Why the Oribe Serene Scalp Densifying Shampoo P. gergoviae Recall Matters for Formulators
Kao’s voluntary June 2026 recall of Oribe Serene Scalp Densifying Shampoo highlights a major blind spot for cosmetic chemists: contamination by the bacterium P. gergoviae
Skin Barrier-Friendly Preservatives and Multifunctionals
Key takeaways Most skin-barrier content starts and ends with lipids — ceramides, cholesterol, fatty acids, the brick-and-mortar story. The preservation system is rarely invited into that conversation. Yet preservatives and multifunctionals are present in almost every water-containing formula, they sit on the skin for the life of the product, and they interact directly with the […]
Why the Target Baby Wipe Recall Matters for Formulators
Target’s voluntary recall of its Up & Up baby wipes, confirmed by FDA testing in June 2026, has identified Burkholderia cepacia complex and Burkholderia gladioli in product samples — two gram-negative bacteria with serious clinical implications for infants and immunocompromised individuals. The recalled products are a 99% water formulation on a PET/viscose substrate, preserved with hydroxyacetophenone and sodium benzoate. This case study examines the organisms involved, the product’s claims and formulation, and what wet wipe formulators need to consider when designing preservation systems for the baby care category.
Baby wet wipe preservation failure: what formulators must know
A recent EU Safety Gate alert has flagged a children’s wet wipe — marketed as 99% water — for contamination with mesophilic aerobic bacteria, moulds, and Candida albicans. The product contained a multi-component preservative system. It still failed. This case study unpacks why minimalist preservation is not the same as effective preservation, and what formulators working with high-water-content products and natural substrates need to get right
Waterless cosmetics claims: what formulators need to know about preservative free beauty
Three claims are appearing together in clean beauty: waterless, preservative-free, and concentrated. Together they create a compelling value narrative — but the science behind each one is more nuanced than the trend suggests. Here’s what formulators should know.
Skin-Brain Axis: How Gentle Preservation May Guard Cognitive Health
A landmark three-year trial found that twice-daily application of a barrier repair cream stabilised cognitive scores in elderly participants, while untreated controls declined significantly. The findings establish the skin-brain axis as a real clinical phenomenon — and raise important questions about how we formulate for ageing skin. Dr. Barbara Olioso reviews the evidence and breaks down what the Atopalm formulation teaches us about MLE technology and gentle, glycol-based preservation