sodium hydroxide on skin

In fact, a study on skin products found that using an alkaline cleanser, even once, can do significant damage to the skin as an alkaline cleanser disrupts the skin’s acid mantle. This acidity of the skin is termed the skin’s ‘acid mantle’ and is maintained by sebaceous glands, sweat glands, and normal skin flora. If you are familiar with lye you made have heard some scary things. It was historically used in the formulation of soaps, but is currently seen in a variety of formulas, including bath products, cleansing products, fragrances, foot powders, hair dyes and colors, makeup, nail products, personal cleanliness products, shampoos, shaving products, depilatories, skin care products, and suntan products, as well as chemical hair straighteners and hair wave sets (CosmeticsInfo.org and CosmeticsCop.com). If it’s lower than 7 it’s acidic, and if it’s higher than 7 it’s basic. The TIA community consists of our trusted reviewers. * Considered a strong irritant OTHER COMPANIES’ MARKS USED ON THIS SITE REMAIN THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS. References: Dermal contact with sodium hydroxide can take several different forms depending on the strength of the solution. A pH of 7 is neutral. Less frequently, Sodium Hydroxide is seen as an ingredient in toothpastes. The severity of effects caused by sodium hydroxide is a function of the concentration, the pH, the length of tissue contact time, and local conditions and skin type. However, it is primarily used in the washing and chemical peeling of produce. Your information will be stored to send you emails. During this process, the sodium hydroxide is actually completely used up in the reaction and isn’t present in the final product. A pH less than 7 is acidic. Most dermatologists don’t recommend alkaline cleanser despite their growing popularity. No part of this blog may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the author, except for brief quotations when accompanied by a citation and link. You must have JavaScript enabled in your browser to utilize the functionality of this website. The CDC reports that "Skin contact with sodium hydroxide can cause severe burns with deep ulcerations. All rights reserved. A pH greater than 7 is basic. On one hand, if a product is too acidic it may irritate the skin or cause a stinging sensation. It is also a popular ingredient in industrial solvents as a chemical base for soaps, oven cleaners, detergents and drain cleaners because of its ability to dissolve grease, oils, fats and protein based deposits, according to Wikipedia. pH 7 means neutral. However, it is primarily used in the washing and chemical peeling of produce. Other studies acknowledge Sodium Hydroxide as a strong irritant that is corrosive to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract, but that the severity of the effects are related directly to concentration and pH levels, as well as the length of exposure and skin type. Keep an eye on:There are many other uses of sodium hydroxide, including dye, drain cleaner, soaps, nail products and makeup. Sodium hydroxide is used to saponify oils, meaning that it allows oils to lather and foam in soaps and cleansers. Recommended Products with Sodium Hydroxide: E'shee Clinical Esthetic Alpha and Omega Gene Therapy Eye Cream ($284 in the shop), Sciote Peptide+Defense Firming Eye Creme ($65 in the shop), Kat Burki Hibiscus Antioxidant Face Mask ($78 in the shop), Skinfinite Platinum 30spf ($32.50). The Science (video with KindofStephen), Tranexamic acid: a newer skincare ingredient for pigmentation, « Activated Charcoal in Skincare: The Science, Gift Ideas for a Good Cause From The Body Shop », Purging vs Breakouts: When to Ditch Your Skincare, Easy (5 Minute) DIY Vitamin C Serum Recipe, My Routine for Starting on Tretinoin (Retin-A) Cream. Stearyl alcohol is a natural fatty alcohol that is used as an emollient, em... What Is Acetyl Glucosamine? ‘Safety Assessment of Inorganic Hydroxides as Used in Cosmetics, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel. What Is Isohexadecane? It is good to keep in mind that sodium hydroxide is a versatile ingredient. The science, How Bad Is Alcohol in Skincare, Really? used in soap-making to turn fats and oils into soap, Make Your Own Soap! Lower pH means a higher concentration of H, The formula for calculating pH is pH = -log. * A pH adjuster * Considered a strong irritant * Also known as lye, caustic soda, soda lye or sodium hydrate Functions of Sodium Hydroxide: Sodium Hydroxide is an inorganic compound used to control the pH levels or serve as a buffering agent in cosmetics and personal care products. Inspiring thoughts and women who are aging gracefully. TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DETAILS OF THESE RELATIONSHIPS AND HOW PRODUCTS ARE RANKED ON OUR SITE, PLEASE READ THE "FULL DISCLOSURE" AND "METHODOLOGY" SECTIONS. What Are Parabens – And Are They Bad For You? It is classified as "expected to be toxic or harmful" and one or more animal studies show brain and nervous system, metabolic, and sense organ effects at very low doses and there are warnings regarding using this ingredient around the eyes or mouth. THE OWNER OF THEDERMREVIEW.COM HAS MATERIAL BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS WITH ADVANCED DERMATOLOGY AND FORMULYST, WHOSE PRODUCTS WE ALSO REVIEW AND RANK. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THOSE RELATIONSHIPS MAY AFFECT HOW WE REVIEW AND RANK PRODUCTS OR SERVICES MENTIONED ON THE SITE. Sodium hydroxide is approved for use in cosmetics and personal care products in varying concentrations: 5% by weight in nail cuticle solvents, 2% by weight in hair straighteners for general use, 4.5% by weight in hair straighteners for professional use, up to a pH 12.7 in depilatories, and up to pH 11 in other uses as a pH adjuster. It is also a popular ingredient in industrial solvents as a chemical base for soaps, oven cleaners, detergents and drain cleaners because of its ability to dissolve grease, oils, fats and protein based deposits, according to Wikipedia. Who is it for?All skin types except those that have an identified allergy to it. However, it is primarily used in the washing and chemical peeling of produce.Concentrated sodium hydroxide is a strong irritant and corrosive to the skin, eyes, respiratory tract, and gastrointestinal system if ingested. Your email address will not be published. Studies by the National Institute for Occupation Safety and Health found that this ingredient causes "Irritation eyes, skin, mucous membrane; pneumonitis; eye, skin burns; temporary loss of hair" and recommends that consumers prevent skin and eye contact. Difference Between Humectant, Emollient, Occlusive, Everything You Need to Know About Peptides. Helpful how-tos and reviews from Marta and friends. In most cases, the sodium hydroxide is not present in the final product. Earn Rewards, get samples, Sign up and SAVE today, National Institute for Occupation Safety and Health, E'shee Clinical Esthetic Alpha and Omega Gene Therapy Eye Cream, Reader Review: Another Take on My Blend Day Creme. the good:Soaponifies oils so that they can be used in soaps and cleansers. Free shipping on all domestic orders over $49, The honest truth about beauty & personal care products. Pain and irritation are evident within 3 minutes, but contact with dilute solutions may not cause symptoms for several hours. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved sodium hydroxide as GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) as a direct food additive. United States Food and Drug Administration. Acute Exposure. The United States Food and Drug Administration has approved sodium hydroxide as GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) as a direct food additive. Sodium hydroxide was historically used in the formulation of soaps but is also found in a variety of formulas, including bath products, cleansing products, fragrances, foot powders, hair dyes and colors, makeup, nail products, personal cleanliness products, shampoos, shaving products, depilatories, skincare products. The acid mantle provides a film of amino/lactic acids and oils that effectively protect skin from environmental factors such as bacteria, allergens, and pollutants that contribute to premature aging and irritation. * A pH adjuster This is why knowledgable formulators are so important. Acetyl glucosamine is a skin-replenishing ingredient that helps to reduc... What Is Acetyl Hexapeptide 8? the not so good:Sodium hydroxide is highly caustic but it is usually fully used up in the process. In cases where it is, the pH is usually carefully managed so as to not disrupt the skin. Sodium hydroxide has a pH value of 13, which means that it is highly basic, or alkaline and is mainly used in the manufacturing of soaps and cleansers. Sodium Hydroxide is an inorganic compound used to control the pH levels or serve as a buffering agent in cosmetics and personal care products. Those of lesser concentrations could take as long as several hours before a burn occurs. I understand if you are concerned about using such an ingredient in your skincare but sodium hydroxide has a little hidden talent. And the damage is cumulative: the longer you use it, the more damage it does to your skin. For more information see. Synergetic ingredients:Works well with most ingredients. The main function of sodium hydroxide in cosmetics and personal care products is to establish and hold the pH of a product. Consequently, this alters the bacterial flora composition on the skin and the activity of the enzymes in the upper layers of skin, as these have an optimal pH level. Concentrated sodium hydroxide is a strong irritant and corrosive to the skin, eyes, respiratory tract, and gastrointestinal system if ingested. Contact with the eye may produce pain and irritation, and in severe cases, clouding of the eye and blindness." The pH of cosmetics and skincare products is important to maintain the skin’s normal pH as closely as possible. has approved sodium hydroxide as GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) as a direct food additive. * Also known as lye, caustic soda, soda lye or sodium hydrate. Solutions as weak as 0.12% have shown to destruct healthy skin cells within one hour. The CDC reports that “Skin contact with sodium hydroxide can cause severe burns with deep ulcerations. Even though typical formulations only use a small amount of sodium hydroxide in order to adjust the pH, which is usually used up in the chemical reaction, if a product is too alkaline it can damage your skin. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14. EXCLUDING INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OWNED BY OTHERS, ALL SITE CONTENT IS COPYRIGHTED OR LICENSED FOR USE BY THE OWNER OF THIS SITE. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Worldwide production in 2004 was approximately 60 million tons, while demand was 51 million tons. – Truth in Aging Safety Measures/Side Effects of Sodium Hydroxide: Sodium Hydroxide is considered a moderate hazard ingredient by the Cosmetics Database, which notes concerns regarding cancer, and moderate concerns regarding neurotoxicty, organ system toxicity and irritation. However, it is primarily used in the washing and chemical peeling of produce.