Aniseed salt

Other names: Sodium 4-methoxybenzoate, 4-Methoxybenzoic acid sodium salt, Sodium Anisate

Harm score: 2 (Derivatives of natural substances)

Sodium Anisate, also known as Sodium 4-methoxybenzoate or 4-Methoxybenzoic acid sodium salt, is an organic benzoic acid compound that is an aniseed oil compound and characterized by its methoxy groups. The properties of this substance are valuable in a wide range of industries, where its fungicidal and bactericidal action stands out in particular. Sodium Anisate is an approved preservative in the European Union and its safety has been verified in numerous laboratory tests.

In the first instance, Sodium Anisate is used extensively in the cosmetics industry, where it is used as a preservative in various skin creams, shampoos, sunscreens, deodorants, lipsticks and other cosmetics. This substance is very popular mainly due to the fact that it does not irritate the skin and has no adverse side effects. Due to its properties, it is considered a safe alternative to parabens. In the food industry, Sodium Anisate is used as an acidity regulator. In the pharmaceutical industry, it is used as an anti-mould and anti-bacterial agent, for example in medicated ointments and creams.