Potassium Chloride
Also known as: Muriate of Potash, KCl
What is Potassium Chloride?
A simple mineral salt (KCl) naturally found in seawater and salt deposits, used as a viscosity modifier in cosmetics.
Why is it used in products?
It thickens cleansing products and adjusts the consistency of formulations, especially shampoos and body washes.
Why does it clog pores?
Potassium chloride's chloride ions can irritate the follicular lining when left in contact with skin, promoting inflammation and comedone formation. Salt residue can also dehydrate the pore lining, causing a reactive buildup of dead cells. While it's not occlusive like oils, its irritant mechanism makes it problematic for acne-prone skin.
Commonly found in
- shampoos
- body washes
- cleansers