Ingredient · dataset v56
Potassium Sorbate and fungal acne
No known trigger
Why it's not a known trigger
A short six-carbon unsaturated salt preservative; far shorter than the long-chain fats Malassezia yeast harvests.
Common in naturally-positioned formulas.
Evidence strength
Judged neutral — no trigger evidence
Function
Preservative
Checked products with this ingredient (4)
Product types: Body care, Hair care, Sunscreens, Toners
Body care (1)
Hair care (1)
Sunscreens (1)
Toners (1)
Related preservative
- Anisic Acid — No known trigger
- Benzisothiazolinone — No known trigger
- Benzyl Alcohol — No known trigger
- Butylated Hydroxytoluene — No known trigger
- Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate — No known trigger
- Butylparaben — No known trigger
- Caprylhydroxamic Acid — No known trigger
- Chlorhexidine Digluconate — No known trigger
Sources
EU CosIng database — search the INCI name
Last reviewed: 2026-10-13 (dataset v56).
Questions
Does Potassium Sorbate trigger fungal acne?
No known trigger: A short six-carbon unsaturated salt preservative; far shorter than the long-chain fats the yeast harvests.
Does Potassium Sorbate feed Malassezia?
No known link: Potassium Sorbate is judged with no known trigger. One screened ingredient is not a product verdict — when in doubt, ask a dermatologist.
Is this medical advice?
No. We screen ingredient lists; we never diagnose, treat, or certify products. When in doubt, ask a dermatologist.
Check a full list containing Potassium Sorbate →
Not medical advice: we screen ingredient lists for potential triggers — we never diagnose, treat, or certify products. Dataset v56.