Sodium Sulfite

Sodium Sulfite is an inorganic reducing agent and the sodium salt of sulfurous acid, readily soluble in water. In cosmetics it acts as an antioxidant preservative and oxygen scavenger to limit oxidation and maintain product quality.
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Ingredient Snapshot

Overview
An antioxidant that helps prevent products from oxidizing over time.
Category
Antioxidant, Preservative
Type
Antioxidant

Ingredient Ratings

Overall Rating

Fair

Comedogenic Risk

None

Skin Benefits

It helps products stay fresh longer by slowing oxidative changes, preserving look and scent, but offers little direct skin improvement beyond maintaining formula stability.

Uses In Skincare & Cosmetics

It's used in serums, essences, creams, and hair treatments where color or fragrance stability matters.

Comedogenic Rating

This ingredient is not typically evaluated for comedogenicity, and no standardized rating is available.

Safety

It can cause irritation or sensitivity in some users, and sulfite-sensitive individuals, including certain asthmatics, may react even at low levels. It's typically used at low concentrations; avoid use on broken or highly reactive skin.

Is Sodium Sulfite a Good Ingredient?

It rates Fair: it functions well as an antioxidant and reducing agent that protects formulas, but it provides minimal direct skin benefit and carries irritation or sensitization risk for some individuals, including those sensitive to sulfites.

Products with Sodium Sulfite

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