Ammonia

AKA: Azane, 7664-41-7, Ammonia gas, Nitro-sil, Ammonia anhydrous, Anhydrous, Anhydrous ammonia, Ammoniak, Liquid Ammonia
Synthetic
Not Clean
OriginProduced from nitrogen gas and hydrogen through the Haber-Bosch catalytic synthesis process at high temperature and pressure. The resulting ammonia compound is then purified and dissolved in water to create aqueous ammonia solution for cosmetic use.
Ammonia is a colorless alkaline gas with a characteristic sharp smell. Ammonia is one of the most abundant nitrogen-containing compounds in the atmosphere. It is an irritant with a characteristic pungent odor, which is widely used in industry. Inasmuch as ammonia is highly soluble in water and, upon inhalation, is deposited in the upper airways, occupational exposures to ammonia have commonly been associated with sinusitis, upper airway irritation, and eye irritation. Acute exposures to high levels of ammonia have also been associated with diseases of the lower airways and interstitial lung. Ammonia has been shown to be a neurotoxin that predominantly affects astrocytes. Disturbed mitochondrial function and oxidative stress, factors implicated in the induction of the mitochondrial permeability transition, appear to be involved in the mechanism of ammonia neurotoxicity. Ammonia is formed in nearly all tissues and organs of the vertebrate organism; it is the most common endogenous neurot
Solubility 34 % (NIOSH, 2024)
Formula
H3N
Mol. Weight
17.03
CAS #
7664-41-7
Form
Liquid
State
Ammonia solutions (containing more than 35% but not more than 50% ammonia) appears as a clear colorless liquid consisting of ammonia dissolved in water. Corrosive to tissue and metals. Although ammoni
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Caution
Functions
Buffering
Neutralizes free radicals
Quells irritation
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed1 review →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Caution
CIR Safety Findings
Mixed Skin Irritation Results
7 studies / 6 irritating / 1 mixed / reactions slight to corrosive (CIR 752)
Mixed Eye Irritation Results
11 studies / 9 irritating / 1 mixed / 1 not irritating / reactions mild to severe / plus 2 case reports (CIR 752)
Concentration Guide
Leave-on0.00002–0.73%
Rinse-off0.00015–4.6%
0%50%100%
Reg. limit 6%
CIR reported use · 2017 survey
EU regulatory limit: 6%. NH3). Above 2%: Contains ammonia Source: EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009, Annex III (Restricted Substances), Entry 4.
Regulatory Status
USA✔ permitted
EU✔ permitted
JAPAN✔ permitted
CANADA✔ permitted
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR