Sodium Benzoate
Price range: $5.25 through $24.00 USD
INCI: Sodium Benzoate
Form: Beads
pH Efficacy: < 5.0
Solubility: Water
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INCI: Sodium Benzoate
pH Efficacy: < 5.0
Solubility: Hydrophilic
Naturality: Nature-identical preservative derived from benzoic acid, which occurs naturally in plants.
Key Benefits
- Water-soluble and easy to incorporate into the water phase
- Active against bacteria, yeast, and mold in acidic systems
- Suitable for sensitive-skin, baby-care, and wipe formulations when properly formulated
- Compatible with leave-on and rinse-off products
- Widely accepted in “clean-label” and minimalist preservative systems
Formulation Notes
- INCI: Sodium Benzoate
- Solubility: Water soluble
- Recommended use level: typically 0.2–0.5%
- Effective pH range: below 5.5 (optimal performance ~pH 4.0–5.0)
- Activity is pH-dependent; Sodium Benzoate does not lower pH on its own
- Not considered fully broad spectrum as a standalone preservative
- Challenge testing is always recommended
Complete the System
For full broad-spectrum preservation, Sodium Benzoate is most commonly paired with Potassium Sorbate.
- Sodium Benzoate
- Strong contributor to bacterial control
- Additional antifungal activity under acidic conditions
- Potassium Sorbate
- Particularly effective against yeast and mold
- Complements Sodium Benzoate’s bacterial coverage
Together, this system provides balanced, reliable broad-spectrum protection in acidic cosmetic formulations and is one of the most widely used preservative pairings in modern “clean-label” skincare and personal care.
Common combined use levels (guideline):
- Sodium Benzoate: 0.2–0.5%
- Potassium Sorbate: 0.1–0.3%
(Final levels depend on formulation, pH, and challenge testing.)
Sodium Benzoate is a water-soluble, pH-dependent preservative ingredient used in cosmetic and personal care formulations to control the growth of bacteria, yeast, and mold. It is most effective in acidic systems and is widely used in both leave-on and rinse-off products, particularly in surfactant-based and aqueous formulations.
Sodium Benzoate is the sodium salt of benzoic acid and has a long history of use in personal care, wipes, and detergency applications. Its antimicrobial activity increases as formulation pH decreases, making pH control a critical factor in preservation performance.
Functional Role in Formulation
In acidic cosmetic systems, Sodium Benzoate contributes meaningful antibacterial and antifungal activity. However, while it exhibits activity across multiple microorganism classes, it is not considered a fully broad-spectrum preservative on its own in all cosmetic formats.
For this reason, Sodium Benzoate is commonly combined with complementary preservatives—most notably Potassium Sorbate—to ensure consistent and reliable broad-spectrum protection.
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