Sodium Phosphate
What Is It?
Sodium Phosphate, Disodium Phosphate and Trisodium Phosphate occur as a white crystalline solids. These ingredients are also called monobasic sodium phosphate, dibasic sodium phosphate and tribasic sodium phosphate. In cosmetics and personal care products, the Sodium Phosphate ingredients are used in the formulation of bath products, colognes, dentifrices, mouthwashes, hair conditioners, hair dyes and colors, permanent waves, shampoos, makeup and skin care products.
Why Is It Used?
Sodium Phosphate and Disodium Phosphate function as buffering agents. Disodium Phosphate also functions as a corrosion inhibitorIngredients that prevent the corrosion (rust) of metallic materials used in cosmetic packaging.. Trisodium Phosphate functions as a chelating agentIngredients that inactivate metallic ions so as to prevent the deterioration of cosmetic products. and a pH adjusterIngredients that are used to control the pH of cosmetic products..
Scientific Facts
Sodium Phosphate, especially Trisodium Phosphate (TSP) is an effective cleaning agent and is used in a variety of applications. It can be found as an additive in food, in household cleaners and detergents. Sodium Phosphate and Disodium Phosphate may be used in some laxatives, especially those used to cleanse the bowel before diagnostic procedures such as colonoscopies.
Safety Information
Based on a safety review, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) includes Sodium Phosphate (mono-, di- and tribasic) among the substances considered Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS“GRAS” is an acronym for the phrase Generally Recognized As Safe. Under sections 201(s) and 409 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the Act), any substance that is intentionally added to food is a food additive, that is subject to premarket review and approval by FDA, unless the substance is generally recognized, among qualified experts, as having been adequately shown to be safe under the conditions of its intended use, or unless the use of the substance is otherwise excluded from the definition of a food additive.) for use as a multiple purpose food substances, as a nutrient and as a sequestrant. Sodium Phosphate (mono- and dibasic) is also approved for use as an ingredient in Over-The-Counter (OTC) laxative drug products. The Cosmetic Ingredient ReviewThe Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) was established in 1976 as an independent safety review program for cosmetic ingredients. The CIR Expert Panel consists of independent experts in dermatology, toxicology, pharmacolgy and veterinary medicine. The CIR includes participation by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration and the Consumer Federation of America. (CIR) Expert Panel has deferred evaluation of these ingredients because the safety has been assessed by FDA. This deferral of review is according to the provisions of the CIR Procedures.
The FDA’s Select Committee on GRAS Substances (SCOGS) concluded that there was no evidence in the available information on Sodium Phosphate (mono-, di-, and tribasic) that demonstrates, or suggests reasonable grounds to suspect, a hazard to the public when it is used at levels that are now current or might reasonably be expected in the future.
Link to FDA Code of Federal Regulations for Sodium Phosphate
The Sodium Phosphate ingredients may be used in cosmetics and personal care products marketed in Europe according to the general provisions of the Cosmetics Regulation of the European Union.
More Scientific Information
The Sodium Phosphate ingredients are inorganic salts. In cosmetics and personal care products, Sodium Phosphate and Disodium Phosphate function as buffering agents. Disodium Phosphate also functions as a corrosion inhibitor. Trisodium Phosphate functions as a chelating agent and a pHA measurement of the acidity or basicity of a substance. pH is the negative logarithm (base 10) of the concentration of hydrogen ions in solution. Water has a concentration of hydrogen ions of 1.0 x 10-7, and thus has a pH of 7. A pH of 7 is considered neutral, a pH lower than 7 is considered acidic, and a pH higher than 7 is considered basic. adjuster.
Resources
Find out more about the regulation of over-the-counter drugs by the Food and Drug Administration
Find out more about the regulation of Food Additives by the Food and Drug Administration