Last month, Arxada launched Geogard^® NEU, a breakthrough multifunctional product protection technology for cosmetics and personal care. This water-soluble, easy-to-formulate system delivers affordable product protection at low use levels (starting at 0.03%) for both rinse-off and leave-on formats. 

Designed to meet sustainability and conscious beauty trends, Geogard^® NEU combines well-known multifunctional ingredients in a patented synergistic blend, offering surprising antimicrobial efficacy—even at neutral pH where traditional organic acids fail. It addresses formulators’ challenges of cost, compliance, and versatility, outperforming conventional preservative systems under regulatory scrutiny. 

According to Arxada, Geogard^® NEU is a game-changer for brands seeking safe, effective and consumer-friendly protection without compromising quality or budget.

Happi caught up with Dr. Sabrina Behnke, global director for marketing and growth, personal care at Arxada, to learn more about Geogard^® NEU.

Happi: What are Geogard NEU’s benefits for formulators and how is this product distinct in terms of formulation flexibility and performance?

Behnke: The Geogard^® NEU multifunctional system brings a fresh approach to multifunctional product protection compared with what formulators typically rely on today. Most multifunctional ingredients used for product protection, such as caprylyl glycol or ethylhexylglycerin, need to be added at around 0.3–1.0%, and those higher levels can start to influence the overall formulation properties including viscosity, texture or flow. With the Geogard^® NEU multifunctional system, we’re introducing a technology that performs effectively at inclusion levels 10–30 times lower, which means those unwanted formulation changes are far less likely while still delivering strong protection. It’s also fully water‑soluble, easy to handle, and flexible enough to be added at virtually any point in the formulation process. 

Happi: What applications are best for Geogard NEU and why?

Behnke: The Geogard^® NEU multifunctional system presents a true alternative for cost-sensitive applications that previously had a limited palette of product protection ingredients to choose from. It’s versatile not only across many rinse-off formats but is also equally suitable for leave-on formulations like lotions and creams. With an excellent safety profile and global regulatory compliance, the Geogard^® NEU multifunctional system gives the industry a tool that can be adopted into new (and existing) formulations with speed. 

Simultaneously, the Geogard^® NEU system delivers multifunctional benefits such as chelation, antioxidant power, and skin conditioning benefits which are ideal for formulators trying to achieve additional formulation benefits with fewer ingredients.

Due to its low inclusion levels, the Geogard^® NEU multifunctional system is a great candidate for cost-sensitive formulations for shower gels, shampoos and liquid soaps and other systems that work well within a neutral pH range (up to pH 7). These systems have traditionally relied on the combination of Methylisothiazolinone and Methylchloroisothiazolinone, more recently almost exclusively on combinations of Phenoxyethanol and Sodium Benzoate. Regulatory limits of MIT/CMIT have been lowered, and the preservatives are now under heightened consumer scrutiny. While Phenoxyethanol is safe to use at concentrations up to 1%, more brands are formulating away from it, because of this heightened scrutiny.    

Happi: How does Geogard NEU help brands meet sustainability goals?

Behnke: Arxada’s sustainability priorities are reflected in the development of the Geogard^® NEU multifunctional system, which was designed to deliver strong product protection with a lighter environmental footprint. The technology features a 51% renewable carbon index and works at use levels 10 to 30 times lower than many conventional preservation systems, allowing formulators to reduce material consumption without compromising efficacy. Its natural origin content, calculated according to ISO 16128, is 42%, giving brands a transparent benchmark for meeting today’s expectations around more sustainable, nature‑aligned formulations.

The Geogard^® NEU multifunctional system also incorporates hydroxyacetophenone, a nature‑identical component as well as copper gluconate which is produced using fermentation-based gluconic acid. Complementing the ingredient design, Arxada continues to strengthen its sustainability foundations by partnering with raw material suppliers who share its commitments to responsible sourcing and reducing carbon emissions across the value chain. These efforts support Arxada’s broader mission to safeguard human health, reduce waste, conserve resources, and extend product lifecycles through thoughtful preservation.

Looking ahead to 2030, Arxada is expanding product‑level carbon tracking, advancing science‑based advocacy, and working toward ensuring that 100% of key suppliers complete comprehensive ESG assessments, all of which support long‑term commitment to delivering preservation technologies that are not only high performing, but meaningfully more sustainable.

Happi: What consumer demands are shaping how Arxada develops ingredients?

Behnke: The personal care preservative and multifunctional landscape is constantly changing and evolving, driven by regulations and trends such as “clean beauty” In response, Arxada focuses on creating safe, simple, and more sustainable solutions that align with customer expectations from modern ingredients. We also carefully analyze gaps in today’s preservative and multifunctional offerings, especially the pain points formulators encounter, and design technologies that directly address those unmet needs. This approach ensures we deliver ingredients that not only meet evolving consumer demands but are also a joy to formulate.

Happi: How can formulators get more information about Geogard^® NEU?

Behnke: For formulators attending NYSCC Supplier’s Day in New York City, we invite you to visit our booth to engage directly with our technical and marketing experts and explores the benefits of the Geogard^® NEU system firsthand. We also encourage you to reach out to your local Arxada sales representative, who will be pleased to provide an early introduction to this innovation.

Review and follow all product safety instructions, available at www.arxada.com. © 2026 Arxada