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Sodium Sulfite

A cosmetic ingredient used as antioxidant, hair waving or straightening, preservative in skincare, haircare, and personal-care products sold in the European Union.

What is it?

Sodium sulphite

What does it do?

Sodium Sulfite is listed in the EU cosmetic ingredient inventory with the following declared functions:

  • Antioxidant

    neutralises free radicals to slow oxidative damage to the formulation or skin

  • Hair waving or straightening

    permanently changes the shape of hair through chemical reduction and re-oxidation of the hair's disulfide bonds

  • Preservative

    prevents microbial growth in cosmetic products, extending shelf life and protecting users

  • 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.

Sodium Sulfite 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.

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Frequently asked questions

What is Sodium Sulfite?

Sodium Sulfite is a cosmetic ingredient catalogued in the EU CosIng database. Sodium sulphite

Is Sodium Sulfite allowed in cosmetics in the EU?

Only with restrictions. Sodium Sulfite is permitted in EU cosmetics only under specific conditions defined in Annex III of Regulation 1223/2009.

What does Sodium Sulfite do in cosmetic products?

Sodium Sulfite is declared in the EU cosmetic ingredient inventory with these functions: antioxidant, hair waving or straightening, preservative, reducing.

What is the CAS number of Sodium Sulfite?

The CAS (Chemical Abstracts Service) number for Sodium Sulfite is 7757-83-7.

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