The sodium salt of benzoic acid, used in cosmetic preservation 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
Sodium Benzoate
What it does
Helps control susceptible microorganisms in appropriately formulated products. It is not a treatment for skin infection.
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 or contact reactions can occur in susceptible people. A preservative-containing product can still be contaminated if it is poorly formulated or handled.
Sources: 1Pairs well with
No supported pairings have been documented for this record.
Usage, safety and formulation details
Mechanism of action
Preservation activity is related to benzoic acid availability and therefore depends strongly on the formula's pH.
Sources: 1Potential adverse effects
Irritation or allergic contact dermatitis may occur in susceptible users; inadequate preservation also carries risks.
Sources: 1Formulation considerations
Assess final pH, complementary preservatives, packaging and microbial challenge-test results. A food-use history does not replace cosmetic exposure assessment.
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
sodium benzoate
Chemical identity and molecular structure
Chemical information
Chemical structure
| Detail | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| PubChem CID | 517055 | PubChem compound 517055: chemical identity |
| molecular formula | C7H5NaO2 | PubChem compound 517055: chemical identity |
| molecular weight | 144.10 g/mol | PubChem compound 517055: chemical identity |
Content updated 9 November 2026.
Sources (2)
Scientific sources
- CIR: Benzyl alcohol, benzoic acid, its salts and benzyl benzoatesafety assessment · 2017
- PubChem compound 517055: chemical identitychemical identity
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