11 ingredients
Preservative
Explore all 11 ingredients in the Preservative category. Learn about their benefits and find products that contain them.
Phenoxyethanol
Phenoxyethanol is a widely-used synthetic preservative and solvent that protects cosmetic formulations from microbial contamination by bacteria, yeast, and mould. It is an aromatic ether that occurs naturally in small amounts in green tea, though cosmetic-grade phenoxyethanol is synthetically produced. It is thermally stable up to 85°C and effective across a broad pH range of 3–10, making it compatible with most formulation types.
Learn more →Sodium Benzoate
Sodium benzoate is a widely used cosmetic preservative derived from benzoic acid, functioning as the sodium salt of benzoic acid. It works by inhibiting microbial growth — particularly fungi and some bacteria — by disrupting cell membrane transport and interfering with intracellular pH, making it most effective in acidic formulations (pH 3–5). Because it lacks broad-spectrum potency on its own, it is typically paired with other preservatives such as potassium sorbate to achieve full-spectrum protection.
Learn more →Benzyl Alcohol
Benzyl alcohol is an aromatic alcohol that occurs naturally in fruits (cranberries, apricots), teas, and essential oils. In cosmetics it is primarily used as a preservative at concentrations up to 1%, preventing microbial growth and extending product shelf life. It also functions as a fragrance component and solvent. It is one of the 26 EU-listed allergens that must be declared on product labels when present above specified thresholds.
Learn more →Potassium Sorbate
Potassium sorbate is the potassium salt of sorbic acid (E202), widely used as a cosmetic preservative. It works primarily against mould and yeast by converting to its active form — sorbic acid — in the presence of water at an acidic pH (ideally pH 3–4). Because it has limited antibacterial activity, it is most effective when combined with other preservatives such as sodium benzoate or phenoxyethanol for broad-spectrum protection.
Learn more →Dehydroacetic Acid
Dehydroacetic acid is a synthetic preservative (chemical name: 3-acetyl-6-methyl-2H-pyran-2,4(3H)-dione) used in cosmetic formulations to prevent microbial contamination. It works by inhibiting the growth of bacteria, yeast, and mould, extending a product's shelf life and maintaining formula stability. It is Ecocert and Cosmos approved, making it popular in natural and organic formulations.
Learn more →Sodium Levulinate
Sodium levulinate is the sodium salt of levulinic acid, used in cosmetics primarily as a preservative and skin conditioning agent. It provides broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and is often used as a natural alternative to traditional preservatives. It is also classified as a skin conditioning agent by CosIng.
Learn more →Phenethyl Alcohol
Phenethyl alcohol (2-phenylethanol) is an aromatic alcohol that occurs naturally in essential oils such as rose, neroli, and geranium. In cosmetics it serves a dual role: it masks the unpleasant odour of other ingredients with its pleasant rose-like scent, and it provides antimicrobial activity that boosts the efficacy of traditional preservative systems.
Learn more →P-Anisic Acid
P-anisic acid (4-methoxybenzoic acid) is a naturally occurring aromatic acid derived from plants, structurally related to benzoic acid with a methoxy group at the para position. It functions primarily as an antifungal preservative in cosmetic formulations, inhibiting fungal and microbial growth to extend product shelf life. It is also listed in the EU CosIng database as a masking agent, meaning it can help suppress undesirable odours in formulations.
Learn more →Chlorphenesin
Chlorphenesin is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial preservative used in cosmetic formulations to inhibit the growth of bacteria, fungi, and yeast, thereby extending product shelf life. It is a glycerol ether (3-(4-chlorophenoxy)-1,2-propanediol) that works by disrupting microbial cell membranes. It is most commonly used in combination with phenoxyethanol, where the two compounds act synergistically to provide more effective preservation than either alone.
Learn more →Benzoic Acid
Benzoic acid is a naturally occurring aromatic carboxylic acid used as an Ecocert-approved preservative in cosmetic formulations. It inhibits the growth of bacteria, yeasts, and moulds, particularly in acidic environments (pH < 5). It is typically used as part of a preservative blend rather than as a standalone preservative.
Learn more →Sodium Salicylate
Sodium salicylate is the sodium salt of salicylic acid. In cosmetics it functions primarily as a preservative and denaturant, helping to prevent microbial growth and making products taste unpalatable. Unlike free salicylic acid, the neutralised salt form has significantly reduced exfoliating efficacy, though it retains notable anti-inflammatory and environmental protection properties.
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