On Lush products, SP stands for Self-Preserving. This designation indicates that the product has been formulated to maintain its freshness and inhibit microbial growth with minimal to no synthetic preservatives.
Understanding Self-Preserving Products
Lush's approach to self-preserving cosmetics involves innovative formulation techniques that leverage the natural properties of ingredients. Instead of relying heavily on synthetic preservatives, these products are designed to create an environment where microbes find it difficult to thrive.
How Lush Achieves Self-Preservation
Lush employs several strategies to make products self-preserving:
- Naturally Antimicrobial Ingredients: Many self-preserving products contain ingredients known for their inherent antimicrobial properties. These can include:
- Essential oils: Certain essential oils possess natural antibacterial and antifungal qualities.
- Salts: High concentrations of salt can create an environment unsuitable for microbial proliferation.
- Honey: Honey is a natural humectant with antimicrobial properties, partly due to its low water activity.
- Reduced Water Content: Microbes, like bacteria and fungi, require water to grow and multiply. By reducing the overall water content in a product, Lush effectively limits the environment conducive to microbial life. Some ingredients are specifically chosen to lower the product's water activity, contributing significantly to its self-preserving nature.
This careful formulation allows Lush to create products that remain fresh and safe for use, often with a longer shelf life, while aligning with their philosophy of using fewer synthetic additives.
