The ingredient, explained
Ammonium Hydroxide
A published expert safety assessment covers this exact ingredient.
Ingredient guide
What it is and what it does
Ammonium hydroxyde
About this ingredient: EU CosIng ingredient registry (via Open Beauty Facts taxonomy) ↗
- Buffering
- Helps resist changes in a formula's pH.
- Denaturant
- Makes a product unpalatable, often in alcohol-containing formulas.
Function definitions: European Commission ingredient function definitions (SCCNFP/0299/00, pages 16 to 20) ↗
Registry functions describe possible formulation roles, not results for a finished product. A dictionary entry is not an approval or a safety assessment.
A closer look
What the research shows
Safety assessment
Panel judged safe as used in hair dyes/colors and described direct-skin cosmetics when formulated to be non-irritating.
What this does not tell us
Both equilibrate in water. Ammonium-ion, diammonium-phosphate and ammonium-salt read-across disclosed. Irritation/corrosion hazards and minimized hair-dye skin contact matter; occupational safety excluded.
Sources for this summary. Published source ↗
Research review checked Oct 1, 2026
Bounded review of local candidates, exact-name indexed primary journal/PubMed safety and topical searches; not a systematic review.
Ingredient research is not proof that a product containing this ingredient works.
Read the 1 selected study
Safety assessment
Safety Assessment of Ammonia and Ammonium Hydroxide as Used in Cosmetics ↗
· 2018
Follow the formula
Products containing this ingredient
From the wider catalogue. Linked by the ingredient list, without an efficacy ranking.
Names and identifiers
Registry identity
Ammonium hydroxyde
- INCI name on ingredient lists
- AMMONIUM HYDROXIDE
- CAS registry number
- 1336-21-6
- EC number
- 215-647-6
Sources for this ingredient record
- EU CosIng ingredient registry (via Open Beauty Facts taxonomy) ↗ · ODbL 1.0 (Open Beauty Facts database) · Recorded Aug 8, 2026