Ingredient Dictionary

AMMONIUM HYDROXIDE

Ammonium hydroxide is a solution of ammonia in water.

How much products actually contain

No product states its amount yet.

Of the products containing it, 6 list it before the 1% line and 3 after it (usually 1% or less).

Products using this ingredient

8 of 8 confirmed · likeliest to carry enough first

Definition

Ammonium hydroxide is a solution of ammonia in water. It has a role as a food acidity regulator.

Source: PubChem

Cosmetic roles

Keeps pH steadyBUFFERINGMakes alcohol undrinkableDENATURANT

Safety & regulatory references

Argentina · Brazil

Maximum concentration permitted at final product : 6% calculated as NH3
Use conditions and warnings that must appear on the label : Above 2%: contains ammonia

ASEAN

Maximum authorised concentration in the finished cosmetic product : 6% calculated as NH3
Conditions of use and warning which must be printed on the labels : Above 2%: Contains ammonia

Source: MFDS (Korea) cosmetic regulatory information

Korea’s toxic-substance GHS classification: Danger · H400 (category 1) · H314 (category 1) · H331 (category 3) · +2 more

Source: Korea toxic substances GHS register (NIER)

Restriction III/4 · Other restriction: ban substances that deplete the ozone layer

Source: EU CosIng ingredient list

Reviewed by CIR: Final Report: Safety Assessment of Ammonia and Ammonium Hydroxide as Used in Cosmetics

Source: US Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)

More data — names, identifiers, properties, test records, literature

Official labels & definitions

JCIA labelling name アンモニア水: 本品は、アンモニアの水溶液であり、次の化学式で表される。

Source: JCIA labelling names (Japan)

Names & identifiers

AMMONIUM HYDROXIDEINCI암모늄하이드록사이드Korean label name (MFDS standard)アンモニア水Japanese labelling name

CAS No.chemical registry number: 1336-21-6
EC No.EU chemical inventory number: 215-647-6
DTXSIDUS EPA chemical ID: DTXSID4020080
DTXCIDUS EPA compound ID: DTXCID8080

IUPAC: Ammonium hydroxide
Molecular formula: H5NO
Molecular weight: 35.046 g/mol

Measured properties

Appearance: Ammonium hydroxide appears as a colorless aqueous solution. Concentration of ammonia ranges up to approximately 30%. Ammonia vapors (which arise from the solution) irritate the eyes. · Liquid, Other Solid, CBI, Gas Vapor
Odour: Intense, pungent, suffocating odor
Boiling point: 38 °C (25%) · 36 °C @760 [mm Hg]
Melting point: -58 °C (25%) · -77 °C
Solubility: Exists only in solution · Solubility in water: miscible
Density: About 0.90 @ 25 °C/25 °C · Relative density (water = 1): 0.9 (25%)
pH: pH= 11.6 (1.0 N solution), 11.1 (0.1 N solution), 10.6 (0.01 N solution)
Dissociation constant: pKb= 4.767, Kb= 1.710X10-5 at 20 °C, pKb= 4.751, Kb= 1.774X10-5 at 25 °C, pKb= 4.740, Kb= 1.820X10-5 at 30 °C
Colour: colourless
Odour threshold: 50 ppm
Melting/freezing point: -77 ℃
Initial boiling point and range: 36 ℃
Vapour pressure: 48 ㎪(20℃, 25%)
Water solubility: 100 g/100㎖(25℃ (est.))
Vapour density: 1.2 (0.6-1.2)
Relative density: 0.9
n-Octanol/water partition coefficient (Kow): -2.66 (est.)
Molecular weight: 35.05

Values measured on the substance itself. The KOSHA data are a reference for writing and reviewing safety data sheets, not a specification for a commercial raw material.

Source: PubChem · KOSHA safety data sheets (Korea)

What products actually use it for

What the 295 products reported to the US EPA with this ingredient use it for. Products outside cosmetics are included, so the top few rows are its main uses.

pH regulating agent203
No specific technical function16
Cleaning agent9
Processing aids not otherwise specified8
Solvent7
Binder6
Soil amendments4
Surfactant (surface active agent)4

25 other uses

Intermediate3
Catalyst2
Lubricating agent2
Bleaching agent2
Pharmaceutical (EPA)2
Adhesion/cohesion promoter2
Diluent2
Refrigerants2
Chemical reaction regulator2
Etching agent2
Stabilizing agent2
Preservative2
Tanning agents not otherwise specified1
Anti-scaling agent1
Flame retardant1
Flavouring and nutrient1
Surface modifier1
Leavening agent (EPA)1
Solubility enhancer1
Reducing agent1
Corrosion inhibitor1
Solids separation (precipitating) agent, not other1
Semiconductor and photovoltaic agent1
Plating agent1
Abrasive1

Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard

Irritation and sensitisation studies

7 skin studies and 3 eye studies are on record.

Classed as highly irritating1

The study conclusions largely agree (100%). These tests are on the raw material itself; irritation at the amount in a finished product is a different question.

See all 10 studies

Classification not possible
Skin Sensitization · Screening
Category 1
Skin Irritation · Screening
Skin Corr. 1B
Skin Irritation · Authoritative
Category 6.3A (Category 2)
Skin Irritation · Read Across
Category 8.2B (Category 1B)
Skin Irritation · Read Across
Category 8.2C (Category 1C)
Skin Irritation · Read Across
Skin corrosion/irritation - Category 1
Skin Irritation · Screening
Category 1
Eye Irritation · Screening
Category 8.3A (Category 1)
Eye Irritation · Read Across
Category 6.4A (Category 2A)
Eye Irritation · Read Across