Sodium Hydroxide
Sodium Hydroxide is a buffering and denaturant ingredient. It’s in 2,058 products on Poliage, most often body lotion, moisturizer and body wash. Avoid lists on Poliage that include it: none.
Updated October 21, 2026
In plain English
Lye. Used in small amounts to adjust pH, or to turn fats into soap.
What it does
Contains Sodium Hydroxide: buffering
Function listed in CosIng
Contains Sodium Hydroxide: denaturant
Function listed in CosIng
Source: CosIng, the European Commission cosmetic ingredient database, ref 37890, accessed October 22, 2026. Also listed as natrii hydroxidum.
Products that contain Sodium Hydroxide
L’Oréal
Banana hair food
Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, exfoliating acid, salicylic acid, coconut derivatives
The Body Shop
Banana Smooth & Shine Conditioner
Conditioner · Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens
Glow Recipe
Banana Souffle Moisture Cream
Moisturizer · Lists fragrance, coconut derivatives
l-oreal
BarberClub Nettoyant 3 en 1 Barbe + Visage + Cheveux
Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, drying alcohol, exfoliating acid, essential oils, salicylic acid, coconut derivatives
Naturium
Barrier Bounce Serum
Serum · Lists exfoliating acid
Nivea
Basil & White Tea
Body wash · Lists fragrance, sulfates, chemical UV filters, coconut derivatives
Le Labo
Basil BODY CREAM
Body lotion · Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, silicones, coconut derivatives
Le Labo
Basil SHOWER GEL
Body wash · Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, coconut derivatives
bath and body works
Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, parabens, silicones, formaldehyde releasers
bath and body works iced cinnamon rolls hand soap
Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, sulfates, chemical UV filters, coconut derivatives
bath and body works pearberry
Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, parabens, silicones, formaldehyde releasers
Bath and Body Works Sugar Plum Swirl Body Lotion
Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, drying alcohol, parabens, silicones, formaldehyde releasers
bath ane and body soap
Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, chemical UV filters
L’Oréal
Bath therapy - delighting blend
Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, drying alcohol, exfoliating acid, salicylic acid, coconut derivatives
Cosmia
baume après rasage ACTIV
Lists fragrance, drying alcohol
Bayer
Bayer Hydralin - Gyn
Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, coconut derivatives
Cien
BB Cream 6 en 1 clair
Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, silicones, chemical UV filters
Be Atomic
Be Atomic bain douche moussant senteur fleur de coton
Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, sulfates
Yves Rocher
Beauté des pieds
Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, drying alcohol
Auchan
Beauty Eau micellaire
Lists fragrance
Balea
Beauty Expert Liquid Peeling
Lists exfoliating acid, salicylic acid
Sephora
Beauty insider
Lists coconut derivatives
Krave
Beet The Sun SPF 40 PA+++: Lightweight Transparent Sunscreen
Sunscreen · None of Poliage’s flag groups listed
R+Co
BEL AIR Smoothing Conditioner + Anti-Oxidant Complex
Conditioner · Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, drying alcohol
Related guides
How to read an ingredient list
What the ingredient list on a beauty product tells you, what the names mean, and what it leaves out, using FDA and EU labeling rules.
Does ingredient order show how much is in a product?
Ingredient lists run from most to least, but only down to 1%. Below that, any order is allowed. What the order shows and what it hides.
How do you patch test a new product?
What the AAD, FDA and DermNet say about testing a small area, the FDA hair dye skin test, in-office patch tests, and contact allergy basics.