SodiumHydroxide ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is used primarily as a pH adjuster and neutralizing agent. It raises formula pH and helps convert acidic ingredients into their salt form for better stability or texture.
What does SodiumHydroxide do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is used primarily as a pH adjuster and neutralizing agent. It raises formula pH and helps convert acidic ingredients into their salt form for better stability or texture.
Is SodiumHydroxide clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, it is generally accepted because it is not a fragrance allergen, preservative, or restricted-list controversy when used to set final pH. The main consideration is concentration, since finished products must be buffered to a skin-appropriate pH.
Is SodiumHydroxide sustainable?
This material is typically made from salt brine through electrolysis, so its footprint is more about energy use than agricultural sourcing. It is an inorganic material, so biodegradability is not the right metric, but it does not create organic persistence concerns in finished personal-care use.
Is SodiumHydroxide COSMOS-approved?
It is permitted under COSMOS natural and organic standards for pH adjustment and neutralization when used appropriately. Its Green Chemistry profile is straightforward but not fully renewable, with simple chemistry and no organic persistence, balanced against electricity-intensive manufacture.
How does SodiumHydroxide work chemically?
This compound is a strong inorganic base that fully dissociates in water and is used to increase alkalinity or neutralize acidic components. It is typically added at q.s. levels, often well below 1% in finished formulas, and its practical relevance is governed by the final product pH rather than the starting amount.
Last updated 2026-08-16