Sodium Metabisulfite: what it is in skincare
⚡ Quick answer: An antioxidant stabilizer that helps keep sensitive ingredients from breaking down in the bottle.
An antioxidant stabilizer that helps keep sensitive ingredients from breaking down in the bottle.
What it does
Function: stabilizer. Emulsifiers and stabilizers hold oil and water together so a cream stays smooth and uniform from first pump to last.
Heads-up flags
- sensitive-skin-caution
How to spot it on a label
On a Korean product's INCI list, look for Sodium Metabisulfite. Ingredients are listed high-to-low by amount, so its position hints at how much is in the formula. See all emulsifiers & stabilizers →
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Xanthan GumCarbomerAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerSodium PolyacrylateHydroxyethylcellulose✍️ Written & reviewed by the KoreaPlus Editorial team — dermatologist-informed, cosmetic-science researched & source-cited. Last reviewed 2026-06-21.
General educational information using cosmetic structure-function wording — not medical advice. Always patch-test new actives. © KoreaPlus.