The sodium salt of propionic acid, used as a preservative and listed in Annex V.
What it is
Sodium propionate is the sodium salt of propionic acid, a short-chain carboxylic acid; it is a white, water-soluble powder. CosIng lists it as a preservative. In the EU it is listed in Annex V (allowed preservatives).
Where it is used
Appears on the ingredient lists of a small number of products.
Limits of interpretation
The INCI list shows which ingredients are present, not how much of each. Above 1%, ingredients are listed in descending order of weight; below 1% the order is free.
See the EU regulation section for the applicable limits. The label does not show the concentration actually used.
Functions
- Preservative
- Exclusively or mainly intended to inhibit the development of micro-organisms in the cosmetic product. All authorised preservatives are substances in the positive list of Annex V to the Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009.
EU regulation
EU · Annex V, entry 2Propionic acid and its salts
- Maximum concentration
- 2% (acid)
- As of
- 3 November 2026 · (EC) 2009/1223