Potassium Sorbate[2] ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is primarily used as a preservative, especially against yeast and mold in water-based products. It is most effective in acidic formulas, so it is common in creams, lotions, shampoos, and other products with a lower pH.
What does Potassium Sorbate[2] do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is primarily used as a preservative, especially against yeast and mold in water-based products. It is most effective in acidic formulas, so it is common in creams, lotions, shampoos, and other products with a lower pH.
Is Potassium Sorbate[2] clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, this ingredient is broadly accepted and has a long record of use at low levels. It can be mildly irritating for some people at higher concentrations or in leave-on acidic formulas, but it is not a major restricted-list concern.
Is Potassium Sorbate[2] sustainable?
This material is typically made through synthetic chemical processing rather than direct agricultural extraction. It is water-soluble, readily biodegradable, and not known for environmental persistence or bioaccumulation.
Is Potassium Sorbate[2] COSMOS-approved?
It is permitted under COSMOS-natural and COSMOS-organic standards as one of the allowed preservative options, subject to standard formula and concentration rules. Its Green Chemistry profile is strongest on biodegradability and low use level, and weaker on renewable feedstock sourcing.
How does Potassium Sorbate[2] work chemically?
This compound is a potassium salt of an unsaturated six-carbon carboxylate, with antimicrobial activity that depends on the acid form being present in the formula. Typical use levels are about 0.1% to 0.3%, and performance drops as pH rises above roughly 5.5 to 6.
Last updated 2026-05-13