Spectrastat™ is a complete system for self-preserving cosmetic and personal care products. It uses multifunctional agents that have excellent efficacy as biostatic and fungistatic agents and is ideal for personal care products as an alternative to parabens, phenoxyethanol, MIT, or other preservatives that may be undesirable. Effective over a broad pH range from pH 4 to 8 with a typical use level of .8 to 1.5% (w/w), it may be used in emulsion, anhydrous and surfactant systems. These include creams, lotions, shower gels and color cosmetics. It may be added to the water phase, at ambient or hot temperatures or may be added post emulsification of O/W emulsions.