Potassium Sorbate

INCI: POTASSIUM SORBATE
Type: Preservative, antimicrobial agent
Origin: The potassium salt of sorbic acid, a naturally occurring compound first isolated from mountain ash berries (Sorbus aucuparia). Cosmetic-grade potassium sorbate is produced synthetically to ensure purity and consistency.

What it does:

Potassium Sorbate is a mild, well-established preservative widely used in food, personal care, and cosmetic products. Primary functions:

1. Antimicrobial protection: Exhibits strong efficacy against molds and yeasts, with supplementary activity against a broad spectrum of bacteria. It works by inhibiting key enzymatic functions within microbial cells, preventing their growth and reproduction.
2. Formula safety: Protects water-containing formulations from spoilage during manufacturing, storage, and the product’s entire usage period, ensuring safety and stability from first use to last.

Why we use it:

We pair Potassium Sorbate with Sodium Benzoate as our complete preservative system. This synergistic combination allows us to ensure the microbiological integrity of our water-containing products with confidence, using ingredients that are mild, well-understood, and aligned with our commitment to clean, responsible formulation.

Exceptionally well-tolerated, with a very low irritation and sensitization profile. It is globally approved for cosmetic use and has an excellent long-term safety record.

Readily biodegradable and environmentally compatible.