Sodium benzoate in cosmetics: the 2.5%, 1.7% and 0.5% EU limits
In the EU, benzoic acid and sodium benzoate are capped — as acid — at 2.5% in rinse-off, 1.7% in oral products and 0.5% in leave-on cosmetics (Annex V No 1). The US has no federal limit.
Short answer: in the EU, benzoic acid and sodium benzoate are limited as acid to 2.5% in rinse-off products, 1.7% in oral products and 0.5% in leave-on products (Regulation 1223/2009, Annex V No 1, consolidated 18.05.2026). The US sets no federal limit.
The numbers
| Product type | EU limit (as acid) | US |
|---|---|---|
| Rinse-off (shampoo, body wash, cleanser) | 2.5% | No federal limit |
| Oral products (toothpaste, mouthwash) | 1.7% | No federal limit |
| Leave-on (cream, lotion, serum) | 0.5% | No federal limit |
The conversion catches people: sodium benzoate is the salt, and the limits apply to the acid equivalent. Sodium benzoate has a higher molecular weight than benzoic acid, so a 0.6% sodium benzoate concentration is roughly 0.5% as acid — right at the leave-on cap, not over it. Do the molar conversion before you compare.
US vs EU
The US has no federal concentration ceiling for sodium benzoate in cosmetics, and the FDA's prohibited-restricted list does not name it. The EU leave-on cap of 0.5% (as acid) is the number that binds for creams and serums; oral and rinse-off products get more headroom.
Common mistakes
- Reading the 2.5% rinse-off number onto a face cream. The leave-on cap is five times lower.
- Comparing sodium benzoate mass percentage directly against the limits instead of converting to acid equivalent.
- Combining benzoic acid preservative with other acidified systems (for example, benzoic acid in a fragrance) without totting up the total acid.
- Assuming "natural preservative system" products are exempt. The entry applies to the substance, whatever the marketing says.
Do this now
Find the sodium benzoate line in your formula, convert it to benzoic acid equivalent, and compare against the cap for your product type. Leave-on: 0.5% as acid.
FAQ
What is the EU limit for sodium benzoate?
As acid: 2.5% in rinse-off products, 1.7% in oral products and 0.5% in leave-on products (Annex V No 1).
Why convert to benzoic acid equivalent?
The limits apply to the acid, and sodium benzoate has a higher molecular weight — a 0.6% sodium benzoate concentration is roughly 0.5% as acid.
Is sodium benzoate limited in the US?
There is no federal concentration limit for cosmetics in the US.
Sources
- Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, Annex V No 1 — consolidated text 18.05.2026
- FDA, prohibited & restricted ingredients in cosmetics — fda.gov
- 21 CFR 701.3, ingredient designation — eCFR, issue 2026-11-06
Last verified: 2026-11-10.
Not legal advice, and not a guarantee of compliance or of acceptance by any authority.
Want this checked against your own formula? Run the free label check. It converts benzoate salts to acid equivalents and applies the right cap per product type. It returns an issue list, not a print-ready label.
Related: Paraben limits in the EU · MIT is rinse-off only in the EU