Preservative

Sodium Metabisulfite

INCI · Sodium Metabisulfite

Revelika safety grade

Overview

An antioxidant and reducing agent used to protect a formula rather than skin. It scavenges oxygen inside the bottle and is one of the usual companions to easily oxidised ingredients such as pure ascorbic acid or a self-tanning agent.

Who it's for

Formulas that would otherwise brown or lose strength in the bottle — vitamin C serums, some hair products and self-tanners.

Cautions

Sulphites are a recognised trigger for people with a sulphite sensitivity, which is better documented as a food and inhalation issue than a topical one; a known sensitivity is still a reason to read labels. It is a stabiliser and makes no claim of doing anything for skin.

Suitability
Suits skin type
Dry Oily Combination Sensitive Acne-prone Mature Normal
Concentration
Concentration0 – 10%
Effective from
Max safe
In the glossary
Frequently asked
What does Sodium Metabisulfite do in skincare?

An antioxidant and reducing agent used to protect a formula rather than skin. It scavenges oxygen inside the bottle and is one of the usual companions to easily oxidised ingredients such as pure ascorbic acid or a self-tanning agent.

Is Sodium Metabisulfite considered safe for skin?

Sulphites are a recognised trigger for people with a sulphite sensitivity, which is better documented as a food and inhalation issue than a topical one; a known sensitivity is still a reason to read labels. It is a stabiliser and makes no claim of doing anything for skin.

RRevelika

A science-forward beauty ingredient encyclopedia. Every entry is written from published research and graded conservatively before it publishes.

Editorial standard

Content is educational, not medical advice. When evidence is uncertain we say so — and we default to caution on pregnancy safety.

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