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Ingredient · Additive

Potassium hydroxide

Cleaner · 7/10, higher is cleaner

How we reached this

Caustic alkali used as pH adjuster — neutralizes carbomers in gels, saponifies fatty acids in soaps. At final formulation levels (post-reaction), inert. EWG hazard 1-2 in finished cosmetics.

Sources · 1

Products containing this · 2

About this rating

Ratings run 1–10, higher is cleaner, and are set editorially against the sources above — see the methodology page for how an ingredient rating becomes part of a product score. Last reviewed 2026-05-25.