Sodium Phytate

Sodium phytate is the sodium salt of phytic acid. It is generally used to help stabalize products but has secondary benefits as well. It can moisturize, improve skin elasticity, and balance oily skin. Phytic acid is found abundantly in plant tissues, especially bran and seeds, where it acts as the principal storage form of phosphorus.

Sodium phytate is an all-natural chelating agent and is generally used at concentrations <0.5%. Chelating agents bind to free metals and stabalize the product by helping to prevent undesirable metal-catalyzed reactions.  It often helps avoid discoloration and rancidity caused by metals present in formulations and it works synergistically with other antioxidants.

As a relative of phytic acid, sodium phytate may function as a very mild exfoliant at higher concentrations. It may also reduce melanin synthesis in newly emerging epidermis cells through inhibition of the enzyme tyrosinase.^{1 2}

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