COSGARD

Cosgard: INCI, uses and bulk supply of the cosmetic preservative

Cosgard is one of the most widely used cosmetic preservatives across natural and conventional personal care formulations sold in the European market. Behind the trade name there is a well-defined INCI profile based on benzyl alcohol and dehydroacetic acid in an aqueous carrier, two molecules accepted by Annex V of the EU Cosmetic Regulation when used within the authorised limits. This guide is written for laboratories, indie cosmetic brands and contract manufacturers who need a quick, sourceable answer to what Cosgard actually is, what it does inside a formulation, how it differs from other preservation systems, and how Royal Bio supplies it in bulk to professional buyers.

What is Cosgard?

Cosgard is a trade name for a broad-spectrum cosmetic preservative blend whose main composition includes benzyl alcohol, dehydroacetic acid and water. It is added to creams, lotions, shampoos and other personal care products to inhibit the growth of microorganisms in the finished good, extending shelf life and supporting microbiological safety throughout the product's life cycle.

Although Cosgard is sometimes referred to as a "natural-compatible" preservative because its actives are listed in several natural cosmetic standards, it is not a botanical extract. It is a functional preservative system formulated to deliver predictable, measurable performance in challenge tests, while remaining acceptable to certifiers and formulators working on clean-label products.

Within the European framework, both active ingredients are listed in Annex V of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, which defines the authorised preservatives and their maximum concentrations in finished cosmetic products. Cosgard is therefore positioned as a regulatory-friendly choice for brands distributing across the EU, the UK and other markets aligned with these standards.

Cosgard INCI: benzyl alcohol and dehydroacetic acid

The label declaration on a finished product using Cosgard typically reads: Benzyl Alcohol, Dehydroacetic Acid, (Aqua). Benzyl alcohol is an aromatic alcohol with a long history of use as a solvent and preservative in personal care; dehydroacetic acid acts mainly against yeast and mould, complementing the broader bacterial activity of benzyl alcohol.

Many formulators recognise Cosgard precisely by this INCI combination, and search for it in this exact form when reading competitor labels or building their own ingredient lists. The blend is supplied ready to use, which simplifies handling versus weighing two separate preservatives during compounding.

Royal Bio supplies the standard Cosgard composition based on benzyl alcohol and dehydroacetic acid in a water carrier, with batch documentation that allows the buyer to declare the INCI correctly on the finished product.

How Cosgard works in cosmetic formulations

Cosgard acts by inhibiting the growth of microorganisms inside the finished product, including bacteria, yeast and mould that may enter the cosmetic during manufacturing, packaging and consumer use. By limiting microbial proliferation, it prolongs the useful life of the product and helps the formulator pass the preservative efficacy test (challenge test) required to place a cosmetic on the European market.

It is generally added at the end of the manufacturing process, once the emulsion or finished base has cooled below the temperature recommended by the supplier's technical data sheet. The exact dosage and pH window depend on each formulation, so it is good practice to validate the system through a challenge test on the specific finished good.

EINECS: 606-143-00-6. INCI: Benzyl Alcohol (and) Dehydroacetic Acid.