The ingredient, explained
Sodium Chloride
Two small studies tested sodium chloride added to a urea cream.
Ingredient guide
What it is and what it does
Sodium chloride
About this ingredient: EU CosIng ingredient registry (via Open Beauty Facts taxonomy) ↗
- Bulking
- Changes a product's bulk density.
- Masking
- Reduces or conceals the formula's underlying odour or taste.
- Oral care
- Supports cosmetic functions in the mouth, such as cleaning or deodorising.
- Viscosity controlling
- Adjusts how thick or fluid a product is.
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 research on a combination
Adding sodium chloride to a urea cream changed instrumental hydration-related measures in 22 people with atopic dermatitis. In 23 older volunteers, the corresponding comparison did not show an advantage from adding sodium chloride.
What this does not tell us
Both creams already contained urea. The authors questioned the clinical meaning of the impedance outcomes; these results do not establish a general benefit for sodium chloride.
Sources for this summary. PubMed 11174088 ↗PubMed 12077469 ↗
Research review checked Oct 1, 2026
Bounded review of 10 local candidate records, selected relevant abstracts, and targeted exact-name primary-source searches. Not a systematic review.
Ingredient research is not proof that a product containing this ingredient works.
Read the 2 selected studies
Human research on a combination · n=23
Urea and sodium chloride in moisturisers for skin of the elderly--a comparative, double-blind, randomised study. ↗
Skin pharmacology and applied skin physiology · 2002
Human research on a combination · n=22
Do urea and sodium chloride together increase the efficacy of moisturisers for atopic dermatitis Skin? A comparative, double-blind and randomised study. ↗
Skin pharmacology and applied skin physiology · 2001
Follow the formula
Products containing this ingredient
From the Serenfold edit. Linked by the ingredient list, without an efficacy ranking.
Names and identifiers
Registry identity
Sodium chloride
- INCI name on ingredient lists
- SODIUM CHLORIDE
- CAS registry number
- 7647-14-5
- EC number
- 231-598-3
Other recorded names (1)
- natrii chloridum
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