Sodium Hydroxide
A cosmetic ingredient used as buffering, denaturant in skincare, haircare, and personal-care products sold in the European Union.
What is it?
Sodium hydroxide
What does it do?
Sodium Hydroxide is listed in the EU cosmetic ingredient inventory with the following declared functions:
-
Buffering
stabilises the pH of a product
-
Denaturant
makes ethanol in cosmetics unfit for drinking — required by regulation when alcohol is used
EU regulatory status
This ingredient is restricted in the European Union.
Sodium Hydroxide is listed under Annex III of EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009 (entry 15a). It is permitted only under specific conditions, concentration limits, or in particular product types.
Frequently asked questions
What is Sodium Hydroxide?
Sodium Hydroxide is a cosmetic ingredient catalogued in the EU CosIng database. Sodium hydroxide
Is Sodium Hydroxide allowed in cosmetics in the EU?
Only with restrictions. Sodium Hydroxide is permitted in EU cosmetics only under specific conditions defined in Annex III of Regulation 1223/2009.
What does Sodium Hydroxide do in cosmetic products?
Sodium Hydroxide is declared in the EU cosmetic ingredient inventory with these functions: buffering, denaturant.
What is the CAS number of Sodium Hydroxide?
The CAS (Chemical Abstracts Service) number for Sodium Hydroxide is 1310-73-2.
Related ingredients
Source: EU CosIng database (European Commission). This page is derived from public-sector information published by the European Commission. · Last updated: 15/10/2010