Over the past twenty years there has been an accelerated attack on the use of preservatives in cosmetics. This increased scrutiny of preservatives has forced cosmetic companies to change their strategy on how they are going to preserve, protect and stabilize their products. Because a majority of cosmetic products are water based, they require adequate preservation to protect against contamination by micro-organisms such as bacteria, yeast and mold, especially those products that are delivered in multi-use packaging. This presentation will highlight the basic requirements for proper preservation, some of the chemistry's that are now at the forefront of cosmetic preservation, review the differences between conventional preservation and multifunctional ingredients, and what the landscape may look like for going forward in the area of product protection.