Ingredient Dictionary

SODIUM FORMATE

Sodium formate is an organic sodium salt which is the monosodium salt of formic acid.

Korean limit: 0.5%

SODIUM FORMATE Molecular structure — Molecular structure

How much products actually contain

No product states its amount yet.

Of the products containing it, 2 list it before the 1% line and 17 after it (usually 1% or less).

Products using this ingredient

12 of 19 confirmed · likeliest to carry enough first · See all 19

Definition

Sodium formate is an organic sodium salt which is the monosodium salt of formic acid. It has a role as a buffer and an astringent. It contains a formate.

Source: PubChem

US FDA substance register · UNII 387AD98770 · registered name SODIUM FORMATE · single chemical substance

Source: US FDA Unique Ingredient Identifier (UNII)

Sodium Formate is the organic salt that conforms to the formula:

Cosmetic roles

Stops microbes growing in the productPRESERVATIVE

Safety & regulatory references

Restricted: China · South Korea

Source: MFDS (Korea) cosmetic regulatory information

Argentina · Brazil

Maximum concentration permitted at final product : 0.5% (expressed as acid)

ASEAN

Maximum authorised concentration in the finished cosmetic product : 0.5% (expressed as acid)

Taiwan

0.5%

European Union

Maximum concentration in ready for use preparation : 0.5% (as acid)

Source: MFDS (Korea) cosmetic regulatory information

Not classified under Korea’s toxic-substance GHS list · existing chemical substance

Source: Korea toxic substances GHS register (NIER)

Restriction V/14 · Other restriction: ban substances that deplete the ozone layer

Source: EU CosIng ingredient list

Reviewed by CIR: Safety Assessment of Formic Acid and Sodium Formate as Used in Cosmetics

Source: US Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)

More data — names, identifiers, properties, test records, literature

Official labels & definitions

JCIA labelling name ギ酸Ｎａ: 本品は、次の化学式で表される有機化合物である。

Source: JCIA labelling names (Japan)

Names & identifiers

SODIUM FORMATEINCI소듐포메이트Korean label name (MFDS standard)Formic acid, sodium saltSynonymギ酸ＮａJapanese labelling name

CAS No.chemical registry number: 141-53-7
EC No.EU chemical inventory number: 205-488-0
DTXSIDUS EPA chemical ID: DTXSID2027090
DTXCIDUS EPA compound ID: DTXCID407090

IUPAC: Sodium formate
Molecular formula: CHNaO2
Molecular weight: 68.007 g/mol

Measured properties

Appearance: Dry Powder, CBI, Large Crystals, Liquid · White deliquescent solid, [Merck Index] White powder, [MSDSonline]
Boiling point: BOILING POINT: DECOMPOSES, DELIQUESCENT
Melting point: 253 °C · 257 °C
Solubility: SLIGHTLY SOLUBLE IN ALCOHOL, INSOL IN ETHER · SOLUBLE IN GLYCEROL
Density: 1.92 @ 20 °C · 1.9 g/cm³
pH: 7
Initial boiling point and range: 253 ℃
Vapour pressure: 0.0000000753 ㎜Hg (at 25C (est.))
Water solubility: (97% at 20C)
Relative density: 1.919 ()
n-Octanol/water partition coefficient (Kow): -4.27 ((est.))
Decomposition temperature: 253 ℃
Molecular weight: 68.01

Values measured on the substance itself. The KOSHA data are a reference for writing and reviewing safety data sheets, not a specification for a commercial raw material.

Source: PubChem · KOSHA safety data sheets (Korea)

What products actually use it for

What the 110 products reported to the US EPA with this ingredient use it for. Products outside cosmetics are included, so the top few rows are its main uses.

Processing aids not otherwise specified76
Stabilizing agent18
Bleaching agent4
Preservative3
Anti-freeze agent2
Chemical reaction regulator1
pH regulating agent1
Sizing agent1

4 other uses

Chelating agent1
Corrosion inhibitor1
Intermediate1
Catalyst1

Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard

Irritation and sensitisation studies

2 skin studies and 1 eye studies are on record.

Classed as low2

The study conclusions largely agree (100%). These tests are on the raw material itself; irritation at the amount in a finished product is a different question.

See all 3 studies

Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
skin irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 404 (Acute Dermal Irritation / Corrosion) according to
Not likely to be sensitizing
skin sensitisation: in vivo (non-LLNA) · Screening · according to OECD Guideline 406 (Skin Sensitisation)
Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
eye irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 405 (Acute Eye Irritation / Corrosion) 1987 according to EU Method B.5 (Acute Toxicity: Eye Irritation / Corrosion) according to