Potassium Cinnamate-Cosmetic Grade Preservative（CAS 16089-48-8 ）
Product Name: Potassium Cinnamate
Alternative Names: Potassium trans-cinnamate, Cinnamic acid potassium salt, Kaliumcinnamat
INCI Name: POTASSIUM CINNAMATE
CAS No.: 16089-48-8
EINECS No.: 240-244-7
Molecular Formula: C₉H₇KO₂
Molecular Weight: 186.25 g/mol
Chemical Class: Organic acid salt / Cinnamic acid derivative / Phenylpropanoid
Source / Origin: Synthetic from natural cinnamic acid neutralization with potassium hydroxide; cinnamic acid can be derived from cinnamon bark or synthetic
Purity: ≥99.0%, Cosmetic Grade
Also Available: Food grade, pharmaceutical grade
Appearance: White to Slightly Yellow Crystalline Powder
Odor: Natural cinnamon aroma, characteristic sweet-spicy scent
Solubility: Freely soluble in water, slightly soluble in ethanol
pH Value (1% Aqueous Solution): 7.5 - 9.0
Melting Point: ~250°C (decomposition)
Loss on Drying: ≤1.0%
Residue on Ignition: ≤0.1%
Heavy Metals (as Pb): ≤10 ppm
Arsenic (As): ≤2 ppm
Key Characteristics: Broad-spectrum natural preservative, effective against bacteria, yeasts and molds, pH-independent antimicrobial activity (effective pH 2-7), high safety profile, natural cinnamon fragrance, skin conditioning benefits, clean label friendly, good water solubility, multi-functional preservative + skin care ingredient
Storage Condition: Sealed, dry, cool and well-ventilated place, protect from light and moisture, store at room temperature, avoid strong acids
Shelf Life: 24 Months under proper storage conditions
MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity): 1KG
Application: Natural preservative and antimicrobial agent for cosmetics and personal care products; also functions as skin conditioning agent, fragrance ingredient and skin brightening agent; used in creams, lotions, serums, shampoos, conditioners, sunscreens and clean beauty formulations
Potassium Cinnamate, Cosmetic Grade Preservative, Natural Preservative, Antimicrobial Agent, Skin Conditioning Agent, Cinnamic Acid Derivative, Clean Beauty Ingredient
Potassium Cinnamate-Cosmetic Grade Preservative（CAS 16089-48-8 ）
Cosmetic Grade Potassium Cinnamate is a high-purity natural preservative and multi-functional skin care ingredient derived from cinnamic acid. As the potassium salt of cinnamic acid, it combines excellent broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity with natural skin conditioning benefits, making it a highly desirable ingredient for modern clean beauty and natural cosmetic formulations.
Potassium Cinnamate exhibits potent antimicrobial activity against a wide range of microorganisms including bacteria, yeasts, and molds. Its unique mechanism of action involves disrupting microbial cell membranes, lowering intracellular pH, inhibiting essential enzyme activities, and suppressing biofilm formation. Unlike many traditional preservatives, its antimicrobial efficacy is not significantly affected by pH, remaining effective across a broad pH range of 2-7, making it highly versatile for various formulation types. Beyond preservation, it offers additional skin benefits including skin conditioning, oil control, and mild brightening effects. With its natural cinnamon fragrance, high safety profile, and clean label appeal, Potassium Cinnamate is an excellent choice for formulators seeking natural preservative alternatives for creams, lotions, serums, hair care products, and other personal care applications.
Key Benefits
• Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial: Effective against bacteria, yeasts and molds, providing comprehensive protection against microbial contamination.
• pH-Independent Efficacy: Antimicrobial activity remains effective across pH 2-7, unlike many acid-based preservatives that only work in acidic conditions.
• Natural Preservative Alternative: Derived from cinnamic acid, clean label friendly, suitable for natural and clean beauty formulations.
• Multi-Functional Ingredient: Serves as preservative + skin conditioner + fragrance ingredient + skin brightener, four benefits in one ingredient.
• High Safety Profile: Excellent skin tolerance, low irritation, classified as non-toxic (LD50 >5g/kg), metabolized safely in the body.
• Natural Cinnamon Fragrance: Imparts a pleasant natural cinnamon aroma, can reduce or replace added fragrances in formulations.
• Good Water Solubility: Freely soluble in water, easy to incorporate into aqueous formulations.
• Skin Conditioning Benefits: Helps regulate sebum production, improves skin texture, and provides mild moisturizing effects.
• Oil Control Properties: Helps balance skin oil secretion, beneficial for oily and acne-prone skin formulations.
• Mild Brightening Effect: May help inhibit tyrosinase activity and reduce melanin formation for subtle brightening.
• Biofilm Inhibition: Prevents microbial biofilm formation, enhancing preservative efficacy and product stability.
• Sustainable & Renewable: Cinnamic acid can be sourced from renewable plant materials, supporting sustainable cosmetic development.
Applications
• Face Creams & Lotions: Natural preservative system in moisturizing creams, day creams, night creams and body lotions, with added skin conditioning benefits.
• Serums & Essences: Preservative and skin brightening agent in facial serums, brightening essences and anti-aging serums.
• Shampoos & Conditioners: Natural preservative and scalp conditioning agent in shampoos, conditioners and hair treatments.
• Clean Beauty Products: Ideal natural preservative for clean beauty, natural cosmetic and organic skincare formulations.
• Sunscreen Products: Preservative and mild UV-protective additive in sunscreens and sun care products.
• Acne & Oily Skin Care: Preservative and oil-controlling agent in acne treatments, oil-control products and mattifying formulations.
• Body Care: Natural preservative in body washes, body lotions and body sprays with pleasant cinnamon scent.
• Baby & Sensitive Skin: Gentle preservative option for baby care and sensitive skin products due to high safety profile.
• Custom Preservative Blends: Supports customized development of combined preservative systems with other natural antimicrobials for enhanced efficacy.
Certificate Of Analysis (COA)
Test Item | Standard Specification | Test Result |
Product Name | Potassium Cinnamate | Compliant |
INCI Name | POTASSIUM CINNAMATE | Compliant |
CAS No. | 16089-48-8 | Compliant |
EINECS No. | 240-244-7 | Compliant |
Appearance | White to Slightly Yellow Crystalline Powder | Compliant |
Odor | Natural cinnamon aroma | Compliant |
Purity (Assay) | ≥99.0% | 99.58% |
Molecular Formula | C₉H₇KO₂ | Compliant |
Molecular Weight | 186.25 g/mol | Compliant |
Identification (IR) | Conforms to reference standard | Compliant |
pH Value (1% Solution) | 7.5 - 9.0 | 8.25 |
Loss on Drying | ≤1.0% | 0.32% |
Residue on Ignition | ≤0.1% | 0.05% |
Melting Point | ~250°C (decomposition) | 248°C (decomp.) |
Solubility in Water | Clear solution (10% solution) | Clear, fully soluble |
Cinnamic Acid Content | ≥98.0% (dry basis) | 98.72% |
Potassium Content | 20.5 - 21.5% | 20.95% |
Heavy Metals (as Pb) | ≤10 ppm | <5 ppm |
Arsenic (As) | ≤2 ppm | <0.5 ppm |
Lead (Pb) | ≤2 ppm | <0.3 ppm |
Mercury (Hg) | ≤1 ppm | <0.1 ppm |
Cadmium (Cd) | ≤1 ppm | <0.1 ppm |
Total Aerobic Count | ≤100 CFU/g | <10 CFU/g |
Yeast & Mold | ≤10 CFU/g | <1 CFU/g |
E. coli | Negative | Negative |
Salmonella | Negative | Negative |
Staphylococcus aureus | Negative | Negative |
Pseudomonas aeruginosa | Negative | Negative |
Conclusion | Conforms to cosmetic grade quality standard | Qualified |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
• Q1: What is the MOQ of cosmetic grade Potassium Cinnamate?
A1: The standard MOQ is 1KG, and sample orders are supported for quality inspection and formulation testing.
• Q2: What grades are available and which one should I choose for cosmetics?
A2: We offer cosmetic grade, food grade and pharmaceutical grade. Cosmetic grade (≥99% purity) is recommended for most personal care and cosmetic applications; food grade is also suitable for cosmetics but may have different specifications.
• Q3: Is Potassium Cinnamate approved for use in cosmetics globally?
A3: Yes, it is listed in China IECIC and generally recognized as safe for cosmetic use. It is also widely accepted in natural and clean beauty formulations worldwide. Always verify specific regional regulatory requirements.
• Q4: What is the recommended usage level as a preservative in cosmetics?
A4: Typical use level is 0.05-0.5% depending on product type and formulation pH. For general preservation: 0.1-0.3%; for challenging formulations or high-risk products: 0.3-0.5%. It can be used alone or combined with other preservatives for enhanced broad-spectrum protection.
• Q5: How does Potassium Cinnamate compare to traditional preservatives like parabens or phenoxyethanol?
A5: Potassium Cinnamate offers a natural, clean-label alternative with broad-spectrum activity. Its key advantages include: natural origin, pH-independent efficacy (works at pH 2-7), multi-functional skin benefits, and pleasant natural fragrance. It may be slightly less potent than parabens at very low concentrations but works well at typical use levels and is highly synergistic with other natural antimicrobials.
• Q6: What formulation considerations should I be aware of?
A6: Potassium Cinnamate is water-soluble and compatible with most cosmetic ingredients. It is effective across a wide pH range (2-7). As an alkaline salt, it may raise formulation pH slightly - adjust accordingly if needed. It works well in both cold-process and hot-process formulations. Avoid combining with strong acids which could cause precipitation of cinnamic acid.
• Q7: Can it be combined with other natural preservatives for enhanced efficacy?
A7: Absolutely - Potassium Cinnamate is highly synergistic with other natural antimicrobials. Popular combinations include: Potassium Cinnamate + Potassium Sorbate + Sodium Benzoate (enhanced broad spectrum), Potassium Cinnamate + Caprylhydroxamic Acid + Pentylene Glycol (clean beauty system), Potassium Cinnamate + Ethylhexylglycerin (boosted efficacy).
• Q8: Do you support long-term stable large-batch supply?
A8: Yes, our production facility has sufficient capacity to ensure sustainable and stable bulk supply all year round, with consistent quality across batches. We also offer custom packaging and specification options for bulk customers.
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