murphyPotassium Benzoate
AKA: 582-25-2, Benzoic acid, Potassium salt, INS NO.212, E--212
Synthetic
Preservative
Clean
OriginDerived from benzoic acid, a compound from the aromatic hydrocarbon family synthesized from petrochemical sources or toluene. Produced by neutralizing benzoic acid with potassium hydroxide through acid-base reaction to form the potassium salt.
See also: Benzoic Acid (broader); Sodium Benzoate (related).
Formula
C7H5KO2
Mol. Weight
160.21
CAS #
582-25-2
Form
Powder
State
Pellets or Large Crystals
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
Functions
Preservative
Keeps your product from growing bacteria, mold, or yeast. Without these, that jar of cream becomes a petri dish in about a week.
Preserves Formula
Prevents microbial growth
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewednone on file
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed2 reviews →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
EWG
1
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
Concentration Guide
Leave-on0.0003%
Rinse-off0.0002%
0%50%100%
Reg. limit 0.5%
CIR reported use · 2010 survey
EU regulatory limit: 0.5%. Source: EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009, Annex V (Preservatives), Entry 1a.
Regulatory Agencies
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR