What it is
Sodium Benzoate is the salt of Benzoic Acid. It naturally occurs in teas and many fruits such as apples, plums, cranberries and prunes.
What it does
Sodium Benzoate is a preservative that prevents bacteria and fungi from growing in your beauty products.
In addition, it can also prevent metal materials used in cosmetic packaging from becoming rusty.
Side effects
Sodium Benzoate is safe on its own, but when used with Vitamin C, it can form benzene, which is carcinogenic. However, this refers to when this combination is taken orally in large doses. In cosmetics, Sodium Benzoate is used in minuscule concentrations and so it’s not clear whether topical application is dangerous too. More studies need to be done to establish that.
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good to know! i love your little ingredients posts, cause they always give me something i didn’t know!/Azure
Azure, I’m so glad you find them informative.
So if I drink peach tea or apple tea mixed with green tea, I’m actually doing myself a bad favor? Hmm, I don’t have to worry about my makeup mixing with any vitamin C because I just have blusher and a lippie on nowadays. I think there’s too much out there to worry about than benzene resulting from my cosmetics and skincare products.
Janessa, I agree that’s not really a concern for most people. So far, it seems that only large doses are dangerous and most people will never be exposed to those. But just in case, it wouldn’t hurt to avoid this combination.