Table 3.
Preservatives listed on EU Annex V that are or have been associated with baby wipes7
| Preservative | Maximum approved concentration (% weight)39 | Typical use concentration in wipes (% weight) | Approval status | Human dermal safety assessment | Cosmetic ingredient review reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sodium Benzoate (Benzoic Acid) | 0.50% (acid form) | <0.45% |
Approved at this level for leave‐on products, including wipes Last updated 25‐Oct‐2010 |
Not a sensitizer Safe for use up to 5% |
Nair49 Johnson et al50 |
| Potassium Sorbate (Sorbic Acid) | 0.60% (acid form) | <0.50% |
All products Last updated 16‐Oct‐2010 |
Not irritating or sensitizing up to 0.5% |
Andersen et al20 Anon51 |
| Phenoxyethanol | 1.00% | <0.70% |
All products Last updated 16‐Oct‐2010 |
Neither a primary irritant or sensitizer | Andersen et al52 |
| Methylisothiazolinone | 0.0015% | Not used or allowed |
Not allowed in leave‐on or wipes Rinse‐off products only Last updated 14‐Sep‐2017 |
Strong sensitization potential Not recommended for leave‐on products |
Burnett et al53 |