Potassium Metabisulfite
A cosmetic ingredient used as hair waving or straightening, preservative, reducing in skincare, haircare, and personal-care products sold in the European Union.
What is it?
Dipotassium disulphite
What does it do?
Potassium Metabisulfite is listed in the EU cosmetic ingredient inventory with the following declared functions:
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Hair waving or straightening
permanently changes the shape of hair through chemical reduction and re-oxidation of the hair's disulfide bonds
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Preservative
prevents microbial growth in cosmetic products, extending shelf life and protecting users
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Reducing
a reducing agent — donates electrons to break chemical bonds, used in perms and depilatories
EU regulatory status
This ingredient is restricted in the European Union.
Potassium Metabisulfite is listed under Annex III of EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009 (entry 99V). It is permitted only under specific conditions, concentration limits, or in particular product types.
Notes: /9
Frequently asked questions
What is Potassium Metabisulfite?
Potassium Metabisulfite is a cosmetic ingredient catalogued in the EU CosIng database. Dipotassium disulphite
Is Potassium Metabisulfite allowed in cosmetics in the EU?
Only with restrictions. Potassium Metabisulfite is permitted in EU cosmetics only under specific conditions defined in Annex III of Regulation 1223/2009.
What does Potassium Metabisulfite do in cosmetic products?
Potassium Metabisulfite is declared in the EU cosmetic ingredient inventory with these functions: hair waving or straightening, preservative, reducing.
What is the CAS number of Potassium Metabisulfite?
The CAS (Chemical Abstracts Service) number for Potassium Metabisulfite is 16731-55-8 / 4429-42-9.
Related ingredients
Source: EU CosIng database (European Commission). This page is derived from public-sector information published by the European Commission. · Last updated: 11/08/2020