Sodium Benzoate
Sodium benzoate
- Role
- Helps protect the formula from microbial contamination.
- Catalog formulas
- 9
- Type
- Stability
- Verified
- 06.11.2026
What does this ingredient do in an antiperspirant?
This sodium salt of benzoic acid is a preservative that is most active in an acidic environment. It is often used together with other preservatives.
Part of a system, not a label in isolation
It appears in water-based roll-ons and in the water phase of aerosols. It has no effect on sweat release.
In the EU, benzoic acid and sodium benzoate are permitted as preservatives under Annex V of Regulation 1223/2009: up to 0.5% calculated as the acid in leave-on products. In 2017 the CIR found benzoic acid and its salts safe in the present practices of use and concentration.
Like other preservatives, it may cause an individual reaction, although the permitted limits are set for cosmetic use.
It is not the same as C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate or Benzyl Benzoate: despite the shared word benzoate, the first is an emollient and the second a fragrance ingredient.
Products containing Sodium Benzoate
Links are based on the complete published INCI list for the exact product version.
Sources
The conclusions apply to the stated conditions and jurisdictions, not automatically to every concentration or product.
- Regulation (EC) 1223/2009, Annex V: benzoic acid and its sodium salt Supports: function, permitted concentration
- CIR: Safety Assessment of Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid and its Salts, and Benzyl Benzoate (2017) Supports: function, safety assessment