Ingredient
Sodium Chlorate
Sodium Chlorate is flagged for pregnancy, breastfeeding, postpartum, trying to conceive, PCOS and general use. The concern behind the strongest flag is absorbed into the body and fetal development.
- Chlorate of Soda
- Chloric Acid Sodium Salt
Verdict by profile
Truva checks every ingredient against six profiles. Jump to any of them for the full assessment.
- Strongest verdict
- Not Recommended
- Its verdict for pregnancy, the profile this one is worst in
- Profiles flagged
- 6 of 6
- Counting avoid, high risk and medium risk
- Irritancy
- 4 of 5
- Higher means more likely to sting or redden
Sodium Chlorate and pregnancy
Not Recommended
- Absorbed into the body
- Fetal development
Sodium chlorate is an oxidizing chemical that can be absorbed through the skin and cause systemic toxicity. It has been used historically as an herbicide and industrial oxidizer, but is now largely restricted in cosmetic products. The primary concern during pregnancy is its potential to cause oxidative damage and affect red blood cell function. According to toxicological assessments, sodium chlorate can interfere with cellular oxygen transport, which is critical for fetal development. While specific pregnancy studies are limited, the chemical's known mechanism of toxicity and classification as a potential carcinogen make it unsuitable for use during pregnancy. The EU Cosmetics Regulation prohibits sodium chlorate in most cosmetic applications, and ACOG recommends avoiding products with ingredients that have oxidizing or potentially carcinogenic properties during pregnancy. Most dermatologists and obstetricians would advise complete avoidance of products containing this ingredient.
Sodium Chlorate and breastfeeding
Not Recommended
- Absorbed into the body
- Passes into breast milk
Sodium chlorate is an oxidizing agent with known systemic toxicity that can be absorbed through the skin. Its chemical properties allow it to interfere with red blood cell function and cause oxidative stress in the body. While specific data on transfer into breast milk is limited, the chemical's small molecular weight and water solubility suggest potential for systemic distribution. Given its classification as a harmful substance by ECHA and its potential to affect blood oxygen transport, exposure during breastfeeding poses theoretical risks to breastfed infants through milk transfer. The AAD and most dermatologists recommend avoiding cosmetic ingredients with known toxicity profiles during breastfeeding. Since sodium chlorate is already restricted or prohibited in the EU and not approved by the FDA for cosmetic use, any product containing this ingredient should be avoided entirely.
Sodium Chlorate and postpartum
Not Recommended
- Irritant
- Carcinogen concern
Sodium chlorate is a restricted oxidizing agent that poses health risks including severe eye irritation, potential carcinogenicity, and disruption of red blood cell function. These concerns apply regardless of pregnancy or breastfeeding status. The EU has prohibited this ingredient in most cosmetic applications, and it should not be present in modern, properly formulated cosmetic products. Women in the postpartum period should avoid this ingredient just as the general public should, due to its inherent toxicity profile.
Sodium Chlorate and trying to conceive
Not Recommended
- Absorbed into the body
- Builds up in tissue
Sodium chlorate is a toxic oxidizing agent that should be avoided when trying to conceive, just as it should be avoided during pregnancy. The chemical's potential to cause oxidative damage and its classification as a suspected carcinogen make it unsuitable for use during the preconception period. Women preparing for pregnancy should eliminate exposure to potentially harmful chemicals well before conception. Since sodium chlorate is already restricted by EU regulations and not approved for cosmetic use by the FDA, any product containing this ingredient should be discarded and replaced with safer alternatives.
Sodium Chlorate and PCOS
Not Recommended
- Irritant
- Carcinogen concern
Sodium chlorate is a toxic oxidizing chemical that is restricted or prohibited in cosmetic formulations by major regulatory bodies. While it has been listed as a deodorant ingredient, its use poses unacceptable health risks. For women with PCOS, there are no specific hormonal concerns beyond the general toxicity risks that affect all users. The ingredient does not impact androgen levels or insulin sensitivity, but its potential carcinogenicity and oxidative stress effects make it unsuitable for anyone. Since PCOS often requires careful product selection to manage acne and oil production, it's important to choose safe, effective deodorant alternatives. Modern formulations use safer ingredients that don't carry the toxicity risks associated with sodium chlorate.
Sodium Chlorate and general use
Not Recommended
- Irritant
- Carcinogen concern
Sodium chlorate is an oxidizing chemical that has been used as a deodorant ingredient but is now widely restricted due to safety concerns. It can cause severe eye irritation, skin sensitization, and poses potential long-term health risks including carcinogenicity. According to ECHA, sodium chlorate is harmful if swallowed and causes serious eye damage. Studies have shown it can cause oxidative stress and damage to red blood cells. Some regulatory agencies classify it as a Category 2 carcinogen (suspected of causing cancer). The EU Cosmetics Regulation restricts sodium chlorate under Annex II, effectively prohibiting its use in most cosmetic applications. The FDA does not approve this ingredient for cosmetic use. Modern deodorant formulations use much safer alternatives that are equally effective without these health risks.
Everything else flagged for the same profiles
Related ingredients
Ingredients that raise the same concerns.
Where this came from
Truva summarises published guidance from bodies including ACOG, the FDA, the EU SCCS and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review. It has no access to your medical history and it is not a substitute for your doctor, dermatologist or midwife. These assessments have not been reviewed by a clinician, and nothing here is a diagnosis or a prescription. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or being treated for PCOS, take the ingredient list to the person looking after you.
Assessment last pulled from the ingredient database on .
One ingredient is the easy case.
A label has thirty of them. Truva reads the whole list at once and answers for the profile you set: pregnancy, breastfeeding, postpartum, trying to conceive, PCOS, or general use.
Download on theApp Store