What it is
- EU register name (INCI)
- SODIUM CHLORIDE
- CAS number
- 7647-14-5
- EC number
- 231-598-3
What the register lists it for
These are the uses the European Commission’s CosIng register lists for Sodium Chloride 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.
- Fragrance
-
Gives the product its smell or covers an unpleasant one. A label may name each scent ingredient or group them as Fragrance (Parfum).
Register definition: “Imparting an odour or taste. Creating a perceivable pleasant smell and/or masking a bad smell.”
- Viscosity controlling
-
Makes a product thicker or thinner, so a gel holds its shape or a shampoo pours. Gums, cellulose and some salts carry this role.
Register definition: “Increasing or decreasing the viscosity (thickness) of cosmetics.”
- Bulking
-
Adds volume to a product without reacting with anything.
Register definition: “Non-reactive (chemically inert), solid ingredients that dilute other solids and/or increase the volume of cosmetic products.”
- Oral care
-
A role the ingredient has in toothpaste or mouthwash. On a hair label it is there for another listed use.
Register definition: “Providing cosmetic effects to the oral cavity, e.g. cleansing, deodorising, protecting.”
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.
- Shampoos 13 labels First five names: 1 of 13 Shampoos without it
- Clarifying shampoos 6 labels First five names: 2 of 6 Clarifying shampoos without it
- Rinse-out conditioners 2 labels First five names: 0 of 2 Rinse-out conditioners without it
- Deep conditioners 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Deep conditioners without it
- Stylers 3 labels First five names: 1 of 3 Stylers without it
- Curl refreshers 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Curl refreshers without it
Every label, product by product (26)
- Cantu Ultra Moisture Nourishing Shampoo Shampoo 5th of 31 names
- Innersense Organic Beauty Hydrating Cream Hairbath Shampoo 8th of 35 names
- The Doux SUCKA FREE Moisturizing Shampoo Shampoo 11th of 23 names
- Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Shampoo Shampoo 18th of 37 names
- Aussie Miracle Curls Shampoo Shampoo 14th of 20 names
- Curlsmith Essential Moisture Shampoo Shampoo 21st of 28 names
- Jessicurl Hair Cleansing Cream Shampoo 12th of 15 names
- Mielle Pomegranate & Honey Moisturizing and Detangling Shampoo Shampoo 22nd of 27 names
- Maui Moisture Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Shampoo Shampoo 20th of 24 names
- OLAPLEX Nº.4CURL Bond Shaper Hydrating Curl Shampoo Shampoo 53rd of 62 names
- OLAPLEX No.4 Bond Maintenance Strengthening Shampoo Shampoo 70th of 78 names
- Giovanni Curl Habit Curl Defining Shampoo Shampoo 28th of 31 names
- Curlsmith Fragrance-Free Shampoo Shampoo 21st of 23 names
- OLAPLEX No.4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo Clarifying shampoo 6th of 55 names
- Kristin Ess Deep Clean Clarifying Shampoo Clarifying shampoo 5th of 39 names
- PATTERN Cleansing Shampoo Clarifying shampoo 5th of 34 names
- Aunt Jackie's Power Wash Intense Moisture Clarifying Shampoo Clarifying shampoo 6th of 30 names
- Curlsmith Curl Reset Detox Shampoo Clarifying shampoo 19th of 27 names
- Camille Rose Clean Rinse Clarifying Shampoo Clarifying shampoo 32nd of 34 names
- PATTERN Medium Conditioner Rinse-out conditioner 7th of 38 names
- Aussie Miracle Curls Conditioner Rinse-out conditioner 8th of 16 names
- Curlsmith Double Cream Deep Quencher Deep conditioner 24th of 36 names
- Kristin Ess Sea Salt Air Dry Mousse Styler 2nd of 47 names
- TRESemmé Bouncy Curls Air Dry Foam Styler 10th of 17 names
- SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Frizz-Free Curl Mousse Styler 17th of 18 names
- Curlsmith Shake & Shine Curl refresher 36th of 51 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 fragrance ingredients on these labels
- Fragrance (Parfum) 133 labels
- Potassium Sorbate 61 labels
- Sodium Benzoate 61 labels
- Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil 32 labels
- Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride 26 labels
- Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil 26 labels
- Benzoic Acid 25 labels
- Citral 20 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.