Products with Sodium Hydroxide

Why pH balance matters in a skincare formula

Sodium hydroxide almost never appears near the top of an ingredient list. It is added drop by drop at the end of manufacturing to move a formula's pH into its target window, and that window matters: exfoliating acids need a low pH to work, niacinamide and peptides prefer a near-neutral one, and skin itself sits slightly acidic. Getting it right is what keeps a product from stinging.

You will find it across the ELLEMES catalogue in formulas from Revision Skincare, SkinCeuticals, Obagi and SkinBetter Science, including Revision Skincare DEJ Face Cream, DEJ Night Cream, SkinCeuticals HA Intensifier Multi-Glycan, Obagi Hydrate Luxe and SkinBetter Science Alto Advanced Defense and Repair Serum.

Is sodium hydroxide safe in skincare?

In its concentrated raw form it is caustic, but that is not what ends up in a finished product. Once it has reacted with the acids in a formula it is neutralised, present at a fraction of a percent, and doing nothing but holding the pH steady, which is why it appears in some of the gentlest cleansers and creams on the shelf.

How to shop at ELLEMES

ELLEMES Medical Spa is an authorized retailer for every brand we carry, so what arrives at your door is the same stock our providers use in the treatment room. Our team can also help you build a routine around your skin rather than around a single product.

Browse more