Sodium Sulfite
What is it?
Sodium Sulfite, Potassium Sulfite, Ammonium Sulfite, Sodium Bisulfite, Ammonium Bisulfite, Sodium Metabisulfite and Potassium Metabisulfite are inorganic sulfite salts. In cosmetics and personal care products, these ingredients are used in the formulation of permanent waves, hair bleaches, hair dyes, colors and tints, and in some bath and skin care products.
Safety Information
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) includes Sodium Sulfite, Sodium Bisulfite, Potassium Bisulfite, Sodium Metabisulfite and Potassium Metabisulfite on its list of substances considered Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) for use as chemical preservatives in food. They are not to be used in meats, in foods recognized as sources of vitamin B1, or on raw fruits and vegetables. Because some people are sensitive to sulfites, food containing these ingredients must be clearly labeled. More information about the use of sulfites in food can be found at
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/fdsulfit.html
The safety of Sodium Sulfite, Potassium Sulfite, Ammonium Sulfite, Sodium Bisulfite, Ammonium Bisulfite, Sodium Metabisulfite and Potassium Metabisulfite has been assessed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel. The CIR Expert Panel evaluated the scientific data and concluded that all seven ingredients were safe as used in cosmetics and personal care products.
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/fdsulfit.html
The safety of Sodium Sulfite, Potassium Sulfite, Ammonium Sulfite, Sodium Bisulfite, Ammonium Bisulfite, Sodium Metabisulfite and Potassium Metabisulfite has been assessed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel. The CIR Expert Panel evaluated the scientific data and concluded that all seven ingredients were safe as used in cosmetics and personal care products.
Why is it used in cosmetics and personal care products?
All these ingredients function as reducing agents, which means they donate hydrogen molecules to other substances in cosmetics and personal care products. With the exception of Sodium Metabisulfite, these ingredients also modify hair fibers to facilitate changes to the structure of the fibers, such as with permanent waves or with hair straightening. In addition, Sodium Sulfite, Potassium Sulfite, Sodium Bisulfite and Sodium Metabisulfite function as antioxidants preventing or slowing deterioration of cosmetics and personal care products caused by chemical reactions with oxygen.
Scientific facts:
Sodium Sulfite, Sodium Bisulfite, Potassium Bisulfite, Sodium Metabisulfite and Potassium Metabisulfite are referred to as sulfiting agents because they release sulfur dioxide under certain conditions.
