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
Klairs Rich Moist Facial Soap
T3 Ada Gel
Acne.org Aha+ (Glycolic Acid - 10%)
Aisuanis Energy Complex Ahas Exfoliating Toner
Avoskin Naufa Pure Olive Oil Bar Soap
Bioderma Sebium Serum
Bioderma Sébium Night Peel
Bliss That'S Incredi-Peel
Clinique ID Active Cartridge Concentrate - for Pores & Uneven Texture
D'lumiere Esthetique Aha 20% Anti Aging Serum
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
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
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
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 8% Aha Gel Exfoliant
Pixi Glow Tonic
Pixi Glow Tonic
Proactiv Step 2 Toner
Proactive+ Revitalizing Toner
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
ASAP Daily Facial Cleanser
Apolosophy Aloe Vera Gel
BOSCIA Resurfacing Treatment Toner With Apple Cider
Beauty Bay Acid Trip Exfoliating Toner
Beauty Bay Skinhit Correcting Serum
Benefit Cosmetics Benetint
Bioderma White Objective Sérum
Clear Skin Days by Sephora Collection Brightening Peel Pads
Cordes Bpo 5% Gel
Dermaceutic Mela Cream
Dermasence Seborra Serum
Ethique Eco-Friendly Face Cleansing Bar, In Your Face
First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue Acne Clearing Pads With White Clay
FÜNFSINNE Multi Tonic 6% Aha Gesichtswasser Und Peeling