Antimicrobial activity of Butyl acetate, Ethyl acetate and Isopropyl alcohol on undesirable microorganisms in cosmetic products

Abstract

Products containing more than 5% ethyl or butyl acetate or more than 10% isopropyl alcohol are hostile towards microbial growth. These products can therefore be considered as microbiologically low risk during both production and use, and so do not require microbiological testing (challenge test and end-product testing). Moreover, the nine tested mixtures of these three solvents - which are characteristic of nail varnish compositions - all have a high cidal activity on the tested strains within a short time. The risk of cross-contamination can therefore be considered as controlled when the nail varnishes are applied on successive clients in beauty salons.