Sodium benzoate chloroacetamide is sometimes used as a combination preservative in cosmetics to prevent the growth of bacteria, mould, fungi and yeasts. A case of occupational allergic contact dermatitis to this preservative is described in a 32-year-old female personal care assistant, who was found to have allergic contact dermatitis involving the hands, caused by the sorbolene lotion supplied in her workplace. Patch testing to chloroacetamide, sodium benzoate chloroacetamide and the sorbolene lotion was positive. Patch testing to sodium benzoate alone was negative. She had been found to react to chloroacetamide 12 months earlier, but the relevance of the reaction had not been ascertained.