What it is
In the register’s words: “Myo-Inositol, hexakis(dihydrogen phosphate), sodium salt.”
- EU register name (INCI)
- SODIUM PHYTATE
- CAS number
- 14306-25-3 / 34367-89-0
- EC number
- 238-242-6
What the register lists it for
These are the uses the European Commission’s CosIng register lists for Sodium Phytate 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.”
- 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 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Shampoos without it
- Clarifying shampoos 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Clarifying shampoos without it
- Stylers 2 labels First five names: 0 of 2 Stylers without it
Every label, product by product (4)
- SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Hair Shampoo Shampoo 14th of 25 names
- Jessicurl Clarifying Shampoo Clarifying shampoo 10th of 19 names
- Innersense Organic Beauty I Create Hold Styler 13th of 20 names
- Bounce Curl Light Hold Creme Gel Styler 15th of 20 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
- Phytic Acid 6 labels
- Tetrasodium EDTA 6 labels
- Gluconolactone 5 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.