The ingredient, explained

Sodium Bicarbonate

Sodium Bicarbonate has published research relevant to cosmetic safety assessment.

AbrasiveBufferingDeodorantOral careSkin protecting

Explore connections

Ingredient guide

What it is and what it does

Sodium hydrogencarbonate

About this ingredient: EU CosIng ingredient registry (via Open Beauty Facts taxonomy) ↗

Abrasive: Provides mechanical surface cleaning or polishing.
Buffering: Helps resist changes in a formula's pH.
Deodorant: Helps reduce or mask unwanted body odour.
Oral care: Supports cosmetic functions in the mouth, such as cleaning or deodorising.
Skin protecting: A technical role associated with protecting skin from external factors.

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

The report reviews ingredient-specific irritation, mutagenicity and systemic studies while distinguishing the greater alkalinity-related irritation of sodium carbonate.

What this does not tell us

Historical safety assessment under described cosmetic uses, not clinical skin benefits. Product pH, dilution and exposure site affect interpretation.

Sources for this summary. DOI 10.3109/10915818709095491 ↗

Research review checked Oct 1, 2026

Selective exact-identity review of 10 supplied local candidates and the targeted primary-source search recorded below. Bounded review, not a systematic search.