Ammonium Hydroxide

A weakly basic ingredient that can adjust pH to a higher level.

Functions

Origin

Overview

Ammonium hydroxide is a considered a weak base. Therefore, it can be used as a pH adjuster in skincare products to create a more basic or more alkaline environment.

This is important for a several reasons. Some ingredients require a higher pH in order to maintain their integrity, such as zinc oxide, which requires a pH around seven. Another example is hydroxyethyl cellulose, a plant-based thickener that will only swell in water when the pH is increased above eight.

For these reasons, having a safe and weak pH adjuster can be critical to the stability and consistency of skincare products. Ammonium hydroxide can also be used as a denaturant.