Comparing E211 - Sodium benzoate vs E422 - Glycerol
Overview
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Found in 16,173 products
Found in 12,762 products
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Interest over time for 2 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Interest over time for 5 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Popular questions
Is sodium benzoate bad for you?
Generally no—it's an approved preservative with an acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 0–5 mg/kg body weight, and typical intakes are well below this. Rare sensitivities (e.g., hives/asthma-like symptoms) can occur, and in vitamin C–containing drinks exposed to heat/light it can form trace benzene, which manufacturers work to minimize.
Is sodium benzoate safe?
Yes—it's authorized by regulators (e.g., FDA, EFSA, JECFA) with an ADI of 0–5 mg/kg body weight and is GRAS in foods up to 0.1%. Those with sensitivities may wish to limit it, and beverages containing both sodium benzoate and ascorbic acid should be protected from heat/light to prevent benzene formation.
Is sodium benzoate safe for skin?
Yes—it's widely used as a cosmetic preservative at low concentrations and is considered safe by regulatory and review bodies. It may occasionally cause mild irritation or sensitization, especially on very sensitive or damaged skin.
Is sodium benzoate bad for hair?
No—at the low levels used to preserve shampoos and conditioners it does not damage hair fibers. As with many preservatives, higher concentrations can irritate the scalp, but consumer products use small amounts.
Is sodium benzoate harmful?
Not at permitted food and cosmetic levels; safety limits (e.g., ADI 0–5 mg/kg body weight) are set to prevent harm. Main concerns are rare intolerance reactions and trace benzene formation in vitamin C–containing drinks under heat/light, which industry monitors and minimizes.
What is vegetable glycerin?
Vegetable glycerin is glycerol (E422) derived from plant oils (e.g., soybean, palm, coconut); it’s chemically identical to other glycerin and commonly used as a humectant and sweetener.
Is glycerin bad for you?
Generally no—at typical food and cosmetic levels it’s considered safe (FDA GRAS; EFSA found no safety concern at reported uses); large amounts may cause bloating, diarrhea, or thirst.
Is glycerin good for your skin?
Yes—glycerin is a humectant that draws and holds water in the outer skin layers, helping hydration and barrier function; very high, undiluted use can feel sticky or occasionally irritate.
What is glycerin used for?
In foods it works as a humectant, mild sweetener, thickener, and solvent/carrier for flavors and colors to keep products moist and stable; it’s also used in pharmaceuticals and personal care as a moisturizer, solvent, and plasticizer.
What is glycerin made of?
It’s most often produced by hydrolysis, saponification, or transesterification of natural triglycerides from plant or animal fats; it can also be made by microbial fermentation of sugars or synthetically from petrochemical routes.