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.
Something incorrect or missing?Products with Sodium Hydroxide
Beauty Drops Aha 30% + Bha 2% Peeling
DR. SOUL Dark Spot Eraser Whitening Soap
Klairs Rich Moist Facial Soap
Kruidvat Bodylotion Sensitive Almond Oil
T3 Ada Gel
Acne.org Aha+ (Glycolic Acid - 10%)
Advanced Clinicals 10% Glycolic Serum
Aisuanis Energy Complex Ahas Exfoliating Toner
Avoskin Naufa Pure Olive Oil Bar Soap
Belo Intensive Whitening Bar Classic
Bioderma Sebium Serum
Bioderma Sébium Night Peel
Bliss That'S Incredi-Peel
Clinique Clinique iD BB-Gel+ Pores & Uneven Texture Pre-assembled Kit
Clinique ID Active Cartridge Concentrate - for Pores & Uneven Texture
D'lumiere Esthetique Aha 20% Anti Aging Serum
Defensil Pimple Defense Soap
Dermosil Anti-Spot Gel
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
Florence by Mills One Swipe Glow Wipe Treatment Pads
Glossier Solution
Glytone Rejuvenating Cream 20
Innoderm Teranex Soap
KERSTIN FLORIAN Correcting Intensive Renewal Glycolic 15
Kayman Beauty Coalface Soap
Kojie san Skin Lightening Soap
Kojie san Skin Lightening Soap
LANCER Caviar Lime Acid Peel
L’anza Healing Color Care Color-Preserving Trauma Treatment
Medik8 Glycolic Acid Activator
Nip+Fab Glycolic Fix Concentrate Extreme 10%
Nuvo Active With Tcc + Mint Bar Soap
PURA D'OR Apple Cider Vinegar - Thin2Thick Shampoo
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 8% Aha Gel Exfoliant
Pixi Glow Tonic
Pixi Glow Tonic
Proactiv Step 2 Toner
Proactive+ Revitalizing Toner
QRxLabs Glycolic Acid/AHA 15% Renewal Serum
SCT Gluta Kojic Ultra Soap
Skin Authority Instant Perfection Peel Pads
The Inkey List 15% Vitamin C And EGF Serum
Urban Skin Rx Clear & Even Tone Clarifying Glycolic Pads
Acnemy Zitless Patches
Apolosophy Aloe Vera Gel