Synthetic parabens and formaldehyde releasers are falling out of favor, but keeping creams safe from microbes remains a challenge. The global shift toward "clean-label" cosmetics has left formulators scrambling for milder preservatives. A research paper led by Dr. Maria Trapali (University of West Attica, Greece), now offers a drop-in solution: the simple pairing of Lavandula angustifolia hydrosol with its own essential oil.