Potassium Sorbat ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is an antimicrobial preservative, mainly used to control yeast and mold in water-based formulas. It is most effective in acidic products, so it is often paired with broader-spectrum preservative support for bacteria.
What does Potassium Sorbat do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is an antimicrobial preservative, mainly used to control yeast and mold in water-based formulas. It is most effective in acidic products, so it is often paired with broader-spectrum preservative support for bacteria.
Is Potassium Sorbat clean?
Clean-beauty standards generally view it as an accepted, low-sensitization preservative when used within regulatory limits. The main formulation caveat is pH, since performance drops as formulas become less acidic.
Is Potassium Sorbat sustainable?
This material is typically made through conventional chemical synthesis rather than direct botanical extraction. It is water-soluble and readily biodegradable, with low concern for environmental persistence at cosmetic use levels.
Is Potassium Sorbat COSMOS-approved?
It is permitted under COSMOS-natural and COSMOS-organic standards as an approved preservative, although it does not count as an organic agricultural ingredient. Its profile fits Green Chemistry reasonably well because it is effective at low levels, readily biodegradable, and does not require persistent chemistry.
How does Potassium Sorbat work chemically?
The molecule is the potassium salt of an unsaturated six-carbon carboxylic acid, and its preservative effect depends on the acid form being present in the formula. Typical use is about 0.1% to 0.3%, with best performance below pH 5.5 and reduced activity as pH rises.
Last updated 2026-05-13