The ingredient, explained
Sodium Benzoate
A published expert assessment examines cosmetic-use safety.
Ingredient guide
What it is and what it does
Sodium benzoate is used as a preservative in cosmetic formulas. Preservatives help control microbial growth in the product during storage and use.
About this ingredient: CosIng identity and functions via Open Beauty Facts ↗ · European Commission ingredient function definitions ↗
- Anticorrosive
- Helps protect the product's packaging against corrosion.
- Masking
- Reduces or conceals the formula's underlying odour or taste.
- Preservative
- Helps inhibit microbial growth in the cosmetic product.
Function definitions: European Commission ingredient function definitions (SCCNFP/0299/00, pages 16 to 20) ↗
Registry functions describe possible formulation roles, not results for a finished product. A dictionary entry is not an approval or a safety assessment.
A closer look
What the research shows
Safety assessment
The updated panel assessment supported the specified cosmetic uses and concentrations of the named ingredients.
What this does not tell us
This assessment considers toxicology and exposure, with ingredient-specific data and read-across. It is not a claim of universal tolerability or skincare efficacy.
Sources for this summary. PubMed 29243541 ↗
Research review checked Oct 1, 2026
Bounded review of 8 local candidate records, selected relevant abstracts, and targeted exact-name primary-source searches. Not a systematic review.
Ingredient research is not proof that a product containing this ingredient works.
Read the 1 selected study
Safety assessment
Safety Assessment of Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid and its Salts, and Benzyl Benzoate. ↗
International journal of toxicology · 2017
Follow the formula
Products containing this ingredient
From the Serenfold edit. Linked by the ingredient list, without an efficacy ranking.
Names and identifiers
Registry identity
Sodium benzoate
- INCI name on ingredient lists
- SODIUM BENZOATE
- CAS registry number
- 532-32-1
- EC number
- 208-534-8
Other recorded names (1)
- natrii benzoas
Sources for this ingredient record
- EU CosIng ingredient registry (via Open Beauty Facts taxonomy) ↗ · ODbL 1.0 (Open Beauty Facts database) · Recorded Aug 8, 2026
- European Commission ingredient function definitions ↗ · Recorded Sep 30, 2026