Sodium is known for its anti-aging properties. Sodium Hydroxide is, however, a known irritant. They took her to the hospital and she is fine now. It’s also used in soap-making to turn fats and oils into soap. A pH greater than 7 is basic. 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. In high concentrations, it’s a significant skin sensitizer. It 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. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved sodium hydroxide as GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) as a direct food additive. 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. On one hand, if a product is too acidic it may irritate the skin or cause a stinging sensation. If you are familiar with lye you made have heard some scary things. However, it is primarily used in the washing and chemical peeling of produce. Sodium hydroxide is used to saponify oils, meaning that it allows oils to lather and foam in soaps and cleansers. Not to worry I decided not to go running for the hills, as it was nothing a little research and education couldn’t fix so bring on the science! One of the things that I have noticed is that Sodium Hydroxide will make an appearance every now and then in some of my most common hair and skin products which made me wonder how harmful my basic products could be especially with daily use. This is very important to keep you hydrated. * 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. 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. Skin. References for this information: Solutions as weak as .12% have shown to destruct healthy skin cells within one hour. Who is it for?All skin types except those that have an identified allergy to it. Synergetic ingredients:Works well with most ingredients. Drain cleaners that contain sodium hydroxide convert fats and grease that can clog pipes into soap, which dissolves in water. has approved sodium hydroxide as GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) as a direct food additive. Everything You Need to Know about Hyaluronic Acid. ‘Safety Assessment of Inorganic Hydroxides as Used in Cosmetics, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel. * Also known as lye, caustic soda, soda lye or sodium hydrate. 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. Although Sodium Hydroxide has been linked to cancer, specifically of the esophagus, the CDC found that these cases were after 15 - 40 years of exposure, and were caused by corrosion induced by Sodium Hydroxide and "were most likely the result of tissue destruction and scar formation rather than a direct carcinogenic action of sodium hydroxide itself."