An inorganic sulfur salt used as an antioxidant, preservative and reducing agent.
What it is
Sodium bisulfite (sodium hydrogen sulfite) is an inorganic sulfur salt. CosIng lists it as antioxidant, hair waving or straightening, preservative and reducing agent. In the EU it is listed in Annex V (allowed preservatives) and in Annex III (restricted substances) for oxidative hair dyes, hair straightening products and self-tanning products.
Where it is used
Used in hair dyes, hair straightening products, self-tanners and some other formulas.
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, which differ by product type. The label does not show the concentration actually used.
Functions
- Antioxidant
- Inhibiting reactions promoted by oxygen, thus avoiding oxidation and rancidity.
- Hair waving or straightening
- Modifying the chemical structure of the hair, allowing it to be set in the style required (permanent waves or hair straightening).
- Preservative
- Exclusively or mainly intended to inhibit the development of micro-organisms in the cosmetic product. All authorised preservatives are substances in the positive list of Annex V to the Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009.
- Reducing
- Changing the chemical nature of another ingredient by adding hydrogen (or removing oxygen).
EU regulation
- Maximum concentration
- 0.2% (as free SO2)
- As of
- 3 November 2026 · (EC) 2009/1223
- Product type
- (a) Oxidative hair dye products (b) Hair straightening products (c) Self-tanning products for the face (d) Other self-tanning products
- Maximum concentration
- (a) 0.67% (as free SO2) (b) 6.7% (as free SO2) (c) 0.45% (as free SO2) (d) 0.40% (as free SO2)
- As of
- 3 November 2026 · (EC) 2009/1223
Products with this ingredient (26)
- I Heart Revolution Grapefruit Vit Fix 2in1 Brow Serum and Gel · Revolution
- Partners in Brows Makeup Set · Inglot
- PURE Peeling oczyszczający do skóry głowy · Vis Plantis
- Oczyszczający peeling trychologiczny do skóry głowy · Vis Plantis
- kwasowa kuracja złuszczająca do ciała, 100 ml · Tołpa
- turbo-peeling potrójna moc złuszczania, 200 ml · Tołpa
- złuszczający koncentrat zwężający pory, 75 ml · Tołpa
- Rozjaśniający krem do rąk redukcja przebarwień 40 ml HAND SCREEN · Floslek
- go for glow... VITAMIN C Tonik witalizujący 200 ml · Floslek
- Serum do powiek i pod oczy ze świetlikiem i witaminą C 15 ml · Floslek
- go for glow…. VITAMIN C Rozjaśniające serum VIT C 10% 30 ml · Floslek
- WHITE and BEAUTY Żel rozjaśniający do higieny intymnej 225 ml · Floslek