Sorbic acid on your skin: a safety profile

What is sorbic acid?

Also known as: (2E,4E)-hexa-2,4-dienoic acid, 2E,4E-Hexadienoic acid, Sorbistat, Panosorb.

CAS number

110-44-1

Molecular formula

C6H8O2

Molecular weight

112.13 g/mol

SMILES

CC=CC=CC(=O)O

PubChem CID

643460

Regulatory consensus

1 regulatory bodyhas classified Sorbic acid.

Regulators apply different standards of evidence — animal-data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds — which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. The disagreement is the data.

Where you encounter sorbic acid

• Food — cheese, wine, baked goods, dried fruit
• Personal Care — cosmetics, personal care products

Safer alternatives

Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Sorbic acid:

• Natamycin
  Trade-offs: Alternative preservation system; spectrum of antimicrobial activity differs (gram+/gram-, yeasts, molds); pH range of efficacy varies; challenge testing per ISO 11930 required for cosmetics.
  Relative cost: 1.2-2×
• Nisin
  Trade-offs: Alternative preservation system; spectrum of antimicrobial activity differs (gram+/gram-, yeasts, molds); pH range of efficacy varies; challenge testing per ISO 11930 required for cosmetics.
  Relative cost: 1.2-2×
• Citric acid pH control
  Trade-offs: Removes 95-99% of dissolved contaminants including metals, PFAS, nitrates; wastes 2-4 gallons per gallon produced (improving with newer systems); removes beneficial minerals; $0.05-0.25/gallon; requires pre-treatment for longevity.
  Relative cost: 1.2-2×

Frequently asked questions