This study proposes a capillary electrophoresis method incorporating large volume sample stacking, EOF and sweeping for detection of common preservatives used in cosmetic products. The method was developed using chemometric experimental design (fractional factorial design and central composite design) to determine multiple separation variables by efficient steps. The samples were loaded by hydrodynamic injection (10 psi, 90 s), and separated by phosphate buffer (50 mM, pH 3) containing 30% methanol and 80 mM SDS at -20 kV. During method validation, calibration curves were found to be linear over a range of 5100 mu g/mL for butyl paraben and isobutyl paraben; 0.0510 mu g/mL for ethyl paraben; 0.250 mu g/mL for dehydroacetic acid; 0.570 mu g/mL for methyl paraben; 5350 mu g/mL for sorbic acid; 0.02450 mu g/mL for p-hydroxybenzoic acid and 0.0510 mu g/mL for salicylic acid and benzoic acid. The analytes were analysed simultaneously and their detection limits (S/N = 3) were down to 0.0052 mu g/mL. The analysis method was successfully used for detection of preservatives used in commercial cosmetics.