Aluminum Hydroxide

TL;DR. This ingredient is primarily used as an opacifier, absorbent, and pigment surface treatment, especially to improve dispersion and reduce surface reactivity in mineral sunscreen and color cosmetic systems.

What does Aluminum Hydroxide do in a cosmetic formula?

This ingredient is primarily used as an opacifier, absorbent, and pigment surface treatment, especially to improve dispersion and reduce surface reactivity in mineral sunscreen and color cosmetic systems.

Is Aluminum Hydroxide clean?

From a clean-beauty perspective, it is generally considered low-irritation and unproblematic for topical use. It can be confused with other metal-based ingredients used for different functions, but its role and exposure profile in cosmetics are distinct.

Is Aluminum Hydroxide sustainable?

This material is mineral-derived and non-renewable, with sourcing tied to mining and refining rather than agriculture. It is not biodegradable in the organic-chemistry sense, but it is an inert inorganic material with low bioaccumulation concern in typical cosmetic use.

Is Aluminum Hydroxide COSMOS-approved?

It is permitted under COSMOS-natural and COSMOS-organic frameworks when produced and used according to the standard’s mineral-origin rules. Its Green Chemistry profile is mixed, with good stability and low reactivity, but non-renewable sourcing and mining impacts keep it from being a fully renewable material.

How does Aluminum Hydroxide work chemically?

This compound is an amphoteric inorganic it that can interact with both acidic and basic environments, which is why it is useful as a coating and stabilizing surface on mineral pigments. It is insoluble in water, stable in typical cosmetic pH ranges, and is commonly used at low levels as a surface treatment rather than as a high-percentage active.

Last updated 2026-05-13