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ph-adjuster

Potassium Hydroxide

Generally safe·Strong evidence

Used like sodium hydroxide to adjust pH in cosmetics at very low levels. At finished-product pH, it is neutralized and well tolerated.

Questions

Is potassium hydroxide in skincare dangerous?
Potassium hydroxide is used in cosmetics at very low, carefully buffered concentrations, where published reviews do not identify safety concerns. In these formulas, it functions as a pH adjuster and emulsifier, not as a caustic ingredient.
What does potassium hydroxide do in cosmetics?
Potassium hydroxide is used to neutralize fatty acids and stabilize emulsions in creams and soaps. It is also used to adjust pH to safe, skin-compatible levels in finished products.
Can potassium hydroxide burn skin?
In finished skincare products, potassium hydroxide is present in negligible amounts at neutral pH; risk of burns is not a published concern. The ingredient is tightly regulated and only allowed at levels safe for consumer use.

Products with Potassium Hydroxide

References

Cosmetic information for general education, not medical advice. A verdict is a reading of the published evidence, never a guarantee for your skin: any ingredient can irritate someone, so patch test new products and see a professional if you react. Concern is graded on cited evidence, never on hazard-score lists. See how we score.