Daniel_

Katyanna, the listing of ingredients is always by mass, with the items present in the highest proportion listed first.

The Sodium Hydroxide is therefore present in the lowest amount. You will also notice that the preservative "Benzoic Acid" is present, and at higher levels than the sodium hydroxide.

In solution, the Sodium Hydroxide dissociates into Sodium Ions and Hydroxide Ions. The Benzoic Acid dissociates into Benzoate and Hydrogen ions.

The net effect is that a solution containing Benzoic Acid and Sodium Hydroxide will form an equilibrium equivalent to having just added Sodium Benzoate (found naturally in fruit).

So it's not "puting lye on my nether regions". It's chemistry.

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Overhead, the Albatross hangs motionless upon the air,
And deep beneath the rolling waves,
In labyrinths of Coral Caves,
The Echo of a distant time
Comes willowing across the sand;
And everthing is Green and Submarine
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