The ingredient, explained
Potassium Nitrate
A controlled toothpaste trial tested potassium nitrate for dentin sensitivity.
Ingredient guide
What it is and what it does
Potassium nitrate
About this ingredient: EU CosIng ingredient registry (via Open Beauty Facts taxonomy) ↗
- Oral care
- Supports cosmetic functions in the mouth, such as cleaning or deodorising.
- Soothing
- A technical role associated with relieving skin or scalp discomfort.
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
Human oral care research
Sensitivity improved relative to placebo after two weeks.
What this does not tell us
Dental outcomes do not establish skin efficacy.
Sources for this summary. PubMed 42336824 ↗
Research review checked Oct 1, 2026
Review supplied candidate titles and available abstracts selectively for exact identity; targeted primary PubMed/publisher searches. This is not an exhaustive systematic review.
Ingredient research is not proof that a product containing this ingredient works.
Read the 1 selected study
Human oral care research · n=127
Toothpastes containing potassium nitrate alone versus potassium nitrate combined with aluminum lactate in reducing dentin hypersensitivity: a randomized controlled trial. ↗
BDJ open · 2026
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
Potassium nitrate
- INCI name on ingredient lists
- POTASSIUM NITRATE
- CAS registry number
- 7757-79-1
- EC number
- 231-818-8
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