Ingredient · dataset v56
Sodium Hydroxide and fungal acne
No known trigger
Why it's not a known trigger
A mineral alkali used dropwise to set pH; it offers no carbon food and leaves only the adjusted pH behind in the finished product.
Sounds harsh, but only the pH remains, not the alkali itself.
Evidence strength
Judged neutral — no trigger evidence
Function
pH adjuster
Also listed as
Potassium Hydroxide
Checked products with this ingredient (28)
Product types: Antifungal treatments, Body care, Cleansers, Makeup, Masks, Micellar waters, Moisturizers, Serums & Treatments, Shampoos
Antifungal treatments (7)
- Nizoral A-D Anti-Dandruff Shampoo (Ketoconazole 1%)
- Vanicream Dandruff Shampoo (Pyrithione Zinc 2%)
- PanOxyl Acne Creamy Wash (Benzoyl Peroxide 4%)
- Touch Acne Treatment Gel (Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5%)
- Dr. Song 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide Advanced Acne Gel
- Humane Maximum-Strength Acne Wash 8 oz
- Neutrogena Clear Pore Cleanser/Mask 4.2 oz
Body care (4)
- Vanicream Gentle Body Wash
- Medix 5.5 Glycolic + Lactic Acid Exfoliating Body Wash 15 oz
- Makari Glycolic + Lactic Acid + Niacinamide Body Wash 15 oz
- SEEN Body Wash Fragrance Free 10 fl oz
Cleansers (4)
- Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser
- Simple Water Boost Micellar Facial Gel Wash
- Sebamed Clear Face Cleansing Foam
- SVR Sebiaclear Foaming Gel 400 ml
Makeup (1)
Masks (1)
Micellar waters (1)
Moisturizers (3)
- Uriage Bariederm Cica Daily Gel-Cream
- Hada Labo Gokujyun Premium Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Lotion 170ml
- Sebamed Clear Face Care Gel 50 ml
Serums & Treatments (4)
- The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution 30 ml
- Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant 100 ml
- SVR [B3] Ampoule Hydra 30 ml
- Geek & Gorgeous C-Glow 15% Vitamin C Serum 30 ml
Shampoos (3)
- Happy Cappy Medicated Shampoo & Body Wash
- K18 Peptide Prep Detox Shampoo 8.5 oz
- Noble Formula 2% Pyrithione Zinc Shampoo 8 fl oz
Related ph adjuster
- Acetic Acid — No known trigger
- Aminomethyl Propanol — No known trigger
- Arginine — No known trigger
- Citric Acid — No known trigger
- Diisopropanolamine — No known trigger
- Hydrochloric Acid — No known trigger
- Lactic Acid — No known trigger
- Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate — No known trigger
Sources
EU CosIng database — search the INCI name
Last reviewed: 2026-10-13 (dataset v56).
Questions
Does Sodium Hydroxide trigger fungal acne?
No known trigger: A mineral alkali used dropwise to set pH; it offers no carbon food and leaves only the adjusted pH behind in the finished product.
Does Sodium Hydroxide feed Malassezia?
No known link: Sodium Hydroxide is judged with no known trigger. One screened ingredient is not a product verdict — when in doubt, ask a dermatologist.
Is this medical advice?
No. We screen ingredient lists; we never diagnose, treat, or certify products. When in doubt, ask a dermatologist.
Check a full list containing Sodium Hydroxide →
Not medical advice: we screen ingredient lists for potential triggers — we never diagnose, treat, or certify products. Dataset v56.