For adults: sodium benzoate is a common preservative in creams, lotions and cleansers. When used at the small amounts usually found in products it is generally low risk. Most people will not have problems, though a few may get irritation or an allergic reaction.
If you are an adult, you can use products that list sodium benzoate normally. To be safe: try a small patch on forearm the first time you use a new product, avoid using products with this ingredient on broken or inflamed skin, stop use if you get redness, itching or a rash, and check product labeling for any notes about restricted use. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have serious skin conditions, talk with your healthcare provider.
Regulatory and industry reviews note concentration limits and manufacturing recommendations — see Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) and national health authorities (for example Japan’s Ministry of Health) for details. Some safety assessments also point out data gaps and rely on reported maximum product concentrations (Cosmetic Ingredient Review; U.S. EPA). Watch for signs of skin allergy or irritation and avoid products that cause those reactions. Some product verification programs restrict or require justification for this ingredient, so if you prefer formulations without it, look for products labeled accordingly.
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 adults 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 adults. Use the age selector above to check other ages.
Use our camera scanner to analyze more ingredient labels
Scan Another Product