SODIUM DEHYDROACETATE

EU max concentration: 0.6% (as acid)

📊 Comedogenicity

📚 Research & Evidence

🔬 The Science

Sodium dehydroacetate (also called dehydroacetic acid sodium salt) functions as an antimicrobial preservative—it fights bacteria, fungi, and yeast growth. The ingredient is widely used across cosmetics, processed foods, and personal care products (Environ Res, 2021). **Safety for cosmetic use:** #1: A specialized expert panel (the Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety) first assessed sodium dehydroacetate in 1985 and concluded it was safe at the concentrations and in the ways it was being used in cosmetics. The panel re-reviewed this conclusion in 2003, reaffirmed it in 2006, and most recently reviewed updated usage data again in 2023—reaffirming the original 1985 safety conclusion (Int J Toxicol, 2024).

This means the ingredient is considered safe for topical cosmetic application under current usage practices. **What animal research shows:** The picture becomes more complex when looking at oral ingestion and high-dose exposure studies. #2: When sodium dehydroacetate was given orally to rats at high doses (50–200 mg/kg body weight), it affected blood clotting by prolonging clotting times and lowering vitamin K levels in the bloodstream (Sci Rep, 2017). #3: Follow-up research identified the mechanism: the ingredient inhibits a liver enzyme called VKORC1 that recycles vitamin K, and treating animals with vitamin K reversed the clotting effects, confirming vitamin K depletion as the cause (Res Vet Sci, 2019).

#4: Sex differences were observed—female rats were more sensitive to these effects than males, accumulating higher blood levels of the ingredient and showing greater clotting changes (Front Pharmacol, 2021). **Environmental concerns:** #5: In aquatic organisms (zebrafish), waterborne exposure to sodium dehydroacetate at relatively low concentrations caused decreased hatching rates, reduced movement, respiratory problems, and death—effects attributed to the ingredient interfering with cellular energy production (Environ Res, 2021). **Important context:** The oral rat studies used doses substantially higher than typical human cosmetic exposure. The safety assessment for cosmetics specifically addresses topical use at current concentrations, which differ from the high oral doses tested in animal research.

The sources do not provide data directly comparing topical cosmetic exposure to the effects observed in these animal studies.

💧 Skin Type Compatibility

⚠️ Don’t Combine With

🧴 Products Containing SODIUM DEHYDROACETATE

• Cosmo Naturel, Gravier Shampooing Cheveux secs Karité – Jojoba – Aloe
• tetesept tetesept Zeit für Dich
• Essence mySKIN PERFECTOR
• Coslys Gel douche haute tolérance mélisse bio
• I Provenzali, Saponificio Gianasso Bagno schiuma erboristico
• Fiocchi di riso Talco non talco
• Labcare, Labcare cosmetics Crema viso anti-age
• Alchimia Olive Oil Moisturizing Body Wash
• Estēe Lauder Double Wear
• Carrefour Toallitas desmaquillantes cara y ojos piel seca-sensible
• L’OREAL NORGE AS L’Oréal Paris Lash Paradise Waterproof Zwarte Volume Mascara
• L’OREAL NORGE AS L’Oreal Brow Artist Plumper Brunette
• L’OREAL NORGE AS L’Oreal Mascara Lash Paradis Moonlight Noir Brown
• Pure Soft sensitive bio-flush moist toilet paper
• SB Mask with glitter
• Nu Skin Nutricentials, day dream protective cream
• Palmer’s Crema para el busto
• Clinique Clinique For Men Anti-Age Eye Cream 15 ml
• Clinique Redness solutions
• CoverGirl Trunaked Roses

📄 Related Research

Matched by search — not necessarily verified support for every statement above.

• Cherian P et al. (2024). Sodium Dehydroacetate and Dehydroacetic Acid. Int J Toxicol.
• Huang X et al. (2021). Sodium dehydroacetate exposure decreases locomotor persistence and hypoxia tolerance in zebrafish. Environ Res.
• Zhang Y et al. (2017). Serum pharmacokinetics and coagulation aberration induced by sodium dehydroacetate in male and female Wistar rats. Sci Rep.
• Chen X et al. (2019). Sodium dehydroacetate induces coagulation dysfunction by inhibiting liver vitamin K epoxide reductase complex subunit 1 in Wistar rats. Res Vet Sci.
• Chen X et al. (2021). Sex Metabolic Differences and Effects on Blood Coagulation Among Rats Exposed to Sodium Dehydroacetate. Front Pharmacol.