Is Sodium Benzoate the same as Benzene?

No, however, in foods there can be an issue when Sodium Benzoate combines with Ascorbic Acid creating a form of benzene, a known carcinogen. That said, this scenario is typically occurs in diet sodas and foods, not cosmetics. In foods, fats and sugars hinder the formation of benzene and thus is considered safe and usable in foods by FDA.