Hydrochloric Acid
What Hydrochloric Acid is & what it does
Hydrochloric Acid is a simple strong inorganic acid, a water solution of hydrogen chloride. In cosmetic and sunscreen manufacturing it is used purely as a pH adjuster, added in small amounts to bring a formula to its target acidity. By the time the product is finished it is neutralized and present only as part of the buffered system, not as a free acid.
What does Hydrochloric Acid do in skincare?
In cosmetics Hydrochloric Acid is used solely as a pH adjuster. Small amounts are added during manufacturing to bring a formula to its target acidity, after which it is neutralized within the buffered system. It is not present as a free, active acid in the finished product.
Is Hydrochloric Acid safe in cosmetics?
As a raw material Hydrochloric Acid is corrosive, but in cosmetics it is used only in tiny, neutralized amounts to set pH. By the time a product is finished it exists as part of the balanced, buffered formula rather than a strong acid. We do not make medical claims, so follow the finished product's guidance.
Is Hydrochloric Acid natural or synthetic?
The hydrochloric acid used in manufacturing is produced industrially, so it is classed as synthetic. Chemically it is simply hydrogen chloride dissolved in water. The same compound also occurs naturally, for example in stomach acid.
Sunscreens with Hydrochloric Acid
We rate 10 sunscreens that contain it:
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Sesderma Repaskin Sensitive Sunscreen Aerosol SPF 50+
74/100
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SophieSkin BB Cream SPF 50
73/100
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Sesderma Repaskin Invisible Fluid Facial Sunscreen SPF 50
73/100
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Sesderma Repaskin Dry Touch Spf 50
69/100
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Sesderma Repaskin Foto Protector Facial Color SPF 50 Silky Touch
68/100
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Sesderma Repaskin Foto Protector Facial SPF 50 Silky Touch
68/100
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Sesderma Repaskin Silk Touch Facial Sunscreen SPF 50
68/100
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Sesderma Repaskin Transparent Sunscreen Spray SPF 50+
64/100
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Sesderma Repaskin Silk Touch Facial Sunscreen SPF 30
59/100
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Sesderma Repaskin Transparent Sunscreen Spray SPF 30
58/100