Sodium metaphosphate is an inorganic polyphosphate salt used in cosmetic formulations primarily to sequester metal ions and stabilize products. It also functions as a mild buffering and texturizing agent in cleansers and other personal care products.
| Reported effect | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Mild skin irritation | Rare | Possible at higher concentrations or with prolonged contact, particularly on sensitive skin. |
Eye irritation | Uncommon | Can occur with direct contact in rinse-off products such as cleansers. |
Allergic contact dermatitis | Very rare | Sensitization is uncommonly reported for phosphate salts. |
Dryness | Rare | May contribute to transient dryness when used in cleansing formulations. |
Frequencies reflect typical cosmetic use reported in the literature, not a guarantee for your skin.
Peer-reviewed papers on this ingredient, via PubMed.