An Investigation of the Surfactants and Preservative Ingredients used in Korean Fundamental Cosmetics from 2020-2022

Surfactants and preservative ingredients have a dominant effect on the safety of cosmetics. This study investigated the main surfactants and preservative ingredients in Korean fundamental cosmetics sold within the past three years. Oil-in-water (O/W) emulsifiers have been mainly polyethylene glycol (PEG)-free surfactants; however, the main solubilizing agents have remained PEG-based. Paraben, which was the main preservative ingredient, has been replaced by 1,2-hexanediol and ethylhexylglycerin. These technical safety advances concerning surfactants and preservative ingredients have made Korean cosmetics one of the safest in the world.