What it is
The register’s chemical name for it: “cis-1,2,3,5-trans-4,6-Cyclohexanehexol, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexakis(dihydrogen phosphate).”
- EU register name (INCI)
- PHYTIC ACID
- CAS number
- 83-86-3
- EC number
- 201-506-6
What the register lists it for
These are the uses the European Commission’s CosIng register lists for Phytic Acid in any cosmetic, hair roles first. They say why a maker might add it, not what it does in one formula, and they aren’t a safety rating.
- Chelating
-
Binds metal ions, such as those in hard water, so they don’t spoil the product. Clarifying shampoos often list one.
Register definition: “Forming complexes with metal ions which could affect the stability and/or appearance of cosmetics.”
Where it sits on each label
US labels list ingredients from most to least, except that those at 1% or less may follow in any order. A name near the top is a large part of the formula. A label doesn’t mark where the 1% point falls, so further down, the order says little about how much is in it.
- Clarifying shampoos 2 labels First five names: 0 of 2 Clarifying shampoos without it
- Deep conditioners 2 labels First five names: 0 of 2 Deep conditioners without it
- Stylers 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Stylers without it
- Protein treatments 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Protein treatments without it
Every label, product by product (6)
- Curlsmith Curl Reset Detox Shampoo Clarifying shampoo 15th of 27 names
- Cécred Detoxifying Shampoo Clarifying shampoo 26th of 38 names
- Cécred Moisturizing Deep Conditioner Deep conditioner 27th of 41 names
- Rizos Curls Deep Conditioner Deep conditioner 17th of 20 names
- Bouclème Super Hold Styler Styler 30th of 48 names
- Cécred Reconstructing Treatment Mask Protein treatment 24th of 37 names
Each line runs from the first name on a label to the last; a dot is where this ingredient sits. Makers change formulas now and then; if the list on your bottle differs, go by your bottle.
Your next step
Other chelating ingredients on these labels
- Disodium EDTA 38 labels
- Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate 13 labels
- Caprylhydroxamic Acid 9 labels
- Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate 9 labels
- Sodium Gluconate 7 labels
- Tetrasodium EDTA 6 labels
- Gluconolactone 5 labels
- Calcium Gluconate 4 labels
Updated · The name, numbers and uses come from the European Commission’s CosIng entry (CC BY 4.0); we write the uses in US spelling and put the hair ones first. The labels are each maker’s own. The order rule is the FDA’s Cosmetics Labeling Guide. All our sources are on the Sources page.