The U.S. Food and Drug Administration considers sodium benzoate and benzoic acid to be safe at levels normally consumed by the general public. In this study, sodium benzoate appeared to attack the mitochondria of cells, damaging their ability to prevent oxygen leaks that create free radicals. In addition, products formulated with a pH of 3 or above are safer than those with a pH of 2 or less. Get full access to articles, and our skincare library including our ingredients database. Other sources include seafood and dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt. When combined with caffeine in Caffeine Sodium Benzoate, it can have a sunscreen effect, and provide UVB protection with antioxidant activity. According to a publication in the, International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health. The material appearing on LIVESTRONG.COM is for educational use only. In fact, sodium benzoate was the first preservative allowed by the FDA for use in food products. Synergetic ingredients:Works well with most ingredients. What Are Parabens – And Are They Bad For You? This inhibits the growth and survival of microorganisms that can cause products to spoil. In this study, sodium benzoate appeared to attack the mitochondria of cells, damaging their ability to prevent oxygen leaks that create free radicals. Processed food manufacturers often use additives to preserve flavor and freshness in products that are meant to be stored for long periods. Posts are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure disease. advertisements are served by third party advertising companies. Benzene is also found in second hand smoke. Benzoic acid was discovered in the sixteenth century. Scallop, Shrimp & Fish Fillet Processing Specialties. There are safe alternatives and we need to support and encourage their use. As a preservative, it prevents bacteria and fungi from developing in products and formulas and changing their compositions (Wikipedia). Free radicals are highly unstable, reactive species that can damage important cellular components, such as DNA, cell membranes, proteins, etc. Information published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says the agency detected benzene levels above 5 parts per billion in 10 soft drink and beverage products in 2005. So, for now, avoid products with benzoic acid and benzoates, especially when using vitamin C. Looking for the best skin care? Looking for the best skin care? "Although, genotoxicity tests for these ingredients were mostly negative, there were some assays that were positive. According to the International Programme on Chemical Safety, Sodium Benzoate is not a toxin or carcinogen on its own, and large amounts of this ingredient would have to be consumed, not applied topically, for adverse effects to be seen. At OZNaturals, we are proud to be able to say that our products are made with no harmful preservatives. high vitamin C; b.) Our Biopreserve Complex™ is a patent pending, natural preservative system developed by OZNaturals scientists which eliminates the need for traditional, harmful preservatives. LIVESTRONG is a registered trademark of the LIVESTRONG Foundation. The answer to this question is not a simple one. If you are confused about the safety of the sodium benzoate preservative when in contact with ascorbic acid (aka vitamin C) or citric acid, you are not alone. Phenoxyethanol, also called Ethylene Glycol Monophenyl Ether, is a preservative with antibacterial properties. "Benzene damages the bone marrow and can cause a decrease in red blood cells, leading to anemia. Without careful examination, this looks like a story worthy of the front page of The New York Times! Moreover, we do not select every advertiser or advertisement that appears on the web site-many of the At least, they are when combined with vitamin C. *sigh*. The answer is unclear. The problem with this additive isn’t the ingredient itself, but rather what it does when combined with certain other ingredients, specifically ascorbic acid, or vitamin C. As you may know, vitamin C is a common additive in skin care products today. Free shipping on all domestic orders over $49, The honest truth about beauty & personal care products. Sodium benzoate functions as a preservative in cosmetics and skincare products. Instead, I simply use concentrated vitamin C products, and I avoid sodium benzoate and benzoic acid together with vitamin C. Protect yourself and still maintain efficacy of vitamin C by using products with: a.) It is within this list that a product’s true integrity can be found, but what should you look for and what should you avoid? THE OWNER OF THEDERMREVIEW.COM HAS MATERIAL BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS WITH ADVANCED DERMATOLOGY AND FORMULYST, WHOSE PRODUCTS WE ALSO REVIEW AND RANK. You take care of your skin because you know that a little self-care now will serve you well into the future. The very best to choose from for your skin concerns. Processed food manufacturers often use additives to preserve flavor and freshness in products that are meant to be stored for long periods. There are a few alternatives that really are all natural, gentle and safe to use as preservatives in skin care products. If you mix sodium benzoate with vitamin C (and it happens that there are two types of C in Express The Truth - calcium ascorbate and sodium ascorbyl phosphate), benzene can form. It is FDA approved and has received the GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) rating, and the CIR found that doses used in cosmetics and personal care products were not high enough to cause potential reproductive and developmental effects. This is because there are ways of formulating products that can prevent this reaction from occurring. Your anti-aging regimen can't wait! Such is the case with vitamin C and sodium benzoate. Processed food manufacturers often use additives to preserve flavor and freshness in products that are meant to be stored for long periods. The answer is unclear. THIS SITE IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE USED AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR ADVICE OR TREATMENT FROM A QUALIFIED MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL. * A preservative Further studies will need to be completed to determine if sodium benzoate is a health hazard in this regard. Spend $25 USD more and get free shipping! * A preservative * Please read TIA's posts on What Is It: Sodium Benzoate and What Is It: Preservatives and Parabens and Are They Safe * Also known as E211 Functions: Sodium Benzoate is a salt of Benzoic Acid, found naturally in cranberries, prunes, plums, cinnamon, ripe cloves, and apples and used as a preservative in cosmetics and personal care product formulas as a fragrance ingredient, masking ingredient, anti-corrosive agent, and most frequently, as a preservative. discussed in their article sodium benzoate can be found in fruits and vegetables can be rich sources, particularly cranberries, prunes, plums, cinnamon, ripe cloves, and apples. Helpful how-tos and reviews from Marta and friends. TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DETAILS OF THESE RELATIONSHIPS AND HOW PRODUCTS ARE RANKED ON OUR SITE, PLEASE READ THE "FULL DISCLOSURE" AND "METHODOLOGY" SECTIONS. Inspiring thoughts and women who are aging gracefully. Soft drink manufacturers reformulated their products and follow up samples found benzene levels below 1.5 ppb, which is below the Environmental Protection Agency's maximum contaminant level of 5 ppb for drinking water. Two such ingredients that you should look for are sodium citrate and P anisic acid. Your body needs vitamin C for connective tissue synthesis and immune system function. However, that is not necessarily the case. Leaf Group Ltd. While phenoxyethanol is generally viewed as one of the gentler commonly used preservatives, there are some studies that show that the ingredient can actually be irritating and caustic to the skin, even causing blistering in some cases. Except for certain color additives, the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act states that cosmetic ingredients do not need FDA approval before landing on your bathroom countertop. 2020 Why? As a preservative, sodium benzoate prevents bacteria and fungi from growing in products. Aside from the problem with vitamin C, there is also some evidence that suggests sodium benzoate may damage cells on its own. Other sources include seafood and dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt. Benzene has been identified as a carcinogen or cancer-causing ingredient. In short, using a product with high concentrations of vitamin C should eliminate the vast majority of benzene formation. Vitamin C is found mostly in fruits and vegetables. As a result, some manufacturers are using benzoic acid and benzoates instead – and guess what. Overall, sodium benzoate … Databases are automatically flagging studies about parabens. Sodium benzoate is the sodium salt of Benzoic Acid used as a preservative, also in a wide range of cosmetic product types. Submitted via the FutureDerm.com Facebook page: Do vitamin C and sodium benzoate form a carcinogen? If the pH inside the cell falls to 5 or lower, the anaerobic fermentation of glucose through an enzyme called phosphofructokinase decreases sharply. Manufacturers that follow safe practices can effectively prevent benzene in their products. While the FDA keeps a close eye on the ingredients found in your cosmetics and skin care products, the agency does not have as much control over product safety as you might think. We each have a responsibility to protect our health by using our ability to influence manufacturers with our choices, and we each have the responsibility to not settle for inferior toxic ingredients. While the two components of sodium benzoate are present in naturally occurring sources, it is almost always synthetically produced. Some studies have shown that Sodium Benzoate itself can damage DNA by attacking the cells' mitochondria. Free radicals It is important to note that research is preliminary, and no human research has been conducted. Copyright © And despite the fact that I have never spoken to a dermatologist or cosmetic scientist who does not approve parabens for anyone who is non-allergic, the non-scientifically-trained public is demanding products without parabens. It is used in a wide variety of cosmetics and personal care products where it acts as a corrosion inhibitor, fragrance ingredient, and preservative. However, the chemical is still there, even in minuscule amounts, and it is being applied to your skin where it can easily be absorbed into your system. As Healthline discussed in their article sodium benzoate can be found in fruits and vegetables can be rich sources, particularly cranberries, prunes, plums, cinnamon, ripe cloves, and apples. While the two components of sodium benzoate are present in naturally occurring sources, it is almost always synthetically produced. , Of course, the first thing most of look for when choosing a skin care product is an ingredient list that is designed to target our unique skin care challenges.