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Sodium Anisate

What Sodium Anisate is & what it does

The salt form of anisic acid, a gentle, naturally derived preservative and deodorizing agent. It supports a mild, plant-based preservative system.

What does Sodium Anisate do in skincare?

Sodium Anisate is the sodium salt of anisic acid, a compound related to anise. In skincare it is used mainly as a preservative-boosting and conditioning agent that helps keep a formula fresh, often paired with sodium levulinate. It is popular in "natural" preservative systems as a milder alternative to some traditional preservatives.

Is Sodium Anisate safe?

Sodium Anisate is generally considered safe at the low levels used in cosmetics and is often chosen for gentle, naturally derived preservative blends. It is used to help protect products from microbial growth. As with any preservative, sensitive individuals should patch test a new product.

Is Sodium Anisate natural or synthetic?

Sodium Anisate can be derived from anisic acid that occurs naturally in plants such as anise and fennel, though it is typically produced and standardized for cosmetic use. It is commonly marketed as a nature-identical or naturally derived ingredient. The exact sourcing depends on the supplier.

Sunscreens with Sodium Anisate

We rate 42 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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