Sodium Benzoate

5+ year old childrenSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Is this kid-friendly to use Sodium Benzoate?

YES - Generally Safe
Danger Score: 2 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Sodium Benzoate is generally considered safe for 5+ year old children when used in topical products. Kids may have different tolerance levels.

ℹ️General Overview

For school-age kids (5 years and up), sodium benzoate is usually safe in the small amounts used in lotions, wipes and creams. It helps stop bacteria and mold. Serious problems like cancer or widespread allergies are not expected, but some safety groups and countries set limits on how much can be used.

What to Do

Use products labeled for kids when possible. If trying a new product, do a quick patch test on a small area of the arm and watch for 24 hours. Don’t put the product on cuts, scrapes, or irritated skin. Avoid getting it in the eyes or mouth. If your child has sensitive skin, choose fragrance-free or child-formulated products that state they limit preservatives.

⚠️Warnings

Watch for redness, itching, swelling or a rash — if these happen, stop use and talk to your pediatrician. Safety reviewers and some national authorities (for example the Cosmetic Ingredient Review panel and Japan’s Ministry of Health) recommend limits on how much sodium benzoate can be used in cosmetics, and some reviews note gaps in long-term data (Environmental Protection Agency). Because of those limits, check product labels or choose brands that state they are formulated for children or that avoid/limit certain preservatives.

Confidence: HIGH

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Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Banned: Some official reviews and regulators limit or restrict sodium benzoate in personal care products. A cosmetic safety review group (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) says it is safe only with concentration or use limits. One national health ministry (Japan) sets concentration limits for cosmetics. Regulatory reviews also note gaps in safety data. Because of these formal restrictions, this ingredient may be banned or tightly limited in some countries or product certification programs.

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for Sodium Benzoate

This ingredient may also be listed as:

sodium benzoateSODIUM BENZOATEsodium benzoate" }3860-EP2289893A13860-EP2287160A13860-EP2295424A13860-EP2280009A1J-5197523860-EP2295427A13860-EP2287154A13860-EP2292611A13860-EP2298735A13860-EP2295426A1

Always check ingredient labels carefully, as ingredients may be listed under different names.

Products Containing Sodium Benzoate

This ingredient is found in the following products:

This list shows products that contain Sodium Benzoate or its alternative names.

Common Questions About Sodium Benzoate

Is this kid-friendly to use Sodium Benzoate?

Yes, Sodium Benzoate is generally considered safe for 5+ year old children based on current research.

What are the banned risks of Sodium Benzoate for children?

Banned or heavily restricted in one or more countries.

What products contain Sodium Benzoate?

Sodium Benzoate is commonly found in skincare products, cosmetics, and topical applications. Always check ingredient labels before use.

When can kids start using products with Sodium Benzoate?

The appropriate age depends on the specific ingredient properties and concentration. This analysis is for 5+ year old children. Use the age selector above to check other ages.

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