Sodium Hydroxide

Sodium hydroxide is a white crystalline solid compound that dissolves instantly in water. It is also known as caustic soda or lye. This alkaline and corrosive substance is an important raw material for producing, medication, soap, cleaning agents, and paper. Sodium hydroxide is also an important compound for balancing the pH values of chemicals, skin care products, and medicines.

What Are the Uses of Sodium Hydroxide?

Sodium hydroxide is used in the pharmaceutical, chemical, and personal care products industries. Drug makers make use of sodium hydroxide to produce aspirin and other well-known pain relievers. They also use it to make cholesterol-reducing medicine and anticoagulants for reducing blood clots. Industrial chemists use sodium hydroxide pellets to manufacture dyes, explosives, paper, and soaps. Textile manufacturers also use sodium hydroxide to process cotton fabric. Other uses of sodium hydroxide liquid include electroplating, oxide coating, electrolytic extraction, and metal cleaning. Soap makers use aqueous sodium hydroxide to saponify oils. Caustic soda enables fats and oils to work together as a soap and form a desirable lather.

What Are the Benefits of Sodium Hydroxide for Skin Care?

There are multiple uses of sodium hydroxide in skin care. It regulates and maintains the pH of the skin and skin products. It thus makes product formulas gentle on the skin. Caustic soda makes products work better when the pH level is sustained. Sodium hydroxide can keep the skin's acid protective layer between pH 4 to 6, so it protects the skin against allergens and harmful bacteria. However, since this substance is corrosive, it is not advisable to add it in raw form to human or animal skin.

How Do You Select and Buy Sodium Hydroxide?

Decide the purpose for which you need to buy sodium hydroxide. For soap-making, it is available as crystals or as caustic soda beads in its solid form. For manufacturing sodium salts, cleaning agents, and pH regulators, you may opt for the aqueous sodium hydroxide. For use in wine-making, you should buy food-grade sodium hydroxide in pure form. Check any quality assurance certificates before you choose your supplier or manufacturer.