The present invention provides preservative compositions suitable forreplacing, partially or in totality,conventional preservatives in skin care and hygiene cosmetic or pharmaceuticalproducts. The preservative formulations include anorganic carboxylic acid present in a concentration from about 0.01 to about 30wt./wt. % of the formulation, an alcohol present in aconcentration from about 0.01 to about 60 wt./wt. % of the formulation. Theformulations include an inorganic salt present in aconcentration from about 0.01 to about 80 wt./wt. % of the formulation, and achelating agent present in a concentration fromabout 0.01 to about 20 wt./wt. % of the formulation.
