Ingredient dictionary

Sodium Benzoate

Sodium benzoate is the sodium salt of benzoic acid, a water-soluble powder used mainly as a preservative to help keep water-based products free of mold and bacteria. It is on the label of 372 products in our library. Checked against our library November 6, 2026.

The catch: none for most people; check the full product list if your skin reacts easily.

What Sodium Benzoate does

Helps stop mold and bacteria growth
Works best in mildly acidic formulas
Dissolves easily in water

Sodium benzoate is made by combining benzoic acid with a sodium base, such as sodium hydroxide. Benzoic acid occurs naturally in some fruits and berries, so the ingredient has a long history in food and personal care. Its salt form dissolves easily in water, which makes it simple to add to shampoos, body washes and other water-based formulas.

Formulators use it because water-based products can grow microbes, especially after the bottle is opened and used again and again. Sodium benzoate works best in products on the acidic side, and it is often paired with other preservatives for broader protection. It has little feel of its own, so it does not change how a shampoo or body wash spreads or rinses.

Good for

Suits water-based products, especially rinse-off items such as shampoo, conditioner, body wash and cleansers.

Be careful if

Nothing in particular for most skin types.

Frequently asked questions

Is sodium benzoate safe in shampoo?

It is widely used in shampoos and other rinse-off products and is generally considered well tolerated. As with any ingredient, a small number of people may react to it, so patch testing a new product is a sensible habit.

Why do shampoos need a preservative?

Shampoos and body washes are mostly water and sit in warm, damp bathrooms, which suits microbes. Each time the bottle is opened, new germs can get in. A preservative helps keep the product stable from the first use to the last.