No products in the cart.: $0.00
Optiphen Plus
ORY® product lines:
☑ Skincare
☑ Haircare
◐ Handmade Soap (liquid and water-containing products)
☑ Cosmetics — three-line functional ingredient
Optiphen Plus is a ready-to-use, paraben- and formaldehyde-free preservative system that combines phenoxyethanol (broad antibacterial coverage) with caprylyl glycol (a skin-conditioning glycol that boosts antimicrobial activity) and sorbic acid (a food-grade antifungal for yeast and mold). The three components cover the gaps each leaves alone, giving full-spectrum protection at 0.75–1.5% in emulsions, gels, and surfactant systems. Each component has been reviewed: phenoxyethanol by the CIR and EU SCCS [1, 2], caprylyl glycol among the 1,2-glycols [3], and sorbic acid by the CIR [4]. Optiphen Plus is the workhorse preservative of small-batch and Build-Your-Own formulation because it is liquid, easy to dose, and effective at the slightly acidic pH (≤6) most skin and hair products already use.
What is Optiphen Plus made of?
Optiphen Plus is a liquid blend from Ashland. Composition and roles [1–4]:
- Phenoxyethanol (majority): Broad-spectrum antibacterial, strongest against Pseudomonas; pH 3–10.
- Caprylyl glycol (1,2-octanediol): Skin-conditioning humectant that disrupts microbial membranes and boosts the blend.
- Sorbic acid: Antifungal (yeast, mold); active mainly in its undissociated form at pH ≤6 — the reason Optiphen Plus is pH-dependent.
- Typical use 0.75–1.5%; effective pH ≤6 (best 4–5.5); add at ≤60 °C or at cool-down.
- Paraben-free, formaldehyde-free; globally accepted.
What skin type is best suited for Optiphen Plus?
Optiphen Plus is a formulation-level ingredient suitable for all seven ORY® skin types:
- All skin types: Optiphen Plus is a formulation-level ingredient rather than a skin-type active; at its use level it is suitable for every ORY® skin type.
- Sensitive: Low irritation at use levels; sorbic acid can rarely cause non-immune stinging — patch test.
- Acne-prone: Prevents microbial growth that can worsen breakouts; non-comedogenic.
- Dry: Protects water-rich hydrating products.
- Oily and Combination: Protects gels, toners, and light lotions.
- Mature: Protects active-rich serums and creams over their shelf life.
- Normal: Everyday product protection.
What hair type is best suited for Optiphen Plus?
Optiphen Plus protects acidic ORY® haircare products, which naturally sit at pH 4.5–6:
- All hair and scalp types: Optiphen Plus protects water-based shampoos, conditioners, leave-ins, and scalp serums; no direct effect on hair.
- Sensitive scalp: Low-irritation preservation at use levels; patch test if preservative-sensitive.
- Curly and coily: Essential in water-rich curl creams and leave-ins that stay on the hair.
- Dandruff-prone scalp: Prevents contamination of scalp treatments applied to compromised skin.
- Oily scalp, dry or damaged, color-treated, mature or thinning, straight, wavy: Neutral; formulation-level protection for all.
What are the benefits of Optiphen Plus?
Optiphen Plus’s benefits are functional [1–5]:
- Full-spectrum preservation: Bacteria (phenoxyethanol), yeast and mold (sorbic acid) in one liquid.
- Paraben- and formaldehyde-free: Consumer-accepted.
- Skin-conditioning glycol: Caprylyl glycol adds a soft feel and humectancy.
- Easy dosing: Liquid; one ingredient covers the system.
- Ideal for acidic formulas: Matches the pH of most skin and hair products.
- Reviewed components: [1–4].
- Lower phenoxyethanol level: Boosters reduce total load.
Dual use across ORY® product lines
Optiphen Plus protects water-containing products in three ORY® lines at pH ≤6; cold-process bars need no preservative.
| ORY® line | Dual use? | How it is used | Typical level |
|---|---|---|---|
|
ORY® Skincare |
Yes |
Creams, lotions, serums, toners, gels, masks (pH 4–6). |
0.75–1.5% |
|
ORY® Haircare |
Yes |
Shampoos, conditioners, leave-ins, curl creams (pH 4.5–6). |
0.75–1.5% |
|
ORY® Handmade Soap |
Limited |
Liquid and cream soaps only if pH ≤6 (true liquid soap is pH 9–10 — use Germall Plus or phenoxyethanol/EHG there); syndet cleansers at acidic pH. |
0.75–1.5% |
|
ORY® Cosmetics |
Yes |
Foundations, BB creams, primers, setting sprays, mascaras (pH ≤6). |
0.75–1.5% |
Pros and cons of Optiphen Plus
Pros
Cons
- Complete system in one bottle: Small-batch friendly.
- Paraben- and formaldehyde-free: Clean positioning.
- Skin-feel benefit: Caprylyl glycol.
- Reviewed components: [1–4].
- Widely available: Consistent supply.
- pH-dependent: Loses antifungal power above pH 6 — unsuitable for true (alkaline) liquid soap.
- Can destabilize some emulsions: Caprylyl glycol may thin viscosity; test.
- Sorbic acid discoloration: May yellow over time in some formulas; light-protect.
- Faint odor: Usually masked.
- Rare stinging/allergy: Patch test.
What is the best application of Optiphen Plus?
Optiphen Plus is added at cool-down to acidic formulas:
- Cream or lotion: 1.0% at cool-down; adjust pH to 4.5–5.5.
- Serum or toner: 1.0%; pH 4–5.5.
- Shampoo/conditioner: 1.0–1.2%; pH 4.5–5.5.
- Syndet or acidic liquid cleanser: 1.0%.
- Cosmetics: 1.0%.
- Challenge testing: Confirm efficacy per formula.
Peer-reviewed references
- Elder RL (ed). Final report on the safety assessment of phenoxyethanol. Journal of the American College of Toxicology. 1990;9(2):259–277.
- Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS). Opinion on phenoxyethanol, SCCS/1575/16. European Commission; 2016. (Regulatory source: safe at up to 1% in cosmetics for all consumers.)
- Fiume MM, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, et al. Safety assessment of 1,2-glycols as used in cosmetics. International Journal of Toxicology. 2012;31(5 Suppl):147S–168S.
- Elder RL (ed). Final report on the safety assessment of sorbic acid and potassium sorbate. Journal of the American College of Toxicology. 1988;7(6):837–880.
- Lundov MD, Moesby L, Zachariae C, Johansen JD. Contamination versus preservation of cosmetics: a review on legislation, usage, infections, and contact allergy. Contact Dermatitis. 2009;60(2):70–78.
Disclaimer:
The information on this page is provided by ORY International, LC for educational purposes only. It summarizes published research about Optiphen Plus (phenoxyethanol, caprylyl glycol, and sorbic acid) as an ingredient, including laboratory and animal studies and clinical studies of formulas that may differ from ORY® products. Results from these studies may not apply to every person or to ORY® products. This page is not medical advice and does not replace advice from a dermatologist, physician, or other qualified healthcare provider.
ORY® Skincare, Haircare, Handmade Soap, and Cosmetics products are cosmetics. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate, or prevent any disease or condition, including eczema, dermatitis, acne, dandruff, or any other condition. References to FDA or Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) findings describe the ingredient, not ORY® products, and do not mean FDA has reviewed or approved any ORY® product.
Results vary by skin and scalp type, formulation, and use. Allergy to these ingredients is uncommon; sorbic acid can occasionally cause stinging. Any cosmetic can cause irritation, sometimes from other ingredients. Always patch test, follow label directions, and stop use if irritation occurs. If you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are buying for a child, consult a healthcare provider before use.
ORY International, LC works to keep this page accurate and current but makes no warranty as to its completeness. To the fullest extent permitted by law, ORY International, LC is not liable for any loss or injury arising from reliance on this information or from use of any product contrary to its label directions. To report a reaction, contact us at [insert contact email / phone].
