Disclosed herein is a preservative formulation for skin care products, comprising: · at least one organic carboxylic acid that is maleic acid, present in a concentration from about 0.01 to about 30 % wt./wt. of the formulation； · at least one alcohol that is a phenyl alcohol, present in a concentration from about 0.01 to about 60 % wt./wt. of the formulation； · at least one inorganic salt that is ammonium sulfate, present in a concentration from about 0.01 to about 80 % wt/lwt. of the formulation； and · at least one chelating agent that is sodium iminodisuccinate, present in a concentration from about 0.01 to about 20 % wt./wt. of the formulation
