INGREDIENTS IN DEPTH - SODIUM BENZOATE

SUMMARY

GOOD | SAFE TO BE USED IN COMBINATION WITH VITAMIN C | APPROVED BY REGULATORY BODIES

A prevalent, useful preservative used in most of the personal care products for improving the shelf-life of the products.

WHAT IS SODIUM BENZOATE?

Sodium Benzoate is a salt of benzoic acid that acts as a preservative in many personal care products. It is a safe alternative for other harmful preservatives like parabens. It also occurs naturally in fruits like cranberries, plums to name a few.

It acts as a preservative which inhibits the formation of bacteria and fungus in the formulation of products. This prevention begins when benzoic acid is absorbed by the cell of microorganism. In case the pH of that cell is 5 or below, the process which involves the anaerobic fermentation of glucose by an enzyme called phosphofructokinase reduces rapidly. This prevents the growth of the microorganisms which are capable to spoil the products. It also helps in preserving the packaging of products that use metallic materials by preventing their corrosion. It rightfully increases the shelf life of the products.

REVIEW OF SODIUM BENZOATE

Sodium Benzoate is one of the most researched and reviewed ingredients. Top regulatory bodies like FDA (Food and Drug Administration ensures the safety, efficacy and security of humans by making sure that cosmetics are safe to use), CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review thoroughly investigates the safety of ingredients used in cosmetics), EU Cosmetics Regulation (It ensures the safety of the consumers while using the cosmetic products) and EWG (Environmental Working Group Skin Deep is a cosmetic database for ensuring the safety of ingredients being used in personal care products) along with popular skin care brand Paula's Choice have rated it safe for use in cosmetics, personal care products. 

QUESTIONS ABOUT IT'S USAGE IN COMBINATION WITH VITAMIN C

There are methods to formulate the products using Sodium Benzoate and Vitamin C in combination with each other in order to prevent them from reacting with each other. Usually, Benzene is not formed in all the products that have higher levels of Vitamin C and lower levels of Sodium Benzoate. The personal care products that have a pH 3 or more are termed as safe in stopping the formation of benzene. The products that have a pH 7 do not form benzene. If the products are protected from the exposure to heat and light, then they are safe from the formation of benzene. Cosmetic experts and manufacturers generally conform to safe practices that mitigate benzene formation in the skin care and hair care products that invariably contain vitamin C.