Sodium Dehydroacetate

Sodium dehydroacetate is a water-soluble, pH-dependent preservative derived from dehydroacetic acid for cosmetic products. It's used to control microbial contamination in formulas and maintain product integrity over time.
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Ingredient Snapshot

Overview
A preservative that helps control microbial growth in products.
Category
Preservative
Type
Preservative

Ingredient Ratings

Overall Rating

Good

Comedogenic Risk

None

Skin Benefits

It helps products stay fresher for longer by reducing the growth of spoilage organisms, and supports consistent performance across the product's shelf life.

Uses In Skincare & Cosmetics

It's commonly included in moisturizers, cleansers, shampoos, and toners as the preservation system, and used in masks and serums to safeguard water-rich formulas.

Comedogenic Rating

This ingredient is not typically evaluated for comedogenicity, and no standardized rating is available.

Safety

It's generally well tolerated, though preservatives may cause mild irritation for very sensitive skin. In the EU, dehydroacetic acid and its salts are restricted to a maximum of 0.6% as preservatives. Patch testing is prudent for reactive skin types.

Is Sodium Dehydroacetate a Good Ingredient?

It rates Good as an effective, water-soluble preservative with consistent performance in mildly acidic formulas. It's widely used with a low rate of sensitization, which supports its reliability, though it isn't the single strongest option available.

Products with Sodium Dehydroacetate

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