Understanding the Banned 20: Benzoic Acid

What is Benzoic Acid and what are the dangers associated?

The Banned 20 has been created by the team at Sinensis to provide an insight into the 20 ingredients/compounds that we have completely eliminated from our skincare products.

Our clinical background and perseverance has demonstrated that it is possible to create skincare products that do not use potentially dangerous chemicals for your skin.

The third on our list is Benzoic Acid, a colourless, crystalline solid often used in food and cosmetic products as a preservative.

Although the chemical naturally occurs in many plants species such as cranberry, bilberry and apples, the compound is now synthetically produced in order to cater for the huge demand. In fact, it is reported that the global production of Benzoic Acid exceeds 480,000 tons per year.

It is no wonder there is such a global demand for the compound. The cosmetic industry relies on the antifungal agent to supress bacteria in products such moisturiser, shampoos, sunscreen, cleansers and lipsticks.

So how does Benzoic Acid affect your general health?

Despite Benzoic Acid’s popular demand, the hazards that come with it are not to be ignored. The Pub Chem database shows contact can cause; skin irritation, such as redness, burning and itching; serious eye damage and irritation; and damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure.

The hazards are a little unnerving, but thankfully there are alternative natural preservatives. Sorbic Acid, for example, is a natural organic compound used as a preservative and an ingredient we carefully chose to use in our skincare range.

We hope this has explained all of your unanswered questions, but if there’s something you’re still unsure about, then send over a tweet via @SinensisSkin. 

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