Sodium dehydroacetate is a preservative that is used in the formulation of cosmetics and skin care products. Preservatives are an important part of the formulation process. They help keep your product from being contaminated by bacteria and mold, and extend its shelf life and safety.
Preservatives have gotten a bad rap in the beauty industry lately. This reputation is mostly undeserved, without Preservatives Products would only take weeks and could cause irritation, sensitivity, and infection if not included in the formula.
the breakdown
Sodium dehydroacetate
the good:Sodium dehydroacetate is a preservative that prevents the growth of bacteria and fungi. This helps to improve the safety of the product and increase its shelf life.
not so good:There is nothing to keep track of here.
For whom is that? All skin types except those identified as having an allergy.
Synergetic ingredients:Works well with most ingredients
Keep an eye on:You can also find sodium dehydroacteate in foods and beverages.
Why is sodium dehydroacetate used?
Sodium dehydroacetate is the sodium salt of dehydroacetic acid, a fungicide and bactericide commonly used as a food preservative. Fungicides can kill fungi or their spores, while bactericides can destroy bacteria. This means that sodium dehydroacetate can prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi in your products.
Dehydroacetic acid, a related ingredient, is an effective preservative but is almost insoluble in water. This limits its use in cosmetic formulations as many of these types of products are water based. For this reason, sodium dehydroacetate is used because it is more soluble in water.
In addition to being used in the cosmetics industry, sodium dehydroacetate can be used as a food preservative. It is used extensively in sauce, fruit, bread, cake, moon cake, margarine, and beverages. Sodium dehydroacetate has the E number E266. It is a white crystalline powder with no odor.
What Are the Benefits of Sodium Hydroactetate?
Sodium dehydroacetate acts as an antimicrobial preservative in cosmetics and skin care products.
It is used in a wide variety of products including bath products, skin care products, sunscreens, fragrances, shaving products, hair and nail care products, and eye and face makeup.
Sodium dehydroacetate is an effective antimicrobial ingredient, even in low concentrations of less than and equal to 0.6%, against bacteria and fungi.
The usage of Preservatives in cosmetics is important because these types of products have high potential for microbial contamination and growth. The most vulnerable products are creams and lotions, which are packaged in jars, opened frequently and applied to the skin with the fingers.
Accidental contamination can also occur after using makeup brushes around the eyes or other parts of the face that repeatedly touch the skin and cosmetic. Each use increases the likelihood of contamination. In addition, contamination can occur if you leave a product container open for a long time.
The way you store your products is also a major cause of this microbial contamination in cosmetics and skin care products. Most products are stored at room temperature. The warm temperature can stimulate the growth of microorganisms and promote the growth of bacteria, yeast, mold and fungus. In addition, the ingredients used in cosmetic formulations such as water, oils, peptides and carbohydrates create the perfect environment for microorganisms to grow.
Microbial contamination can lead to significant health problems, from skin irritation to infection. To avoid these problems, a strong but non-irritating preservative must be added to the formulation of a product. Sodium dehydroacetate fulfills both criteria. The use of sodium dehydroacetate in cosmetic formulations ensures that the product will perform effectively over the time it takes to complete the product.
Is Sodium Dehydroacetate Vegan?
Sodium dehydroacetate is a vegan ingredient. However, it’s always best to check that the other ingredients in the product are vegan as well. Be sure to check the brand cruelty free Accreditation too.
Is Sodium Dehydoroacetate Safe?
The security of Sodium dehydroacetate was rated by the Panel of Experts for the Review of Cosmetic Ingredients, a group responsible for the independent evaluation of skin care and cosmetic ingredients.
The available data suggest that sodium dehydroacetate is non-irritating, non-sensitizing, non-photosensitizing and non-phototoxic. After evaluating the scientific data, the panel of experts concluded that sodium dehydroacetate as a cosmetic ingredient is safe in current use and concentration practices.
References:
CIR, 1985. “Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Sodium Dehydoacetate and Dehydroacetic Acid,” International Journal of Toxicology, vol. 4, No. 3.
