Sodium Levulinate ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is primarily used as a preservative booster and antimicrobial support, helping formulas control microbial growth while also adding mild skin-conditioning and humectant benefits.
What does Sodium Levulinate do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is primarily used as a preservative booster and antimicrobial support, helping formulas control microbial growth while also adding mild skin-conditioning and humectant benefits.
Is Sodium Levulinate clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, it is generally well tolerated, not a common allergen, and has little restricted-list friction. Its main caveat is performance, since it usually supports a broader preservation system rather than serving as the sole preservative.
Is Sodium Levulinate sustainable?
This material is commonly made from plant-derived carbohydrate feedstocks such as sugar or cellulose streams. It is readily biodegradable and is not associated with persistence or bioaccumulation concerns in typical personal-care use.
Is Sodium Levulinate COSMOS-approved?
It is permitted under COSMOS natural and organic standards when made through compliant sourcing and processing. It aligns well with Green Chemistry principles because it can come from renewable feedstocks, uses simple salt chemistry, and has a favorable biodegradability profile.
How does Sodium Levulinate work chemically?
The molecule is a sodium carboxylate with a five-carbon chain and a ketone group, which gives it water solubility and pH-sensitive antimicrobial support. Typical use levels are often around 0.5% to 2%, with best preservation contribution in mildly acidic systems, commonly below about pH 5.5.
Last updated 2026-05-13