Sodium Chloride
Sodium chloride is the scientific name for common table salt. In beauty products it is used mainly as a thickener, texture enhancer and preservative. You will spot it in everything from shampoos and body washes to bath salts and scrubs.
How it works in skincare
In cosmetics and skincare, sodium chloride alters the viscosity of liquid formulations, helping to create the desired thickness and luxurious feel. It also functions as a mild abrasive in physical exfoliators and as a binding agent in bath salts and soap bars. Because it is a natural antimicrobial, it can support product preservation while giving a clean, crisp feel on skin and hair.
Key benefits
- Helps thicken gels and liquids for better texture and easier application
- Acts as a gentle physical exfoliant in scrubs
- Enhances lather and foam in cleansers and shampoos
- Provides a refreshing, tingly sensation in bath products
- Supports product preservation and stability
- Adds a crisp, clean feel to hair after rinsing
Best for
normal skin, oily skin, combination skin, acne-prone skin
Where it comes from
Sodium chloride is a naturally occurring mineral harvested from underground rock salt deposits or evaporated from seawater.
Products with Sodium Chloride
Not every product on UK Lips lists a full ingredient breakdown — so there may be many more formulas that contain Sodium Chloride than we can show here. These are the comparisons where we’ve confirmed it in the listed ingredients.