Sodium Benzoate

INCI: SODIUM BENZOATE
Type: Preservative, antimicrobial agent
Origin: The sodium salt of benzoic acid, which occurs naturally in small amounts in certain fruits (like cranberries, prunes, and cinnamon). Cosmetic-grade sodium benzoate is produced synthetically to ensure purity and consistency.

What it does:

Sodium Benzoate is a mild, well-studied preservative used to protect water-containing formulations from microbial contamination. Primary functions:

1. Antimicrobial protection: Effective primarily against yeasts and molds, with some activity against bacteria. It works by entering microbial cells and disrupting their internal pH balance, inhibiting their growth and survival.
2. Formula safety: Prevents spoilage during manufacturing, storage, and daily use, ensuring the product remains safe and stable throughout its intended shelf life.

Why we use it:

We include Sodium Benzoate as a key component of our effective preservative system. It allows us to ensure the microbiological safety of our water-containing products. Preservatives within water-containing products are crucial for consumer safety and product integrity.

Sodium Benzoate is approved for use in cosmetics worldwide, including the EU.

It is rarely used alone. In our formulations, it works in synergy with Potassium Sorbate to create a broad-spectrum, effective preservation system.

Readily biodegradable and environmentally compatible.