INCI name

POTASSIUM NITRATE

Potassium nitrate

An inorganic salt used mainly in toothpastes.

What it is

Potassium nitrate is the potassium salt of nitric acid. In the CosIng database it is listed for oral care and as a soothing agent.

Where it is used

Found mainly in toothpastes, especially those for sensitive teeth, and occasionally in other oral care products.

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.

Its presence alone does not say how a toothpaste performs; that depends on the whole formula and how it is used.

Functions

Oral care: Providing cosmetic effects to the oral cavity, e.g. cleansing, deodorising, protecting.
Soothing: Lightening discomfort of the skin or of the scalp.

EU regulation

This ingredient is not listed in the annexes of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 in the CosIng data.

Products with this ingredient (54)

Check a full ingredient list