Is the potassium sorbate in cosmetics bad for your skin?

What is potassium sorbate?

Sorbate K is short for "potassium sorbate." It is a preservative used in skin care, makeup, and body care products. It is also used as a food preservative.

Sorbic acid is a naturally occurring compound found in the fruit of the rowan tree (Sorbus aucuparia), but most sorbic acid used commercially is produced synthetically.

However, just because they are synthetic doesn't mean they're bad. Even synthetic products have the same functions and structures as natural ingredients.

In this age of natural and organic products, synthetic ingredients are often seen as bad. However, synthetic manufacturing does not deplete natural resources. Another way of looking at it is that it is a sustainable choice when it comes to the environment.

Of course, just because it is a synthetic ingredient does not mean it is absolutely safe. It is important to judge each ingredient separately.

The role of potassium sorbate as a cosmetic ingredient

Potassium sorbate prevents the growth of bacteria, fungi, and mold. However, it is not very effective against bacteria. Therefore, it is used in combination with other preservatives. In Europe and the United States, it is sometimes used as a substitute for parabens .

Cosmetics are often used near water, such as in bathrooms and sinks. They also often come into contact with hands and air, so it is important that they have an appropriate preservative effect.

Using spoiled cosmetics can cause skin irritation, infections and other serious skin problems, especially if the products used around the eyes are contaminated with microorganisms, which can lead to serious complications.
Although preservatives are often disliked, it is true that they play an important role.

We also mentioned at the beginning that potassium sorbate is also a food preservative. It is used in many foods, including cheese, wine, yogurt, processed meats, soft drinks, and baked goods, to inhibit the growth of mold and yeast.

Safety of potassium sorbate

How safe is potassium sorbate when used in cosmetics?

The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR), an organization that specializes in the safety evaluation of cosmetic ingredients, has determined that potassium sorbate is safe for use in cosmetics. It has been concluded that even at a concentration of 10%, potassium sorbate does not irritate the eyes and only causes slight skin irritation.

In Japan, there are restrictions on the amount of potassium sorbate that can be used in cosmetics. Cosmetics are only permitted to contain up to 0.5% of the compound. Given that a 10% concentration causes only slight skin irritation, it is unlikely that cosmetics containing potassium sorbate will cause skin problems.

However, another 2021 study suggests that the risks of potassium sorbate may be underestimated. This study examined the safety of potassium sorbate and sorbic acid.
The subjects were 17 patients who had developed allergic contact dermatitis from topical products containing these substances. Patch tests were conducted with sorbic acid and potassium sorbate at various concentrations. The results showed that patients who were skin sensitized to sorbic acid tended to have a positive reaction to potassium sorbate.

No ingredient can be 100% safe for everyone to use.
It's also important to have your own standards in mind, such as your skin condition, ingredients you want to avoid, and the impact on the earth.