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.
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.
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.
Scan the full ingredient label and understand if it's safe for your child.
This ingredient has the following documented risks:
Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.
This ingredient may also be listed as:
Always check ingredient labels carefully, as ingredients may be listed under different names.
This ingredient is found in the following products:
This list shows products that contain Sodium Benzoate or its alternative names.
Yes, Sodium Benzoate is generally considered safe for 5+ year old children based on current research.
Banned or heavily restricted in one or more countries.
Sodium Benzoate is commonly found in skincare products, cosmetics, and topical applications. Always check ingredient labels before use.
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.
Use our camera scanner to analyze more ingredient labels
Scan Another Product