Ingredient function 201 ingredients · Page 1/5

PRESERVATIVE

Exclusively or mainly intended to inhibit the development of micro-organisms in the cosmetic product. All authorised preservatives are substances in the positive list of Annex V to the Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009.

201 ingredients in the EU CosIng inventory carry the PRESERVATIVE function designation.

Ingredients with the PRESERVATIVE function

Silver Zinc Zeolite (Zeolite, LTA framework type, surface-modified with silver and zinc ions). This entry covers LTA framework type zeolite…

CAS 130328-20-0II/1597

Benzalkonium Bromide is the mixture of alkylbenzyldimethylammonium bromides that conforms generally to the formula:

CAS 91080-29-4V/54 III/65

Benzalkonium Chloride is a mixture of alkylbenzyldimethylammonium chlorides that conforms generally to the formula:

CAS 63449-41-2 / 68391-01-5 / 68424-85-1 / 85409-22-9V/54 III/65

Benzalkonium Saccharinate is a mixture of alkylbenzyldimethylammonium saccharinates that conforms generally to the formula:

CAS 68989-01-5V/54 III/65

Benzenemethanaminium, N,N-dimethyl-N-[2-[2-[4-(1,1,3,3,-tetramethylbutyl)phenoxy]ethoxy]ethyl]-, chloride

CAS 121-54-0V/53

Cassytha Filiformis Powder is the powder obtained from the dried, ground whole plant, Cassytha filiformis, Lauraceae.

2,4,11,13-Tetraazatetradecanediimidamide, N,N''-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-3,12-diimino-; Biguanide, 1,1'-hexamethylenebis(5-(p-chlorophenyl)-

CAS 55-56-1V/42

N,N'-bis(4-Chlorophenyl)-3,12-diimino-2,4,11,13-tetraazatetradecanediamidine di(acetate)

CAS 56-95-1V/42

D-Gluconic acid, compound with N,N''-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-3,12-diimino-2,4,11,13-tetraazatetradecanediamidine (2:1)

CAS 18472-51-0V/42

Phenol, 4-chloro-2-(phenylmethyl)-

CAS 120-32-1II/1602

Phenol, 4-chloro-3,5-dimethyl-

CAS 88-04-0 / 1321-23-9V/26

How the PRESERVATIVE function is used in CosIng

The PRESERVATIVE function is assigned by the European Commission in the CosIng ingredient inventory. This page currently lists 201 ingredients carrying that function label in the dataset, which helps you move from a functional claim to the exact ingredients that use it.

Exclusively or mainly intended to inhibit the development of micro-organisms in the cosmetic product. All authorised preservatives are substances in the positive list of Annex V to the Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009.

Function assignments come from official EU CosIng data. They describe intended cosmetic use, but they do not replace regulatory review of each linked ingredient and any annex records tied to it.

Frequently asked questions

The PRESERVATIVE function, as defined in the EU CosIng database, describes the role this group of ingredients plays in a cosmetic formulation. There are currently 201 ingredients in the EU CosIng inventory assigned this function. Function labels are standardised terms used in Product Information Files (PIF) and ingredient declarations.

Yes. An ingredient's function in the CosIng inventory is independent of its regulatory status. An ingredient with the PRESERVATIVE function may also be listed in Annex II (prohibited), Annex III (restricted), or other annexes. Always check each ingredient's annex records for applicable conditions before formulating.

Ingredient functions are documented in the Product Information File (PIF) as part of the cosmetic product safety assessment. They describe the intended role of each ingredient in the formulation and support the safety assessor's review. Functions do not appear on consumer-facing product labels, which list only INCI names.

Use the INCI Checker to paste your full ingredient list and screen it against all Annex II–VI restrictions, CMR classifications and allergen flags from the EU CosIng database.

Tools & next steps

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Scan a full INCI list, then review which matched ingredients are tagged with the PRESERVATIVE function.

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See the full list of cosmetic ingredient function categories in the EU CosIng inventory.

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