Sodium Hydroxide

adultsSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Is this safe for adults to use Sodium Hydroxide?

YES - Generally Safe
Danger Score: 2 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Sodium Hydroxide is generally considered safe for adults when used in topical products. Adults generally have higher tolerance.

ℹ️General Overview

For adults: usually safe in finished skin products because it’s used in very small amounts and neutralized so the product isn’t harsh. The biggest risk is irritation or burns from concentrated forms or poorly formulated products.

What to Do

Use only finished cosmetic products as directed. Avoid products that feel sharply burning or stinging and stop use if you get redness or pain. Don’t use products that list high alkaline or strong chemical warnings. Never handle raw or concentrated sodium hydroxide (household drain cleaners, industrial lye) without protective gear; if you do, wear gloves and eye protection and keep it away from children.

⚠️Warnings

Regulatory reviews and safety panels (for example the EU cosmetics rules and industry safety assessments) restrict or limit its use in cosmetics and note it must be formulated to avoid irritation. Other government and scientific sources (Environment Canada, EPA and medical reviews) note handling hazards and some evidence of organ toxicity at higher exposures. Watch for strong burning, eye contact, or breathing problems and seek medical help if those occur.

Confidence: HIGH

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Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Banned: This ingredient is restricted for use in cosmetics in some regions. The EU cosmetics rules list limits on its use, and industry safety reviewers say it can only be used safely at certain low concentrations or when specially handled.
Organ Risk: Authorities have flagged possible harm to organs with repeated or high exposures. A national health agency classified it as expected to be toxic or harmful and gave it a medium human-health priority, and a U.S. assessment found toxic effects in animal studies. There is also limited evidence of breathing-related toxicity noted by a medical literature source.
Asthma: There is limited evidence that breathing in this chemical can hurt the lungs or airways. Medical literature notes possible respiratory toxicity, so it could make breathing problems worse if a child is exposed to vapor or mist.

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for Sodium Hydroxide

This ingredient may also be listed as:

sodium hydroxideCHEMBL2105794SODIUM HYDROXIDE, 40% SOLUTIONCTK0H4682SODIUM HYDROXIDE, SOLID [UN1823] [CORROSIVE]Q102769SODIUM HYDROXIDE, PELLETS, TRACE METALS GRADE 99.99%J-005935SODIUM HYDROXIDE, SOLUTION [UN1824] [CORROSIVE]SODIUM HYDROXIDE, TECHNICAL, 30% SOLUTION IN WATERSODIUM HYDROXIDE, 10.0N STANDARDIZED SOLUTIONSODIUM HYDROXIDE

Always check ingredient labels carefully, as ingredients may be listed under different names.

Products Containing Sodium Hydroxide

This ingredient is found in the following products:

This list shows products that contain Sodium Hydroxide or its alternative names.

Common Questions About Sodium Hydroxide

Is this safe for adults to use Sodium Hydroxide?

Yes, Sodium Hydroxide is generally considered safe for adults based on current research.

What are the banned risks of Sodium Hydroxide for adults?

Banned or heavily restricted in one or more countries.

What are the organ risk risks of Sodium Hydroxide for adults?

May harm organs like liver, kidneys, or lungs with repeated use.

What are the asthma risks of Sodium Hydroxide for adults?

Can make breathing issues like asthma worse in babies and kids.

What products contain Sodium Hydroxide?

Sodium Hydroxide is commonly found in skincare products, cosmetics, and topical applications. Always check ingredient labels before use.

When can adults using products with Sodium Hydroxide?

The appropriate age depends on the specific ingredient properties and concentration. This analysis is for adults. Use the age selector above to check other ages.

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