at least one co-preservative ingredient chosen from salicylic acid and a salt of a weak acid; and

(d) from about 1 to about 10% by weight of a petroleum-free propanediol,

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 one or more of salicylic acid provided in an amount of from about 0.2 to about 0.45% by weight or potassium sorbate provided in an amount of from about 0.2 to about 0.4% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein (d) is provided in an amount of from about 4 to about 6% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.

18. A preservative system, comprising:

(a) from about 2 to about 8% by weight of a Lactobacillus ferment;

(b) from about 2 to about 4% by weight of a Cocos nucifera fruit extract fermented with Lactobacillus;

(c) from about 0.2 to about 0.4% by weight of potassium sorbate; and

(d) from about 4 to about 6% by weight of a petroleum-free propanediol,

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 , further comprising from about 0.2 to about 0.45% by weight of salicylic acid.

20. The preservative system of claim 19 , wherein the composition has a pH ranging from about 4.8 to about 5.3.

21. The preservative system of claim 18 , wherein the preservative system comprises:

(a) about 4% by weight of the Lactobacillus ferment;

(b) about 4% by weight of the Lactobacillus and Cocos nucifera fruit extract;

(c) about 0.2% by weight of the potassium sorbate; and

(d) about 4% by weight of the petroleum-free propanediol.

22. The preservative system of claim 18 , wherein the preservative system comprises:

(a) about 4% by weight of the Lactobacillus ferment;

(b) about 4% by weight of the Lactobacillus and Cocos nucifera fruit extract;

(c) about 0.4% by weight of the potassium sorbate; and

(d) about 4% by weight of the petroleum-free propanediol.