Potassium Sorbate (Cosmetic Preservative) - Essentially Natural

R29.00

4 in stock — ready to ship.

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INCI: Potassium sorbate

Essentially Natural Potassium Sorbate is a preservative ingredient commonly used in DIY water-based cosmetics. It is effective against mould and yeast and is often paired with sodium benzoate for broader preservation support. Potassium sorbate is activated in water and works best in acidic formulas. This ingredient is used at low percentages and is added to the water phase of suitable formulations.

Interesting reading: Quick Guide To Preservatives

This product is certified: Vegan, Food Safe, and Beauty Without Cruelty.

Need detailed info? COAs and SDSs are available — just send us the product name and batch number, and we’ll gladly share them with you.

Key properties

Ingredient Name: Potassium sorbate
Form: Powder
Typical Usage Rate: 0.1 to 0.3%
Best Efficacy pH: Around 4.4
pH Limits: Not effective above pH 6
Application: Water phase preservative support
Size Options: 50g, 100g, 250g, 500g, 1kg or 5kg

What it’s used for

This product is commonly used to:

Help preserve creams, lotions, shampoos, and water-based cosmetics
Support protection against mould and yeast in DIY formulas
Pair with sodium benzoate for broader preservation coverage
Add to the water phase of emulsions, gels, and cleansers

Who it’s for

This product is suitable for:

DIY formulators making water-based products that need preservation
Makers who understand pH adjustment and preservative systems
Formulators looking for a low-use-rate preservative ingredient

This product is not for:

Oil-only products with no water phase
Formulas that cannot be adjusted into an acidic pH range
Anyone looking for a finished preservative-free product

How to use

As a Water Phase Preservative: Dissolve in the water phase at 0.1 to 0.3% and mix until clear.
As a Combined System: Use with sodium benzoate for broader protection.
Processing Tip: Adjust the final pH to around 4.4 for best efficacy and confirm with a pH test.

Safety instructions

Patch test finished products before use, some people may be sensitive.
Avoid inhaling powder and avoid contact with eyes.
Keep well sealed and store away from moisture, sunlight, and heat.
Keep out of reach of children and pets.
If pregnant or breastfeeding, seek professional guidance before use.

Faqs

Q: Can I use potassium sorbate alone as my preservative?
A: It is mainly effective against mould and yeast, many formulas use it together with another preservative to broaden protection.

Q: Why does pH matter so much?
A: Potassium sorbate is most effective in acidic formulas and becomes much less effective at higher pH.

Q: Can I use it in soap?
A: It is generally not suitable for high pH products like true soap.

Our range of preservatives are all suitable for natural and organic formulations, are paraben free and are easy to use. Correctly preserving your products is vital; read more here: Quick Guide To Preservatives

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Satisfied Customer

The products do what it needs to do. I am very happy with purchases.

Ideal product for our preservative needs

Ideal product for our preservative needs, works well for our confectionery goods.

Potassium Sorbate

Thank you for another top quality product. Its effective and easy to work with. I appreciate the gift that comes in the package.

Perfect

Works very well and received it very very faster than expected

Amazing product

Works so well! Zero taste or smell, and keeps products protected from mold growth. Will continue ordering from your company! Delivery was extremely quick too!

Ex̌cellent product

Excellent product am over moon

Great Quality

The product is exactly what I have expected; it works well in preserving my products, and your delivery is very quick.

Exactly what the dr ordered..... Oops (sangoma)

Exactly what I ordered and the presentation is neat and professional too. Thank you

Finally found a supplier after months of running around

I am so impressed with neat packaging and the product itself is fresh. I'm using it in sauces so therefore I'm very happy with the product. Thank you for the great n efficient service as well as the little gift...I felt so special.

Can't complain about anything you guys are selling good quality staff here bought few and am happy

Wonderful

Good quality and efficient delivery.

Question

Hi not a review but question, what is the exact amount of potassium sorbate to water and then how much solution is added to a litre of sauce, eg homemade preserve?

Hi Rob, there are some basic usage instruction s on the product page if you scroll down :)
But these may vary depending on the product so it's best to find out what others are doing, and also experiment a bit to get the best results

Great product

Easy to order, quick delivery. Highly recommend you guys

Great Service

Thank you for a quick delivery. Very happy with the service I received

Best Preservative

These are the best ever, thank you

Great Product

I managed to find baking products on Essentially naturals webite that I could not find anywhere else. Delvery was prompt and products is of high quality.

Great service and excellent products

I am very happy with service and product I ordered

Not a review but a question. Can I use this to preserve food? Like gummies,etc

Hi, yes you can use it to preserve foods. It is sometimes also used together with sodium benzoate and citric acid (acidity regulator).

The quantities needed will depend on the thing being preserved, so you may need to do a little research into how much is used for the particular food you wish to preserve.

Experiment

I am in the process of trying to make my own balbini gell ... still researching recipes and methods.... we have a lot of balbinella on the farm

First order

Thank you so much! smooth order and receipt process with regular progress love the efficiency thank you

I need this product for my soap making project

Great product

I have been looking for this product for months now and thanks to Naturally Essential, I am glad to have bought this product. The store should definitely continue stocking it.

Easy to use

Hie do you sell these products in your shop 1.sodium Benzoate,2.potassium sorbate,3.citric acid,4.orange bring,5.flavours/oil,6.colours

Essentially Natural

Hi there Wadzanai,

Thanks for reaching out :)

Here is a quick run down of what we house:
- Sodium benzoate – Yes, we stock this
- Potassium sorbate – Yes, we stock this
- Citric acid – Yes, we stock this (both monohydrate and anhydrous)
- Orange bring – We're not too sure what you mean here, but we do house Orange Sweet Peel
- Flavours / oils – We don’t stock flavour oils specifically. However, we do stock a wide range of essential oils and carrier oils, which are commonly used in cosmetic formulations (not food flavouring).
- Colours – Yes, we stock several natural colourant options, like clays, micas and botanical-based colourants.

You are free to order them on our site or let us know what you're interested in, and their volumes, and we'll set up a quote for you.

I hope that helps, please do reach out if you have any further queries.

Kindest regards,
Aiden