An alkaline ammonia solution used to adjust pH.
What it is
Ammonium hydroxide is a solution of ammonia in water. CosIng lists it as buffering and denaturant. In the EU it falls under Annex III (substances subject to restrictions).
Where it is used
Mainly found in oxidative hair colours, bleaching and perming products, and in small amounts in other formulas to raise the pH.
Limits of interpretation
The INCI list shows which ingredients are present, not how much of each. Above 1%, ingredients are listed in descending order of weight; below 1% the order is free.
See the EU regulation section for the applicable limits and warnings.
Functions
- Buffering
- Stabilising the pH of an aqueous medium in a narrow range even if an acid or base is added. Altering and/or maintaining a cosmetic product's pH at the desired level.
- Denaturant
- Rendering cosmetics unpalatable. Mostly added to cosmetics containing ethyl alcohol to make it unsuitable for ingestion.
EU regulation
EU · Annex III, entry 4Ammonia
- Maximum concentration
- 6% (as NH3)
- Conditions and warnings
- Above 2%: Contains ammonia
- As of
- 3 November 2026 · (EC) 2009/1223
Products with this ingredient (111)
- False Lash Epic řasenka · Max Factor
- False Lash Effect Raven řasenka · Max Factor
- False Lash Effect Max Out podkladová báze · Max Factor
- Divine Lashes řasenka · Max Factor
- 2000 Calorie řasenka · Max Factor
- Masterpiece High Precision tekutá linka · Max Factor
- Colour X-pert linka na oči · Max Factor
- Tusz do rzęs Masterpiece Max · Max Factor
- Tusz do rzęs Masterpiece · Max Factor
- Tusz do rzęs False Lash Effect Clump Defy · Max Factor
- Tusz do rzęs False Lash Effect Raven Black · Max Factor
- Primer False Lash Effect Max Out · Max Factor