Sodium Chloride in Your Skincare: The Ingredient That’s Basically Table Salt With an Identity Crisis
Let’s talk about one of the most common, most unassuming ingredients in your beauty cabinet: sodium chloride.
Yes, babe. That’s salt. The same thing you shake onto fries and cry into during your third rewatch of Bridgerton. But in your shampoo? In your cleanser? In your exfoliating face scrub that costs more than your monthly coffee budget?
Turns out, sodium chloride has been moonlighting as a cosmetic multi-tasker, and I, your nosy little ingredient detective, have thoughts. Many of them. Let’s dive in.
🧂 Origin Story: Salt, the OG Mineral Diva
Sodium chloride is literally one of the oldest and most widely used substances in human history. We’ve been mining and harvesting it since 6000 BCE. Ancient Egyptians used it for preserving mummies. Roman soldiers were paid in salt (hence the word “salary”). Gandhi literally marched for it. It’s a whole vibe.
Cosmetically, it started popping up as more than just a bath soak when companies realized this basic mineral had some sneaky little benefits for thickening, scrubbing, and stabilizing their products.
In short: salt walked so other ingredients could stroll into your Sephora cart
Me in Sephora like…
💄 What Is It Actually Doing in My Products?
Let’s break this down. Sodium chloride can be found in:
Product Type
What It’s Doing
Shampoos
Thickening the formula. More goop = more perceived value.
Facial Cleansers
Texture enhancer or filler. Sometimes adds mild exfoliation.
Body Scrubs
Physical exfoliant. Scrubby, gritty, salty magic.
Toothpastes
Mild abrasive. Not just minty-fresh—now also mineral-fresh.
Bath Soaks
Soothing sore muscles. Just don’t confuse it with Epsom.
Setting Sprays/Makeup
Very rarely—it can show up as a stabilizer or fi
🧪 Pros: Salt Bae, But Make It Beauty
Texture Hero: Sodium chloride thickens your watery shampoo into that “rich girl lather” you secretly love.
Cost-Effective: It’s cheap as hell. Brands love it because it bulks up the product without bulking up the cost (for them).
Natural Exfoliant: Scrubs off dead skin like a salty little exfoliation goblin.
Soothing in Soaks: A hot bath with a sprinkle of salt can feel like a DIY spa moment… until your cat walks in and judges you.
⚠️ Cons: Just Because It’s Natural Doesn’t Mean It’s Nice
Can Be Drying: Salt pulls moisture. It’s basically the Regina George of ingredients: great at first, then ruins your life (or your moisture barrier).
Irritating in High Doses: Sensitive skin? Sodium chloride in scrubs or cleansers can feel like sandpaper on a sunburn.
No Skincare Superpowers: It’s not going to brighten, tighten, or make you look like you slept 8 hours. It’s functional, not transformational.
🧂 Kristen’s Rule of Salt Thumb: If it’s in your product as a helper, you’re fine. If it’s in there as the main event, maybe question your life choices (or at least your exfoliant).
🔬 Is It Safe Though?
Totally. Sodium chloride is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA and approved by the European Commission for use in cosmetics. It’s not toxic. It’s not carcinogenic. It’s just… salt.
However, if you’re dealing with:
eczema,
dry or compromised skin,
or you’ve ever cried into the ocean and regretted your choices,
…maybe keep an eye on how salty your routine gets.
⚖️ Final Verdict: Sidekick, Not Star
Sodium chloride is the beauty world’s background dancer. It’s not going to win any Oscars, but it’s holding the rhythm while your hyaluronic acid and retinol take center stage.
Would I toss a product just for including sodium chloride? Absolutely not. Would I question a $90 scrub that’s 75% salt? Oh honey, absolutely yes. Unless it comes with a spa technician and a free cocktail, we’re not paying luxury prices for pantry items.
📦 Quick Pros & Cons Recap
Pros:
Thickens texture (hello shampoo lather)
Cheap and functional
Decent exfoliant in scrubs
Safe and stable
Cons:
Can be drying and irritating in large amounts
Doesn’t actually treat skin concerns
Might be overused in cheap or filler-heavy products
👀 Final Thoughts From Your Ingredient Gossip Girl
Sodium chloride is the friend who brings paper plates to the party. Useful? Sure. Luxurious? Not exactly. But sometimes, that’s all your formula needs to stay together.
So the next time you see it on your ingredient list, just know: you’re looking at the world’s most extra table salt doing its best to stay relevant. And honestly? Same.
