Sodium Benzoate

The Basics On Sodium Benzoate

What is Sodium Benzoate?

Salt of benzoic acid used as a preservative.

What are other names for Sodium Benzoate?

BENZOIC ACID, SODIUM SALT, SODIUM BENZ

What is Sodium Benzoate used for?

Sodium benzoate is the sodium salt of Benzoic Acid used as a preservative, also in a wide range of cosmetic product types. Sodium benzoate is produced by the neutralization of benzoic acid with caustic soda and/or soda ash. Sodium benzoate is found naturally in cranberries, prunes, plums, cinnamon, ripe cloves, and apples. It is used as a preservative in cosmetics and personal care product formulas as a fragrance ingredient, masking ingredient, anti-corrosive agent, and most frequently, as a preservative. Sodium benzoate is the inactive salt of benzoic acid which is soluble in water. At low pH levels in water, sodium benzoate converts to benzoic acid, the active form of the compound. The activity of benzoic acid is very pH dependent, showing low activity above pH 6 and most active at pH3.

How Sodium Benzoate is classified

Preservatives

Recommendations for using Sodium Benzoate during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Is sodium benzoate safe during pregnancy? Avoid

Sodium Benzoate During Pregnancy

What we know about using Sodium Benzoate while pregnant or breastfeeding

Limited information available.

According to the OECD SIDS initial assessment report on benzyl alcohol, benzoic acid, and its sodium and potassium salts, benzoic acid did not induce reproductive effects in a 4-generation reproductive toxicity study (NOAEL > 750 mg/kg).3 Groups of rats (20 rats/sex/group) received benzoic acid doses of 375 or 750 mg/kg/day in the diet continuously. Animals of the third generation were killed after 16 weeks. Also, test substance–related effects on reproductive organs (based on gross and microscopic examination) were not observed in subchronic studies (rats and mice) on benzyl alcohol and sodium benzoate. In groups of rats fed sodium benzoate (doses up to 5,600 mg/kg/day) during each day of gestation, developmental effects were observed only in the presence of marked maternal toxicity (reduced food intake and decreased body weight; NOAEL = 1,400 mg/kg/day). All developmental effects were observed at doses ≥2,800 mg/kg/day. On days 6 through 10, 15, or 18 of gestation, dosing with sodium benzoate by gavage in hamsters (NOEL = 300 mg/kg body weight), rabbits (NOEL = 250 mg/kg), and CD-1 mice (NOEL = 175 mg/kg) did not result in maternal toxicity; doses >NOEL were not tested. In mice of an unspecified strain dosed with benzyl alcohol by gavage, an NOAEL of 550 mg/kg (only dose) body weight for developmental toxicity was reported. An LOAEL of 750 mg/kg/day (only dose) for developmental toxicity was reported for CD-1 mice dosed orally (gavage) with benzyl alcohol. In this study, maternal toxicity (increased mortality, decreased body weight, and clinical toxicity) was observed.3 Sodium Benzoate The effect of sodium benzoate on biochemical aspects of pregnant female albino rats and survival of their offspring was evaluated using groups of 10 Sprague Dawley rats.65 Two groups of weanling female rats were fed (ad libitum) sodium benzoate at doses of 0.01 g and 0.0125 g in the diet, respectively, daily for 12 weeks. Standard diet was fed to the control group. After mating, the animals were fed ad libitum during pregnancy. When compared to the control group, both doses of sodium benzoate induced a decrease in serum bilirubin and an increase in serum urea. Both doses of sodium benzoate also induced an increase in serum uric acid (P < .01 and P < .05, respectively). Serum alanine aminotransferase activity was significantly greater (P < .01) in the high-dose group but not in the low-dose group. The high dose did not induce a significant increase in serum creatinine. Statistically significant (P < .01) decreases in food intake, hemoglobin, and hematocrit were also reported. Pregnant rats that received high doses of sodium benzoate sustained a 13.6% decrease (P < .05) in mean weight of their pups, when compared to mean pup weight in the corresponding control group.

General safety info about Sodium Benzoate from CIR

Benzyl alcohol, benzoic acid and its salts, and benzyl benzoate function mostly as fragrance ingredients/preservatives in cosmetic products. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel previously established concentration limits for benzyl alcohol, benzoic acid, and sodium benzoate in cosmetics and determined that the available data were insufficient to support the safety of these ingredients during inhalation exposure. After reviewing newly available data, it was concluded that benzyl alcohol, benzoic acid and its salts, and benzyl benzoate are safe in the present practices of use and concentration described in this safety assessment.

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Products where you might find Sodium Benzoate

Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum; Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Moisturizer with Ceramides; The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA