INTRODUCTION
Cosmetics are external preparations normally applied to
human body parts mainly for beautifying, cleansing and
protecting.
25
These products are formulated from an array
of chemicals in the presence of plentiful amount of water
and mostly exhibit a near neutrality pH.
2
Cosmetic
products are basically non sterile but must be completely
free of high-virulence microbial pathogens. The total
number of aerobic microorganisms per gram must be at
minimal stipulated standard by various authorities in any
country, for instance, International Standard Organisation
(ISO), Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and
National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and
Control (NAFDAC) as is the case in Nigeria. Production
of stable cosmetics requires an integrated quality
management system which consists of quality raw
material, proper product formulation, hygienic design of
production facilities, good production hygiene process,
packaging containers and a validated preservative system
.
13,27
To achieve this, the preservatives are optimised by
antimicrobial stabilisation and its synergistic effects in
cosmetic products. Therefore, unless adequately