Potassium Hydroxide

The Basics On Potassium Hydroxide

What is Potassium Hydroxide?

Also known as lye, a highly alkaline ingredient used in small amounts in cosmetics.

What are other names for Potassium Hydroxide?

CAUSTIC POTASH, CAUSTIC POTASH; POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE; POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE, POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE, and POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE (K(OH))

What is Potassium Hydroxide used for?

Potassium hydroxide is a highly alkaline ingredient that is used in small amounts in cosmetics and personal care products to establish and hold the pH of a product. Potassium hydroxide is noteworthy as the precursor to most soft and liquid soaps, but can also be used in the formulation of 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.

How Potassium Hydroxide is classified

Cleansing Agents

Recommendations for using Potassium Hydroxide during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Limited data suggests no known risk

 

Potassium Hydroxide During Pregnancy

What we know about using Potassium Hydroxide while pregnant or breastfeeding

Limited information available.

Magnesium Hydroxide The reproductive effects of magnesium hydroxide (pH = 10) were studied in rats that received the test material via gavage. 9 The study followed OECD guideline 422. Groups of 10 male and 10 female Wistar rats received 0, 110, 330, or 1000 mg/kg bw/day magnesium hydroxide in water daily. Males were exposed for 29 days (i.e., 2 weeks prior to mating, during mating, and up until treatment end) and females were exposed for 41-45 days (i.e., 2 weeks prior to mating, during mating, during gestation, and during at least 4 days of lactation). No treatmentrelated effects were observed on clinical signs, body weight or weight gain, feed consumption, or hematology. In parental males, lower total protein levels (330 and 1000 mg/kg dose groups), lower albumin levels (1000 mg/kg dose group), and lower calcium levels (330 and 1000 mg/kg dose groups) in the blood, and lower sodium and potassium excretion (1000 mg/kg dose group) and higher calcium concentration in urine (1000 mg/kg dose group) were observed; however, these changes only just exceeded or remained within normal ranges and there were no corresponding histopathological changes. No toxicologically relevant changes from the test material were observed in parental organ weights or in gross pathology. There were no treatment related effects on offspring development. The no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) for parental systemic effects, parental reproductive effects, and offspring effects in this one generation rat study of magnesium hydroxide is 1000 mg/kg bw/day.

General safety info about Potassium Hydroxide from CIR

The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel reviewed the safety of inorganic hydroxides, which function in cosmetics primarily as pH adjusters. Industry has indicated these ingredients may also function as depilating agents and hair waving/straightening agents. The Panel considered relevant data related to these ingredients. The Panel concluded that these inorganic hydroxides are safe in hair straighteners under conditions of recommended use; hairdressers should avoid skin contact and minimize consumer skin exposure. These ingredients are safe for all other present practices of use and concentration described in this safety assessment when formulated to be nonirritating.

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Products where you might find Potassium Hydroxide

Roll over or click image to zoom in Deborah Lippmann Exfoliating Cuticle Treatment Pen