The potassium salt of sorbic acid, used in preservative systems.
Sources: 1No alternative names recorded.
Not assessed
No pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific assessment has been completed for this record. A cosmetic safety review is not a pregnancy rating.
Not assessed
Potassium Sorbate
What it does
Helps control susceptible microorganisms in a suitable formula; it may need complementary preservatives.
Sources: 1Good for
- Formula preservation
How to use it
Use only within an appropriately formulated finished product. Preservatives are not a separate skincare application or a home treatment for infection.
Sources: 1Who should be careful
Stinging, irritation or contact reactions are possible, particularly in unsuitable formulations or sensitive users.
Sources: 1Pairs well with
No supported pairings have been documented for this record.
Usage, safety and formulation details
Mechanism of action
Activity is related to sorbic acid availability and therefore depends on pH.
Sources: 1Potential adverse effects
Irritation or allergic contact dermatitis may occur in susceptible users; inadequate preservation also carries risks.
Sources: 1Formulation considerations
Final pH, packaging and microbial challenge testing are important. Food use does not establish every cosmetic use as safe.
Sources: 1Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Not assessed
No pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific assessment has been completed for this record. A cosmetic safety review is not a pregnancy rating.
Safety tags
- Fragrance allergen
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
- Essential oil
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
- Drying alcohol
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
- May irritate sensitive skin
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
What remains uncertain
- Exact concentration, final pH and the full composition of any unprovided finished product
Clinical evidence and research
Clinical evidence
Evidence for its main benefitNot assessed
The cited references support identity, formulation role or safety context. No standalone clinical efficacy rating has been completed for the main benefit in this draft.
Sources: 1Regulation and ingredient label names
Regulatory information
No jurisdiction-specific assessment is recorded. An inventory listing is not blanket approval.
Names on ingredient lists
potassium sorbate
Chemical identity and molecular structure
Chemical information
Chemical structure
| Detail | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| PubChem CID | 23676745 | PubChem compound 23676745: chemical identity |
| molecular formula | C6H7O2K | PubChem compound 23676745: chemical identity |
| molecular weight | 150.22 g/mol | PubChem compound 23676745: chemical identity |
| iupac name | potassium (2E,4E)-hexa-2,4-dienoate | PubChem compound 23676745: chemical identity |
Content updated 9 November 2026.
Sources (2)
Scientific sources
- CIR: Sorbic acid and potassium sorbate assessment recordsafety assessment
- PubChem compound 23676745: chemical identitychemical identity
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