Ingredient dictionary

Sodium Metabisulfite

Also listed as: Sodium Pyrosulfite, Disodium Disulfite

Sodium Metabisulfite is a white powder salt that dissolves in water and works mainly as an antioxidant, helping other ingredients resist breaking down or changing color. It is on the label of 26 products in our library. Checked against our library November 6, 2026.

The catch: none for most people; check the full product list if your skin reacts easily.

What Sodium Metabisulfite does

Slows oxidation of other ingredients
Helps keep color and scent stable
Supports a longer shelf life

Sodium Metabisulfite is made by reacting sulfur dioxide with sodium carbonate or sodium hydroxide, then drying the result into a white crystalline powder. Once dissolved, it releases sulfite compounds that react with oxygen, so less of it is available to act on the rest of the formula.

Formulators add it to protect oils, plant extracts and other sensitive ingredients from breaking down or changing color over time. It is usually used at low levels and dissolves in the water phase, so it does little to change how a product feels or spreads. Its job is quiet and behind the scenes.

Good for

Best suited to water-based formulas with ingredients that can oxidize, such as cleansers and moisturizers, where stability matters most.

Be careful if

Nothing in particular for most skin types.

Frequently asked questions

Is Sodium Metabisulfite safe for sensitive skin?

In cosmetics it is generally well tolerated at the low levels used. Sulfites can trigger reactions in people with a known sulfite sensitivity, so anyone with that history should check the ingredient list and ask a doctor if unsure.

Does Sodium Metabisulfite help clear acne?

No. It is not an acne ingredient. In acne products it helps keep the formula stable, so the other ingredients and the product keep their look. Check the ingredient list for the ingredients that do the work.