Sodium Paraben

Product Description

Sodium Methylparaben is the highly water-soluble sodium salt of methylparaben, engineered to provide seamless antimicrobial protection in modern cosmetic manufacturing. Unlike standard parabens, this salt form dissolves instantly in cold water, eliminating the need for heating and significantly reducing production energy costs. It acts as a powerful broad-spectrum preservative, particularly effective against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. This ingredient is a commercial staple for formulators prioritizing manufacturing efficiency and long-term stability in high-water-content products, from clear gels to complex emulsions.

Product Specification

• INCI Name: Sodium Methylparaben
• CAS No.: 5026-62-6
• Chemical Name: Sodium Methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate
• Product Type: Water-Soluble Preservative
• Appearance: White, hygroscopic crystalline powder
• Purity (Assay): ≥ 99.0%
• Solubility: Highly soluble in water (approx. 1g/2ml)
• pH (0.1% aqueous solution): 9.5 – 10.5

Key Benefits & Applications

• Instant Cold-Water Solubility: Perfect for cold-process manufacturing, allowing for direct addition to the water phase without pre-dissolving in alcohols or glycols.
• Broad-Spectrum Bacteriostatic Activity: Provides essential protection against bacterial contamination, ensuring the safety and integrity of products throughout their shelf life.
• Cost-Effective Stability: High efficiency at low concentrations makes it one of the most economical preservative choices for large-scale B2B production.
• Formula Clarity: Maintains the crystal-clear appearance of aqueous products such as toners, micellar waters, and transparent hair gels.
• Applications: Widely used in shampoos, liquid soaps, facial cleansers, wet wipes, and all types of O/W skincare emulsions.

Formulation Guidelines

• Suggested Dosage: 0.1% – 0.3% (Maximum concentration limits vary by region; typically up to 0.4% calculated as acid).
• pH Stability: Performs best in formulations with a final pH between 4.0 and 8.5.
• Processing: Add directly to the water phase under stirring. As the salt is alkaline, ensure the final formulation pH is adjusted back to the target range to maintain stability.
• Precaution: Avoid extremely acidic environments (below pH 3.5), which may cause the methylparaben to precipitate out of the solution.
• Synergy: Combine with Sodium Propylparaben to create a complete, water-soluble preservative system that ensures 360° protection against both bacteria and tough-to-kill fungi.