Potassium sorbate in skincare
A salt of sorbic acid.
What is potassium sorbate?
A salt of sorbic acid. On the ingredient list, you can find the name Potassium Sorbate. The dictionary uses both the common name and the INCI name, so you can compare the explanation with the packaging.
What does potassium sorbate do for skin and the product?
Used in preservation systems, including against yeast and mould.
Preservation protects the product during storage and use. Water-containing formulations require an assessment of microbial safety. The overall system depends on factors including pH, packaging and other ingredients.
The overall system must protect the whole product. One substance is not always enough.
How to read the ingredient list
Look at the product's purpose and overall composition. Position on the list does not tell you the exact concentration used or how your skin will react. One substance can serve several purposes in the same product.
Questions about potassium sorbate
What does potassium sorbate do in skincare?
Used in preservation systems, including against yeast and mould.
What should I know about potassium sorbate?
The overall system must protect the whole product. One substance is not always enough.
Related ingredients
About sources and ingredient names
The European Commission's CosIng database is a reference for cosmetic ingredient names and functions. An entry does not constitute approval of all uses or evidence of a particular product effect.
DermNet: functions of moisturising care · DermNet: cosmetic formulations