Sodium Sesquicarbonate

AKA: Magadi soda, Snowflake crystals, 533-96-0, Urao, Trisodium hydrogendicarbonate, Sodium carbonate (3:2), Carbonic acid, Sodium salt (2:3), SQ 810, SESQUI TM
Synthetic
Cleanser
Clean
abundant salt in East African countries used in treatment of high- & low-tannin grain sorghums to reduce assayable tannins & improve nutritive value of grains; sodium sesquicarbonate salt (MF= Na2CO3NaHCO3.H2O); RN given refers to Na salt[2:3]
Solubility Freely soluble in water
Formula
C2HNa3O6
Mol. Weight
189.99
CAS #
533-96-0
Form
Powder
State
Dry Powder
Functions
Buffering
Bulking
Cleansing
Makes oil and water mix so dirt, makeup, and sunscreen can actually be washed away. The reason your face wash foams.
Stabilizes pH
Adds Body & Volume
Removes Impurities
Removes dirt and impurities
Maintains optimal pH
Adds volume
Traditional Use
A naturally occurring mineral salt also produced synthetically. Used historically as a mild abrasive and cleansing agent, and in modern cosmetics as a pH buffer.
EWG
1
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Regulatory Status
USApermitted
EUrestricted
JAPANrestricted
CANADArestricted
Skin Types
all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper
⚖️Regulatory1 listing
🛡️Safety-assessed3 reviews
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR