Preservatives are important ingredients that are added to cosmetic products to keep them safe and effective.  Making sure products are protected means that people can be confident that their cosmetics are protected against contamination by microorganisms during storage and continued uses. Consumer safety is paramount, and cosmetic products are formulated to prevent contamination by microorganisms. Bacteria, yeasts and moulds are always present on our skin and in the surrounding air. These can get into products during normal use. Without preservatives, many products could spoil, reducing their effectiveness and leading potentially to problems such as skin or eye infections. Just as food can spoil, cosmetic and personal care products can deteriorate in the same way – especially as they are often stored in warm, humid environments, like bathrooms.  Preservatives can prevent these problems by stopping microorganisms from multiplying in the product.