Science
Mechanism of Action
Upon contact with skin, hydrobromic acid acts as a powerful corrosive agent. Its exceptionally low pH, typically ranging between 0.4 and 1.0 in aqueous solutions, directly denatures cellular proteins, leading to severe cellular damage, intense irritation, and chemical burns.
Research
Clinical Evidence
Insufficient-data confidenceN/A
Transparency
Dusting Analysis
Hydrobromic acid is a highly corrosive chemical and is not incorporated into consumer skincare products. Its inherent hazardous properties render any cosmetic application unsafe and impractical, thus it is not subject to cosmetic 'dusting'.
The Formula
Formulation
Stability
This strong acid, with a pKa of -9, forms aqueous solutions possessing a very low pH, typically between 0.4 and 1.0. For stability, it requires cool, sealed storage, protected from heat and incompatible substances. It is sensitive to air and light, which can induce slow decomposition into elemental bromine, evidenced by a darkening of the solution.
Conflicts
- strong bases
- strong oxidizing agents
- ammonia
- ozone
- fluorine
- metals
Safety
Safety Profile
Hydrobromic acid is a strong, highly corrosive chemical that causes severe burns and irritation upon skin and eye contact. It is explicitly not used as an ingredient in cosmetic products due to its hazardous profile. While the European Commission's CosIng database lists 'Hydrogen Bromide' with a function as a buffering agent, it specifies no usage levels for cosmetic applications and indicates distribution is typically for experimental or industrial manufacturing uses only, making consumer exposure highly improbable. No specific safety assessments for cosmetic use by CIR or SCCS exist.
Your Skin
Skin Compatibility
Our Assessment
Verdict
Due to its extremely corrosive nature and high risk of severe chemical burns and tissue damage, hydrobromic acid should be entirely avoided in all skincare and cosmetic formulations.
Related
Similar Ingredients
Finding similar ingredients…