So
Sodium Benzoate
Sodium Benzoate
A preservative that stops mold and yeast in acidic products. It works only below about pH 5.
What it does
It’s often paired with potassium sorbate to cover both bacteria and mold. Natural skincare favors the pair because both are allowed under natural-certification rules.
The evidence, graded
expert consensusUS safety reviewers judged sodium benzoate safe at up to 5%. They noted that this group of ingredients can cause hives where it touches skin, a reaction that isn’t an allergy. They also found too little safety data for products you might breathe in, such as sprays. It’s the sodium salt of benzoic acid, used to preserve a wide range of cosmetics.Nair 2001 · International journal of toxicology ↗
Graded per the methodology: strong · moderate · emerging · expert consensus. A weak source on a strong claim gets the weaker label.
Pairs worth knowing
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