With the rise of self-proclaimed beauty "gurus" on TikTok and the growing overlap between scientific facts and marketing buzzwords, misinformation and fear-mongering are rampant in the beauty industry. We've seen it all—from warnings that certain hair care products cause hair loss to bizarre claims that tanning beds are beneficial (spoiler: they aren't).
When it comes to product ingredients and formulations, the confusion only deepens. What’s truly good for you? What should be avoided? These questions have never had simple answers, but now the noise makes it even harder to find clarity.
Sodium Hydroxide
Ingredient type: pH adjuster
Key benefits: Sodium hydroxide plays a crucial role in optimizing the performance of certain products, especially cleansers and leave-on exfoliants, by maintaining their pH within a precise range.
Who should use it: Although there has been fear-mongering around this ingredient, dermatologists generally agree it’s safe for use in beauty products. However, since everyone’s skin is unique, we recommend that individuals with allergies or sensitivities perform a patch test on their forearm before use.
Frequency of use: Since sodium hydroxide is present in cosmetics in very low concentrations, it can be used daily without causing irritation.
Works well with: Being primarily a pH adjuster, sodium hydroxide is found in many formulas, especially those that are highly acidic or alkaline.
Avoid combining with: Sodium hydroxide pairs well with most ingredients. The focus should be more on the concentration used rather than on avoiding specific ingredient combinations.
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What Is Sodium Hydroxide?
Sodium hydroxide, also known as caustic soda, sodium hydrate, soda lye, or simply lye, is the same substance found in household products like drain cleaners and silver polish. Yes, it can be highly corrosive and cause serious burns with direct exposure. However, the key difference between the sodium hydroxide in these products and the sodium hydroxide in your skincare products is the concentration.
In large amounts, sodium hydroxide is undeniably caustic. But in skincare, it’s used in such small concentrations that it’s mostly neutralized during the process of balancing pH levels, making it safe for use.
Sodium hydroxide also plays a role in the saponification process, which helps oils and fats lather in soaps and cleansers. If you enjoy a rich, foamy cleanse, you’ve likely experienced the benefits of sodium hydroxide.
Benefits of Sodium Hydroxide for Skin
Sodium hydroxide has a few essential benefits when it comes to skincare:
Balances and maintains pH levels: Healthy skin requires a balanced pH, and sodium hydroxide helps achieve that by adjusting the product’s pH to be more skin-friendly.
Enhances product effectiveness: Most topical skincare products perform best at a pH range of 4 to 6. By stabilizing the pH of both the product and your skin, sodium hydroxide helps optimize their effectiveness.
Aids in soap lathering: Sodium hydroxide helps oils lather in soaps and cleansers, making it an important part of many formulations.
To fully understand sodium hydroxide’s importance, it’s essential to talk about pH levels. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with anything below 7 being acidic and anything above 7 being alkaline. Balanced skin typically has a pH of around 5.5, which helps protect it from environmental factors like allergens and pollutants.
Sodium hydroxide, being a base, raises the alkalinity of a product and helps stabilize its pH. As the pH is adjusted, the sodium hydroxide is used up in the process, leaving very minimal amounts behind in the final formulation.
Because maintaining pH balance is crucial for healthy skin, sodium hydroxide is a common ingredient in many skincare products, from cleansers to leave-on treatments.
Side Effects of Sodium Hydroxide
While sodium hydroxide in high concentrations can be harmful, the small amounts used in skincare products generally don’t pose a risk. In rare cases, sensitive skin might react with mild redness or dryness, but not severe burns.
Sodium hydroxide is safe for use in beauty products at low concentrations. There’s no need for fear-mongering—science supports its safety.
How to Use
Follow the specific instructions provided by the product. If you have sensitive or reactive skin, it’s always a good idea to do a patch test first to ensure compatibility.
The Final Takeaway
Sodium hydroxide in skincare isn’t as dangerous as it’s sometimes made out to be. Beyond the science, it’s highly unlikely that a beauty brand would release a product that could harm consumers—imagine the PR disaster and legal repercussions!
The concern around sodium hydroxide highlights the impact of fear-mongering, even when well-intentioned. At the end of the day, the science speaks for itself. Trust the facts, and let them guide your skincare choices.
FAQs
Is Sodium Hydroxide Safe in Skincare?Y
es, sodium hydroxide is considered safe in skincare because it’s used in very low concentrations.
Is Sodium Hydroxide Harmful to Sensitive Skin?
Not inherently. Sensitive skin may react to sodium hydroxide as it would to any ingredient it doesn't tolerate, but it's not specifically harmful to sensitive skin.
How Is Sodium Hydroxide Made?
Sodium hydroxide is typically produced through the electrolysis of saltwater.
Kaye's Beauty Book is here to help you choose better products that suit your skin, hair and lifestyle. All of the products mentioned are carefully researched and selected to ensure that the most credible information comes to you. If you do buy a product from one of our links, Kaye's Beauty Book may earn a commission.
II DISCLAIMER: Every skin is different, not everything works for everybody. I recommend you test the product before completely using any new product. II
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