Sodium chloride is an inorganic mineral salt made of sodium and chloride ions. In cosmetics it's used to adjust viscosity in surfactant solutions, aid product consistency and suspension, and serve as a simple bulking or texturizing agent.
Plain table salt used to thicken cleansers and washes.
Category
Cleansing
Type
Rheology Modifier
Ingredient Ratings
Overall Rating
Good
Comedogenic Risk
None
Skin Benefits
It helps cleansers feel thicker and more cushioning, making washing feel more controlled and pleasant, and can improve the perception of richness in lather-based products.
Uses In Skincare & Cosmetics
It's common in shampoos, body washes, and face cleansers to tune thickness and help particles stay evenly distributed.
Comedogenic Rating
This ingredient is not typically evaluated for comedogenicity, and no standardized rating is available.
Safety
It's generally considered low risk at typical use levels, but may cause dryness or transient stinging on irritated or broken skin and in the eye area. No notable cosmetic regulatory restrictions apply.
Is Sodium Chloride a Good Ingredient?
It rates Good as a dependable rheology modifier for surfactant systems that improves cleanser thickness and feel, with a long history of use. It can be drying or sting on compromised skin in higher amounts, which keeps it from a top score.