“Sodium Benzoate?”Here!
Appears in 2 scanned products.
In personal care
The sodium salt of benzoic acid, a compound found naturally in low levels in cranberries, plums, and some other fruits, but produced synthetically for commercial use.
Why it’s used
It is a preservative, added to stop mold, yeast, and some bacteria from growing in water-based products, protecting both the formula and the person using it. It works best in slightly acidic formulas, which is why it is often paired with citric acid or another mild acid.
What the evidence says
Sodium benzoate has a long history of use in both food and cosmetics and is reviewed as safe by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review and permitted as a food additive by the FDA at regulated levels.
Context
Used at low percentages, generally under 1 percent, in both rinse-off and leave-on products. The benzene question comes from food science rather than cosmetics: sodium benzoate and ascorbic acid (vitamin C) in the same liquid can form small amounts of benzene when it is warmed or lit, which FDA researchers measured in soft drinks under accelerated heat and UV conditions. We have found no study measuring that reaction in a cosmetic formulation, so what is on record is the chemistry and the drinks it was measured in, not an exposure from a product used on skin.
Rumors
Sodium benzoate reacts with vitamin C to form benzene, a carcinogen.
We haven’t found evidence strong enough to support this or rule it out.
What was measured is not yet noted.
Who’s saying this
- Lipo Naturals — a brand: sells liposomal dietary supplements
How we know who this is
- “Lipo Naturals encapsulates pure-grade dietary supplements in a microscopic lipid bubble - called a 'liposome.'” (their page)
- “Lipo Naturals was created with a firm belief that our supplement technologies can really benefit our customers.” (their page)
- Lipo Naturals — a brand: sells liposomal dietary supplements
Where it shows up
and 1 more product