What Is Ammonium hydrogen carbonate?

Learn about the buffering characteristics of Ammonium hydrogen carbonate and its usage in personal care products.

What Is Ammonium hydrogen carbonate? Brandon Jones / IngredientReviewer

Last Updated: October 2, 2024

Written by Brandon Jones

What Is Ammonium hydrogen carbonate?

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Ammonium bicarbonate is a white powder that smells like ammonia and can dissolve in water. It can be found in different forms such as crystals, pellets, or large crystals. It is used as a pH control agent, dough strengthener, and texturizer in food products. In cosmetics, it helps to buffer the product and has a mild ammoniacal flavor.

What is the purpose of Ammonium hydrogen carbonate in personal care products? It is used for its buffering characteristics. Ammonium hydrogen carbonate regulates the pH balance.

Names and identifiers that we found for this substance include: Ammonium hydrogen carbonate, "Carbonic acid, ammonium salt", and Ammonium Bicarbonate.

What Are Buffering Ingredients?

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Ammonium hydrogen carbonate has buffering characteristics.

Buffering ingredients helps regulate and maintain the pH balance of cosmetic products. The pH scale is a method used to determine a mixture's acidity or alkalinity level. Our skin's natural pH balance helps it stay healthy and function properly. When cosmetic products are applied to the skin, they can alter the pH balance, potentially causing irritation or other adverse effects.

Buffering ingredients neutralize or adjust the pH of cosmetic products to match that of the skin, which helps minimize the risk of irritation or damage. By maintaining a consistent pH balance, buffering ingredients can also improve the stability and effectiveness of a product's active ingredients.

Types of Buffering Ingredients

Here are some of the most common types of buffering ingredients:

  • Alkalis: These have a high pH and are used to neutralize acids. They help maintain the product's pH within a desired range.

  • Acids: These have a low pH and are used to neutralize alkalis. They help maintain the cosmetic product's pH within a desired range.

  • Salts: These are formed when an acid and a base (alkali) are mixed. They help maintain the cosmetic product's stability by preventing changes in pH caused by external factors such as heat or exposure to air.

Safety

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Remember, always read and follow the instructions provided on product labels carefully. If you have any questions or concerns about using a product containing various ingredients, consult with your doctor or healthcare provider before use.