Sodium Dehydroacetate is a broad-spectrum preservative effective against bacteria, yeast, and mold. It is the sodium salt of dehydroacetic acid and works well across a wide pH range. Often used in natural-leaning formulations as a paraben-free alternative.
Key Skin Benefits
+ Broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity
+ Works across wide pH range (3-9)
+ Stable and non-volatile
+ Effective at very low concentrations
Pros
+ Very low usage rate (typically 0.1-0.3%)
+ Good heat stability for hot-process formulations
+ Non-sensitizing at cosmetic use levels
+ Compatible with most cosmetic ingredients
Cons
− Less effective against some gram-negative bacteria alone
− Best used in combination preservative systems
− Limited consumer familiarity compared to phenoxyethanol
Specifications
Property
Value
Usage Areas
Face, Eye, Body, Hair
Product Type
Leave-On, Rinse-Off
Source
Synthetic
Natural Level
Synthetic
Safety Ratings
Metric
Rating
Skin Sensitivity
1/5 (very low)
Comedogenic Rating
0/5
EWG Score
1/10
Regional Regulatory Limits
Region
Leave-on %
Rinse-off %
Status
EU (CosIng)
Max 0.6% (as acid)
Max 0.6%
Allowed — Annex V
US (CIR/FDA)
Up to 1%
Up to 1%
Allowed — CIR safe
Japan (MHLW)
Max 0.5%
Max 0.5%
Allowed
ASEAN
Max 0.6% (as acid)
Max 0.6%
Allowed — follows EU
China (NMPA)
Max 0.6% (as acid)
Max 0.6%
Allowed
Typical Usage % by Product Type
Product Type
Typical %
Cream / Lotion
0.1 - 0.3%
Serum / Toner
0.1 - 0.3%
Shampoo / Body Wash
0.2 - 0.5%
References
CIR (2018) — Safety Assessment of Dehydroacetic Acid and Sodium Dehydroacetate. PMID: 30311800