Potassium Sorbate <ILN50937

TL;DR. This ingredient is a preservative, used mainly to control yeast and mold growth in water-based formulas. It is weaker against many bacteria, so it is often paired with broader-spectrum preservative systems.

What does Potassium Sorbate <ILN50937 do in a cosmetic formula?

This ingredient is a preservative, used mainly to control yeast and mold growth in water-based formulas. It is weaker against many bacteria, so it is often paired with broader-spectrum preservative systems.

Is Potassium Sorbate <ILN50937 clean?

From a clean beauty perspective, this ingredient is broadly accepted and generally well tolerated at normal cosmetic levels. Sensitivity is uncommon, though low-pH formulas can increase stinging potential for some users.

Is Potassium Sorbate <ILN50937 sustainable?

This material is typically made through synthetic chemical processing rather than direct plant extraction. It is readily biodegradable and does not raise major persistence or bioaccumulation concerns in rinse-off or leave-on use.

Is Potassium Sorbate <ILN50937 COSMOS-approved?

It is permitted under COSMOS-natural and COSMOS-organic standards as a nature-identical preservative, subject to formula conditions and allowed-use limits. Its Green Chemistry profile is strongest on biodegradability and low effective dose, and less ideal on renewable feedstock origin.

How does Potassium Sorbate <ILN50937 work chemically?

The molecule is an ionic salt built from an alkali-metal cation and a conjugated unsaturated carboxylate anion. Typical use levels are about 0.1 to 0.3%, with regulatory limits commonly up to 0.6% calculated as the acid, and preservation performance is strongest in acidic systems, especially below about pH 5.5.

Last updated 2026-05-13