Sodium Benzoate

adultsSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Is this safe for adults to use Sodium Benzoate?

YES - Generally Safe
Danger Score: 2 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Sodium Benzoate is generally considered safe for adults when used in topical products. Adults generally have higher tolerance.

ℹ️General Overview

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.

What to Do

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.

⚠️Warnings

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.

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 safe for adults to use Sodium Benzoate?

Yes, Sodium Benzoate is generally considered safe for adults based on current research.

What are the banned risks of Sodium Benzoate for adults?

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 adults using products with Sodium Benzoate?

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.

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