Ingredient Directory
Low ConcernVegan

Sodium Levulinate

Sodium 4-oxopentanoate

Safety Flags
Allergen: None identified in source checked
Safety Notes

Often used in natural preservation systems, commonly with Sodium Anisate. It should not be treated as a complete preservative without PET.

Function & Common Use

Function

Skin conditioning / Preservative booster

Category

Preservative Booster

Common In

Natural positioned products, cleansers, moisturisers, baby care formulas

Origin

Plant derived or synthetic

Concentration Limits

India (CDSCO)

No limit verified

EU Cosmetics Reg.

No cosmetic maximum identified in source checked

US FDA (21 CFR)

No limit verified

Korea (MFDS)

No limit verified

Format restriction: Both; pH dependent preservation support

Baby restriction: Requires PET and finished product mildness testing

Pregnancy: No specific restriction identified; assess full formula

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sodium Levulinate safe to use in skincare?

Sodium Levulinate has a Low concern rating from The Clean Sheet. Often used in natural preservation systems, commonly with Sodium Anisate. It should not be treated as a complete preservative without PET.

Is Sodium Levulinate allowed in India?

Sodium Levulinate is currently classified as "Not specifically restricted in source checked" under Indian cosmetics regulations. The maximum permitted concentration is No limit verified.

What is Sodium Levulinate used for in cosmetics?

Sodium Levulinate functions as: Skin conditioning / Preservative booster. It is commonly found in: Natural positioned products, cleansers, moisturisers, baby care formulas.

Can Sodium Levulinate cause an allergic reaction?

Yes. Sodium Levulinate has an allergen flag (None identified in source checked). If you have sensitive skin or known fragrance/contact allergies, patch-test products containing this ingredient before full use.

Is Sodium Levulinate safe for babies?

Sodium Levulinate has baby/child restrictions: Requires PET and finished product mildness testing. Avoid using products containing this ingredient on infants unless specifically formulated and labelled for baby use.

TCS Assessment
Low Concern
Data Confidence
Medium
Based on peer-reviewed safety data, regulatory status, and expert review by The Clean Sheet panel.

Regulatory Status

India (CDSCO)
Not specifically restricted in source checked
EU
No Annex restriction identified in source checked
US FDA
No specific cosmetic restriction identified in source checked
Korea (MFDS)
Not specifically restricted in source checked
Australia (TGA)
Cosmetic preservative support ingredient; no TGA relevance
Canada (NHPID)
Not verified in NHPID source checked

EU Annex: Not identified

Identifiers

CAS19856-23-6
EC243-382-7

Want to check if your product contains Sodium Levulinate?

Analyse a Product

More Preservative Booster Ingredients

WhatsApp Community

Join The Clean Sheet™ community

Science-backed beauty tips, ingredient alerts, and early access. Straight to your WhatsApp.

Join for free →