Details
The unfancy name for it is lye. It’s a solid white stuff that’s very alkaline and used in small amounts to adjust the pH of the product and make it just right.
For example, in case of AHA or BHA exfoliants, the right pH is super-duper important, and pH adjusters like sodium hydroxide are needed.
BTW, lye is not something new. It was already used by ancient Egyptians to help oil and fat magically turn into something else. Can you guess what? Yes, it’s soap. It still often shows up in the ingredient list of soaps and other cleansers.
Sodium hydroxide in itself is a potent skin irritant, but once it's reacted (as it is usually in skin care products, like exfoliants) it is totally harmless.
Products with Sodium Hydroxide
Klairs Gentle Black Sugar Charcoal Soap
Beauty Drops Aha 30% + Bha 2% Peeling
DR. SOUL Dark Spot Eraser Whitening Soap
INNO-DERMA Βeta Purifying 24h Cream
Klairs Rich Moist Facial Soap
Kruidvat Bodylotion Sensitive Almond Oil
Lana Age Defying Soap
Patanjali Mogra Body Cleanser
RDL Papaya Brightening Soap
T3 Ada Gel
body blitz Plump It Up Serum
Acne.org Aha+ (Glycolic Acid - 10%)
Advanced Clinicals 10% Glycolic Serum
Aisuanis Energy Complex Ahas Exfoliating Toner
Aroma Zone Sérum Visage Concentré Acide Glycolique 10% & AHA
Avoskin Naufa Pure Olive Oil Bar Soap
Barefaced Glow Peel Pads
Beauché Beauty Bar
Belo Intensive Whitening Bar Classic
Belo Essentials Belo Acne-pro Pimple Fighting Bar
Bioderma Sebium Serum
Bioderma Sébium Night Peel
Bliss That'S Incredi-Peel
CeraVe Acne Control Gel
CeraVe Acne Control Gel
Clinique Clinique iD BB-Gel+ Pores & Uneven Texture Pre-assembled Kit
Clinique ID Active Cartridge Concentrate - for Pores & Uneven Texture
Clémence & Vivien Savon À Froid L'emir
Clémence & Vivien Savon À Froid Le Saint Bernard
Clémence & Vivien Savon À Froid Le Suisse
D'lumiere Esthetique Aha 20% Anti Aging Serum
Defensil Pimple Defense Soap
Dermaceutic Foamer 15
Dermosil Anti-Spot Gel
Dermskin Lemon Soap
Dr Bronner Lavender Soap Bar
Dr. Bronner's Organic Eucalyptus Soap Bar
Dr. Bronner's Organic Green Tea Soap Bar
Dr. Bronner's Organic Tea Tree Pure-Castile Soap Bar
Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castile Bar Soap
Elastalift Glycolic Acid
FUKU Activated Charcoal Brightening Soap Bar
FUKU Brightening Soap Bar With Collagen, Vitamin A & C
Florence by Mills One Swipe Glow Wipe Treatment Pads
Ginvera World Spa Glacier Water And Sea Salt Shower Scrub
Glossier Solution
Glytone Rejuvenating Cream 20
Healer’s Daughter 10% Glycolic Exfoliating Serum
Innoderm Teranex Soap
KERSTIN FLORIAN Correcting Intensive Renewal Glycolic 15