Skincare without the upsell.
Be

Benzoic Acid

Benzoic Acid

A preservative (also used in food) that guards mostly against yeast. Works best in more acidic products, often with other preservatives.

What it does

Benzoic acid and its salt, sodium benzoate, are preservatives used in food and cosmetics. They protect mainly against yeast and some bacteria and work best in more acidic products, so they’re often paired with other preservatives. Their job is keeping the product from spoiling.

The EU’s ingredient database lists it as a preservative (holds back germs in the product) and a pH adjuster (sets how acidic the product is).European Commission, CosIng (© European Union, CC BY 4.0) · uses put in plain words by Drop ↗

Also known as

sodium benzoate (salt)

Browse all 1238 ingredients — grouped by what they do, each with whatever evidence we can cite.

This page is public so a shared ingredient card always has its sources behind it — and so you can check them without an account.
Want more like this?
Every evidence-based flag cites its source, Drop tells you when your routine is complete, and it helps you simplify — instead of selling you more. The app launches on iOS and Android in October 2026. Rate my routine works today at /rate — no sign-in.