What is "SODIUM BENZOATE" and what does it do?

Role: CONSERVATIVE

Family:

Comedogenic index: 0

Sodium benzoate is an ingredient widely used as a preservative in cosmetics and food products.

It's the salt of benzoic acid, an acid naturally present in foods such as cranberries, apricots, mushrooms and honey. In cosmetics as in food, it acts as a preservative, preventing bacterial and fungal growth, being more active against the latter.
Its effectiveness depends on pH, and it works best at acidic pH levels (3-5). It is not strong enough to be used on its own, so it is always combined with other preservatives, often potassium sorbate.
In its crude state, sodium benzoate is a white crystalline solid, soluble in water.

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