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Disodium Succinate

White crystalline disodium succinate powder used as a food flavor enhancer

Disodium Succinate

Disodium succinate is the disodium salt of succinic acid, a compound naturally found in the body. In skincare, it serves as a multi-functional supporting ingredient, primarily acting as a pH adjuster and buffering agent. Its role is to help maintain the stability and efficacy of a cosmetic formulation, ensuring the product performs optimally on your skin.

Natural Science

Scientifically, disodium succinate is created by neutralizing succinic acid with a sodium source. Succinic acid itself is a dicarboxylic acid that plays a crucial role in the Krebs cycle (or citric acid cycle), a series of chemical reactions used by all aerobic organisms to generate energy. This connection to cellular energy pathways is what makes its derivatives so interesting in biotechnology and cosmetics.

As a salt, disodium succinate is highly stable and water-soluble. In a cosmetic formula, it helps to create a "buffer system." This system resists changes in pH that can occur when other ingredients are added or when the product is exposed to air. Maintaining a specific pH is vital for both product stability and skin compatibility, making the use of disodium succinate in cosmetics a smart formulation choice.

Benefits of Disodium Succinate in Skincare

While often working behind the scenes, disodium succinate provides essential benefits that contribute to a superior skincare experience. It primarily ensures the product's pH remains in a range that is gentle on the skin's acid mantle while also improving the overall texture and feel of the formula. The core benefits of disodium succinate revolve around stability and sensory enhancement.

  • pH Regulation & Buffering: Disodium succinate helps maintain the pH of a product, keeping it stable and within the optimal range for the skin. This is crucial for preserving the skin's natural barrier and ensuring optimal disodium succinate for skin health.
  • Formula Stabilization: By preventing drastic pH shifts, it helps protect the integrity and efficacy of other active ingredients in the formulation, ensuring the product works as intended from the first use to the last.
  • Masking & Conditioning: It can function as a masking agent to neutralize or mask base odors in a formula. It also contributes to the conditioning properties of a product, leading to a smoother, more pleasant application and feel on the skin.

How Its Used in Nuebiome Products

At Nuebiome, we leverage the stabilizing and conditioning properties of disodium succinate to create elegant and effective formulas. It helps us ensure our products maintain their ideal pH and texture, providing a gentle yet powerful experience for your skin's microbiome. You can find this ingredient in some of our most beloved products, including our Biome Balancing Creamy Cleanser, Biotic Radiance-Boosting Hydrator and Amaretto and Biotic Hand Remedy.

Frequently Asked Questions about Disodium Succinate

What is disodium succinate used for?

What is disodium succinate used for in skincare? It is primarily used as a buffering agent and pH adjuster to keep cosmetic formulas stable. It also acts as a masking agent to improve a product's scent and can contribute to the overall conditioning feel of the product on the skin.

Is disodium safe for skin?

Is disodium succinate safe for skin? Yes, it is widely regarded as safe for use in cosmetic products. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel has assessed the data on succinic acid and its salts and concluded that they are safe in the present practices of use and concentration in cosmetics.

Is succinic acid good for your skin?

Yes, succinic acid, from which disodium succinate is derived, is an excellent skincare ingredient. It possesses antimicrobial properties that can help manage acne-causing bacteria, provides antioxidant benefits, and supports skin cell renewal for a rejuvenated and revitalized appearance.

What is the difference between succinic and hyaluronic acid?

Succinic acid and hyaluronic acid serve very different primary functions. Succinic acid is known for its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and cellular renewal properties, making it great for acne and rejuvenation. Hyaluronic acid is a humectant famous for its incredible ability to attract and hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, making it a superstar for skin hydration.