What skin types is Sodium Benzoate good for?

Sodium Benzoate is suitable for all skin types.

What can you mix with Sodium Benzoate?

Sodium Benzoate works well with Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid. These combinations are generally safe and can enhance results.

Is Sodium Benzoate safe to use every day?

Sodium Benzoate can generally be used morning and evening. Recommended concentration: 0.1–0.5% in formulations.

Sodium Benzoate

Sodium Benzoate

Also known as: Benzoic Acid Sodium Salt · E211

Preservative

“A widely used preservative that's most effective in low-pH formulations.”

Skin types

All types

Pore-clogging

Non-comedogenic

Use when

AM & PM

Concentration

0.1–0.5%

What it does

Sodium benzoate is the sodium salt of benzoic acid and functions as an antimicrobial preservative. It is most effective at low pH (below 4.5), making it common in acidic formulations like vitamin C serums and toners. It is generally well-tolerated and is used in food (E211) as well as cosmetics.

Benefits

Effective preservative in low-pH (acidic) formulations
Common in clean and natural beauty products
Well-tolerated at cosmetic concentrations

How to layer

☀️ Morning routine

Cleanser

Toner

Serum

Moisturiser

SPF

🌙 Evening routine

Cleanser

Toner

Serum

Moisturiser

Face Oil

After cleansing, before moisturiser

Good for

All skin

Works well with

Potassium Sorbate ›Citric Acid ›

Heads up

⚠Less effective at neutral or alkaline pH
⚠In combination with vitamin C (ascorbic acid), can form trace benzene — levels are very low but worth noting

How to use

A background preservative ingredient. No special application needed.

Typical concentration: 0.1–0.5% in formulations