What is Sodium Phytate?

Sodium Phytate, also known by its chemical name Myo-Inositol, Hexakis(Dihydrogen Phosphate), Sodium Salt, is a common ingredient in cosmetics. You might also see it listed as Phytic Acid Sodium Salt among other names. It's primarily used for its chelating properties, which means it can bind to metal ions, helping to stabilize products and maintain their quality and efficacy. So, how is Sodium Phytate made? It's derived from phytic acid, which is found in plant seeds like cereals and legumes. To make Sodium Phytate, phytic acid is extracted and then neutralized with sodium hydroxide, resulting in the sodium salt form. This process enhances its solubility and effectiveness in various formulations.[1] As for how it works, Sodium Phytate effectively binds to metal ions that can be present in cosmetic formulations. These ions, if left unchecked, could accelerate product degradation or cause color changes. By chelating these ions, Sodium Phytate helps in maintaining the stability, appearance, and shelf life of cosmetic products.

Who Can Use Sodium Phytate?

Sodium Phytate is generally suitable for all skin types. It's particularly beneficial in products aimed at improving skin clarity and texture, thanks to its ability to prevent the adverse effects of metal ions in water and other substances that might come into contact with the skin. There are no specific contraindications for any skin type, but as with any ingredient, it's always wise to patch test if you have sensitive skin.For vegans and vegetarians, Sodium Phytate is a suitable ingredient. It is derived from plants and does not involve any animal-derived components or byproducts in its production, making it a great choice for those following a plant-based lifestyle.Regarding its use during pregnancy or breastfeeding, there are no specific restrictions or warnings against using Sodium Phytate. However, it's always recommended to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new cosmetic products during these sensitive times, to ensure safety and peace of mind.

Sodium Phytate's Cosmetic Benefits/Uses

The benefits and uses of Sodium Phytate in cosmetics, as defined by the International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI) and the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC), highlight its role in enhancing the quality and efficacy of personal care products. Below are the detailed benefits of Sodium Phytate: Chelating Agent: Sodium Phytate acts as a potent chelating agent. It effectively binds metal ions which are often present in water and raw materials used in cosmetics. By sequestering these ions, Sodium Phytate helps in stabilizing the product's appearance and consistency. This action prevents the oxidative degradation of fats, oils, and fragrances, thereby extending the shelf life and maintaining the integrity of the product. Antioxidant Properties: This ingredient also serves as an antioxidant. By chelating metal ions, Sodium Phytate reduces the rate of oxidation in cosmetic formulations. Oxidation can lead to rancidity, color changes, and a decrease in the effectiveness of the active ingredients. Therefore, its antioxidant capability helps in preserving the overall quality and effectiveness of the cosmetic product. Improvement of Product Aesthetics: Sodium Phytate contributes to the sensory characteristics of cosmetic products. It can enhance the texture and feel of the product on the skin by influencing the viscosity and stability of emulsions. This results in a smoother application and a more pleasing tactile experience for the user. Enhancement of Other Ingredients: By chelating metal ions that might otherwise deactivate ingredients like vitamins and antioxidants, Sodium Phytate indirectly boosts the effectiveness of these other active ingredients in the formulation. This synergistic effect ensures that the beneficial compounds maintain their functional integrity and deliver optimal performance.

Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions

Side effects and reactions to the topical application of Sodium Phytate can vary from person to person. While generally considered safe, some individuals may experience adverse reactions depending on their skin sensitivity and individual conditions Skin Irritation: Some users might experience redness, itching, or swelling. Allergic Reactions: In rare cases, there could be signs of an allergic reaction such as hives, severe itching, or difficulty breathing. Dryness: Overuse might lead to skin dryness or flakiness due to its chelating properties, which can bind to natural oils.If you experience any of these side effects while using a product containing Sodium Phytate, discontinue use immediately and consult a healthcare provider if symptoms persist or worsen.While the potential side effects listed can sound extreme or scary, it's important to note that adverse reactions to Sodium Phytate are relatively rare. Most users enjoy the benefits of the ingredient without any negative impacts.Given the variability in skin reactions, the importance of patch testing cannot be overstated. It's always a good idea to test a new product on a small area of skin, ideally 24-48 hours before full application, to ensure there is no adverse reaction.Comedogenicity refers to the potential of cosmetic ingredients to clog pores and promote the formation of acne. Ingredients are rated on a scale from 0 to 5, where 0 indicates that the ingredient does not clog pores (non-comedogenic), and 5 indicates a high likelihood of clogging pores (highly comedogenic).Sodium Phytate is assigned a comedogenic rating of 0. This rating is given because Sodium Phytate is primarily used in cosmetics as a chelating agent, which helps to stabilize products by binding metal ions. It does not interact with skin in a way that contributes to pore clogging.Given its non-comedogenic rating, Sodium Phytate is suitable for use by individuals who are prone to acne and breakouts.

Chemical Makeup of Sodium Phytate

Most health-conscious people have heard of phytic acid, the natural acid (and antioxidant) found in plant tissues, such as grains and seeds.We've written about phytic acid before in the context of how to remove it from foods to enhance digestibility and nutrient absorption.Sodium phytate is a sodium salt of phytic acid sourced from plants, such as grains and seeds. It is used as a chelating agent, preservative enhancer, stabilizer, and antioxidant in Branch Basics Concentrate as well as various cosmetics, food products, and other cleaning and laundry products. Chelating agents are used in formulations to maintain their consistency and help preserve the formula by binding to metal ions that would otherwise feed bacteria and other pathogens that could spoil the product.How do metal ions get into a product in the first place? They typically come from water. At Branch Basics, we are very metal-conscious, which is one reason why we insist on using reverse osmosis (RO) water in products. However, since our Concentrate is designed to be diluted with water by the user to make various cleaners and laundry soap, we cannot control what may be in the end-user's water. This, along with its preservative-enhancing and stabilizing properties, is why phytic acid is an essential ingredient in Concentrate. Sodium Phytate is considered a human and environmentally-safe product and is rated "1" (least toxic) by the Environmental Skin Deep Working Group.It's one of the last ingredients listed on Branch Basics Concentrate because very little is required to achieve a chelating, preservative-boosting, antioxidant effect.

 Conclusion

Sodium Phytate serves mainly as a chelating agent and is also used in oral care products. While not a headline ingredient in most formulations, its role is crucial for maintaining the stability and effectiveness of various cosmetic and personal care products. Sodium Phytate is similar to other chelating agents used to improve product longevity and performance. Despite its low profile, Sodium Phytate has a valid place in contemporary cosmetic formulations, particularly in products designed to be stable and effective over time. Its safety profile is well-regarded, making it a reliable choice for formulators looking to enhance product quality without compromising user safety.

References

[1] Su, H., Liu, C., Fan, H., Guo, Y., Guo, M., & Zhang, Z. (2024). Multifunctional sodium phytate as buried interface passivator for high efficiency and stable planar perovskite solar cells. Chemical Engineering Journal, 500, 157212.

[2] Qin, K., Sun, D., Wang, C., Ji, N., Dai, L., Qin, Y., Xiong, L., Wang, T., & Sun, Q. (2023). Properties and in vitro digestibility of starch encapsulated in chitosan-sodium phytate capsules. Food Hydrocolloids, 135, 108127.

[3] Dadmehr, M., Mansouri, R., & Korouzhdehi, B. (2024). Encapsulation of probiotics using gelatin and sodium phytate for improvement of viability and antioxidant capacity in gastrointestinal condition. Food Bioscience, 62, 105550.