3 ingredients
Preservative
Explore all 3 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 →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.
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