Ingredient
Potassium Benzoate
Potassium salt of benzoic acid
E212
What it is
A salt of benzoic acid used as a gentle preservative to protect products from mould, yeast and bacteria.
How it works
In slightly acidic formulas it converts to benzoic acid, which enters microbial cells and disrupts their energy metabolism to prevent spoilage.
What it does
Preservative
Concerns to know
-
Well tolerated
No significant safety concern is reported for this ingredient as used in cosmetics.