Sodium Formate
AKA “141-53-7, Formic acid, sodium salt, Salachlor, sodium salt (1:1), Mravencan sodny, FORMIC ACID, NA SALT, Sodium formate, refined, Formic acid sodium salt (1:1), 387AD98770”
Preservative
Ingredient Facts
Sodium formate
AKA: 141-53-7, Formic acid, Sodium salt, Salachlor, Sodium salt (1:1), Mravencan sodny, FORMIC ACID, NA SALT, Refined, Formic acid sodium salt (1:1), 387AD98770
Preservative · Preservative · EWG: 1
Synthetic
Preservative
Clean
The CIR Expert Panel concluded that formic acid and sodium formate are safe in the present practices of use and concentration in cosmetics, as described in this safety assessment, when formulated to be non-irritating.
Solubility SLIGHTLY SOLUBLE IN ALCOHOL, INSOL IN ETHER
Formula
CHNaO2
Mol. Weight
68.01
CAS #
141-53-7
Form
Powder
State
Other Solid; Liquid; Dry Powder; Dry Powder, Liquid; Pellets or Large Crystals
See origin →
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
Antioxidant Protection
Locks In Moisture
Prevents microbial growth
Traditional Use
Synthesized as a modern preservative and buffering agent in the 20th century. Used in cosmetics to maintain product stability and control pH without the traditional need for natural preservatives.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
EWG
1
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not an Irritant
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Concentration Guide
0.5%
0%1%
Reg. Limit
EU regulatory limit: 0.5%. Source: EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009, Annex V (Preservatives), Entry 14.
Regulatory Agencies
Effects of Sodium Salts of Fatty Acids and Their Derivatives on Skin Permeation of Cromolyn Sodium.
Akinbote OE, Verana G, Dandekar AA, Tijani AO, Mishra D et al.
AAPS PharmSciTech, 2023
Effects of Sodium Salts of Fatty Acids and Their Derivatives on Skin Permeation of Cromolyn Sodium.
Akinbote OE, Verana G, Dandekar AA, Tijani AO, Mishra D et al.
AAPS PharmSciTech, 2023
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Formic Acid
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Safety Assessment of Formic Acid and Sodium Formate as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Formic Acid
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Sodium Formate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Sodium Formate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
SODIUM SALT
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Coal tars crude and refined
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Safety Assessment of Formic Acid and Sodium Formate as Used in Cosmetics.
Johnson W Jr, Heldreth B, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Hill RA et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2016
Safety Assessment of Formic Acid and Sodium Formate as Used in Cosmetics.
Johnson W Jr, Heldreth B, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Hill RA et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2016
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR