Sodium Benzoate
What is it?
Sodium benzoate is a preservative in food, pharmaceutical, and personal care products to prolong shelf life.
How can I avoid it?
Skin contact with sodium benzoate is required for it to cause a rash. Discontinuation of exposure to products containing sodium benzoate should result in improvement and/or resolution of your dermatitis. By law, all products made in the U.S. for topical use have the ingredients listed either on the product package or the box that contains it, so check the labeling of your skin care products for this ingredient. If there is not enough information, ask your pharmacist or retailer, or contact the company directly. At work, request a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) to help identify potential sources of exposure.
Uses:
- Skin care products/Cosmetics
- Antiperspirants/Deodorants
- Hair sprays, gels, tonics, and lotions
- Soaps/Cleansers
- Shampoos/Conditioners
- Moisturizers
- Make-ups
- Powders/Sprays
- Pharmaceutical preservative
- Toothpastes/Mouthwash
- Silver polish
- Cough syrups
- Coolant in automobile engines
- Detergents
- Cleaning products
- Fireworks
- Animal foods
- Preservative in foods
- Carbonated drinks/Soft drinks
- Jams/Jellies
- Margarine
- Pickles
- Syrups
- Salad dressings
- Fruit juices
- Condiments
Other names for sodium benzoate:
- Benzoate of soda
- Sodium benzoic acid
- Sobenate
- Antimol
- AnE211 (food additive)
MC4999-34(Dec2024)
