Sodium Benzoate is the sodium salt of benzoic acid, a preservative effective against bacteria, yeasts, and molds in acidic formulations (pH below 5.5). It is commonly used in food and cosmetics, often paired with potassium sorbate for natural preservation systems.
Key Skin Benefits
+ Effective broad-spectrum preservative in acidic pH
+ Water-soluble and easy to formulate
+ Food-grade, widely studied safety profile
+ Approved for natural cosmetic formulations
Pros
+ GRAS by FDA, decades of food-use safety data
+ Effective at low concentrations (0.1-0.5%)
+ Non-sensitizing and non-irritating
+ Biodegradable
Cons
− Only effective below pH 5.5
− Can form benzene in combination with ascorbic acid under certain conditions
− Not a standalone preservative — best used in combination
Specifications
Property
Value
Usage Areas
Face, Body, Hair
Product Type
Leave-On, Rinse-Off
Source
Synthetic
Natural Level
Synthetic (nature-identical)
Safety Ratings
Metric
Rating
Skin Sensitivity
1/5 (very low)
Comedogenic Rating
0/5
EWG Score
3/10
Regional Regulatory Limits
Region
Leave-on %
Rinse-off %
Status
EU (CosIng)
Max 2.5% (as acid)
Max 2.5%
Allowed — Annex V
US (CIR/FDA)
Up to 0.5%
Up to 0.5%
Allowed — CIR safe; GRAS
Japan (MHLW)
Max 1%
Max 1%
Allowed
ASEAN
Max 2.5% (as acid)
Max 2.5%
Allowed — follows EU
China (NMPA)
Max 2.5% (as acid)
Max 2.5%
Allowed
Typical Usage % by Product Type
Product Type
Typical %
Cream / Lotion
0.1 - 0.3%
Toner / Serum
0.1 - 0.3%
Shampoo / Body Wash
0.1 - 0.5%
References
CIR (2001) — Safety Assessment of Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid, and Sodium Benzoate. PMID: 11766131