Sodium Benzoate is a widely used functional cosmetic ingredient and preservative for cosmetic and personal-care formulation systems. It is the sodium salt of Benzoic Acid and is identified by the INCI name SODIUM BENZOATE. The ingredient has CAS Number 532-32-1, EC Number 208-534-8, molecular formula C₇H₅NaO₂, and molecular weight approximately 144.10 g/mol.
Sodium Benzoate is generally supplied as a white crystalline powder, granules or flakes. Its water solubility is substantially higher than that of Benzoic Acid, which can make Sodium Benzoate useful when developing aqueous cosmetic and personal-care formulations. The FCC description identifies Sodium Benzoate as white granules, crystalline powder or flakes and reports that 1 g dissolves in approximately 2 mL of water.
Sodium Benzoate is the sodium salt formed from Benzoic Acid. It is commonly used as a preservation ingredient in formulation systems where control of microbial growth is required.
For cosmetic formulators, Sodium Benzoate can be an important ingredient when developing products that require a suitable preservation system. Its effectiveness depends on the complete formulation, including pH, concentration, water activity, packaging and the presence of other ingredients.
The ingredient should therefore be selected according to the intended application, finished-product requirements and applicable cosmetic regulations.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Sodium Benzoate |
| INCI Name | SODIUM BENZOATE |
| CAS Number | 532-32-1 |
| EC Number | 208-534-8 |
| Molecular Formula | C₇H₅NaO₂ |
| Molecular Weight | 144.10 g/mol |
| Chemical Name | Benzoic Acid, Sodium Salt |
| Chemical Class | Aromatic Carboxylic Acid Salt |
| Physical Form | White crystalline powder, granules or flakes |
| Cosmetic Function | Preservative |
The chemical identity and physical information are supported by PubChem, the European Commission's cosmetic documentation and FCC/USP references.
Sodium Benzoate is used as a cosmetic preservative ingredient. It can be incorporated into appropriately designed cosmetic and personal-care products where preservation against microbial growth is required.
The European Union Cosmetics Regulation includes Benzoic Acid and its sodium salt in the list of preservatives permitted for cosmetic products, with conditions and maximum concentrations depending on product type. The regulation lists Sodium Benzoate under the common ingredient name and identifies CAS 532-32-1 and EC 208-534-8.
This means that the appropriate concentration should not be assumed to be identical for every cosmetic application. Formulators need to consider the finished-product category and the requirements of the target market.
Sodium Benzoate can be considered for a variety of cosmetic and personal-care formulation systems, including:
The suitability of Sodium Benzoate depends on the formulation composition, pH, concentration, packaging and regulatory requirements.
The principal cosmetic function of Sodium Benzoate is preservative.
As a preservation ingredient, Sodium Benzoate can contribute to controlling microbial growth in appropriately formulated cosmetic products. Its performance is influenced by the formulation environment, particularly pH and the overall preservation system.
For this reason, Sodium Benzoate should be evaluated as part of the complete formulation rather than treated as an independent guarantee of product preservation.
Sodium Benzoate has good water solubility compared with Benzoic Acid. The FCC describes it as soluble in water, with approximately 1 g dissolving in 2 mL of water under the described conditions.
This characteristic makes Sodium Benzoate particularly relevant when developing aqueous or water-containing cosmetic formulations.
During formulation development, manufacturers should consider the order of addition, concentration, pH and temperature to achieve appropriate incorporation and uniformity.
Sodium Benzoate is generally supplied as a white crystalline powder, granules or flakes. The FCC provides this description and identifies its molecular formula as C₇H₅NaO₂ with a formula weight of approximately 144.11.
The exact physical characteristics can vary according to grade, processing and particle-size specifications. Commercial buyers should therefore refer to the current specification and COA for the supplied material.
Quality requirements for Sodium Benzoate depend on the applicable grade and standard.
The USP-NF monograph defines Sodium Benzoate as containing NLT 99.0% and NMT 101.0% of Sodium Benzoate on the anhydrous basis.
The FCC also provides a monograph for Sodium Benzoate and describes its identity and physical characteristics.
These pharmacopoeial or food-chemical specifications should not automatically be presented as the specification of SDP's cosmetic ingredient. The live SDP page should display the actual specification applicable to the grade being sold.
When using Sodium Benzoate as a cosmetic ingredient, formulators should evaluate:
Preservative effectiveness should be established through appropriate formulation and microbiological testing.
Sodium Benzoate can be considered for selected skin-care formulations where preservation is required. It may be incorporated into water-containing systems such as creams, lotions, gels and other personal-care formulations where the ingredient is compatible with the formulation's pH and preservation strategy.
The final concentration and suitability should be determined during formulation development and according to applicable regulations.
Sodium Benzoate can also be used as a cosmetic ingredient in selected hair-care and cleansing formulations.
Potential applications include:
The finished formulation should be evaluated for compatibility, stability and preservation performance.
Sodium Benzoate is relevant to personal-care manufacturers looking for a water-compatible preservation ingredient. Its established chemical identity and commercial availability make it a commonly considered ingredient for formulation development.
The ingredient should be selected according to the formulation's requirements rather than solely on the basis of its general preservative function.
For B2B cosmetic ingredient procurement, Sodium Benzoate can be supplied with product identification, technical specifications and batch documentation. Ingredient manufacturers and formulators can use these details to evaluate the material for their intended cosmetic and personal-care applications.
A detailed product specification helps procurement teams compare grade requirements, quality parameters, packaging requirements and application suitability.
Actual grade, specification, packaging, MOQ and availability should be confirmed from the current commercial documentation.
Sodium Benzoate should be stored in suitable, tightly closed packaging under the conditions specified for the supplied grade. The material should be protected from contamination, excessive moisture and unsuitable storage conditions.
For commercial handling, customers should consult the current product specification, SDS and batch-specific Certificate of Analysis.
Sodium Benzoate is an established cosmetic ingredient primarily used for its preservative function in suitable cosmetic and personal-care formulations. Its defined chemical identity, good water solubility and established regulatory history make it a relevant ingredient for formulation and procurement teams.
For commercial cosmetic applications, the appropriate Sodium Benzoate grade should be selected according to the intended product, technical specification and regulatory requirements of the target market.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | white to off-white crystalline powder |