Ammonium Chloride
INCI: AMMONIUM CHLORIDE
A pH buffer and texture modifier used to stabilise skincare formulations
Best For Skin Types
All
Usage Frequency
As directed by product instructions
What Is Ammonium Chloride?
Ammonium chloride is an inorganic salt compound commonly used in skincare formulations as a functional ingredient rather than an active treatment. It serves primarily as a buffering agent, helping to maintain the pH balance of products, and as a viscosity controller to adjust texture and consistency.
In cosmetic products, it works behind the scenes to ensure stability and sensory experience rather than delivering direct therapeutic benefits to the skin. It is a well-established ingredient in the cosmetic industry with a long history of safe use.
How It Works
Ammonium chloride functions as a buffer by releasing or absorbing hydrogen ions, which helps resist changes in pH when other ingredients are added or when the formula is exposed to external conditions. This buffering capacity is particularly valuable in products containing active ingredients that require a specific pH range to remain stable and effective.
As a viscosity controller, it influences how the product flows and feels during application, contributing to the overall sensory experience without altering the active ingredients' performance.
Clinical Evidence & References
Ammonium chloride is primarily a functional cosmetic ingredient rather than one studied for direct skin benefits. The evidence base focuses on its role in formulation chemistry and safety rather than therapeutic outcomes. It has been safely used in cosmetics for decades with a well-established safety profile.
Research into its use tends to be within materials science and cosmetic chemistry contexts rather than dermatological efficacy studies, reflecting its role as a formulation tool rather than an active skincare component.
How to Use
Since ammonium chloride is a formulation ingredient, consumers do not need to adjust their usage based on its presence. It is simply part of the product's overall composition. Check product instructions for the specific skincare item containing it, as usage frequency depends on the product type rather than this ingredient alone.
Safety & Precautions
Regulatory information
Standardised cosmetic-ingredient identifiers used by regulators.
Show identifiers
- INCI Name
- AMMONIUM CHLORIDE
- INN Name
- ammonium chloride
- EC Number
- 235-186-4
- Pharmacopoeia Name
- ammonii chloridum
- Function
- Buffering, Masking, Viscosity Controlling
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