Ingredient Dictionary

2,4-DIHYDROXYBENZOIC ACID

2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid is a dihydroxybenzoic acid that is benzoic acid substituted by hydroxy groups at positions 2 and 4.

Definition

2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid is a dihydroxybenzoic acid that is benzoic acid substituted by hydroxy groups at positions 2 and 4. It has a role as a flavouring agent, a plant metabolite and a human urinary metabolite. It is a dihydroxybenzoic acid, a monocarboxylic acid and a member of resorcinols. It is a conjugate acid of a 2,4-dihydroxybenzoate.

Source: PubChem

US FDA substance register · UNII LU39SC9JYL · registered name 2,4-Dihydroxybenzoic Acid · single chemical substance

Source: US FDA Unique Ingredient Identifier (UNII)

2,4-Dihydroxybenzoic Acid is the organic compound that conforms to the formula

Cosmetic roles

Makes skin soft and smoothSKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENTSkin conditioning not covered aboveSKIN CONDITIONING - MISCELLANEOUS

Safety & regulatory references

Not classified under Korea’s toxic-substance GHS list · existing chemical substance

Source: Korea toxic substances GHS register (NIER)

More data — names, identifiers, properties, test records, literature

Names & identifiers

2,4-DIHYDROXYBENZOIC ACIDINCIBenzoic acid, 2,4-dihydroxy-Synonym

CAS No.chemical registry number: 89-86-1
DTXSIDUS EPA chemical ID: DTXSID0025074
DTXCIDUS EPA compound ID: DTXCID205074

IUPAC: 2,4-Dihydroxybenzoic acid
Molecular formula: C7H6O4
Molecular weight: 154.121 g/mol

Measured properties

Appearance: Solid, [Merck Index] White powder, [Alfa Aesar MSDS] · Solid
Boiling point: 309.00 to 310.00 °C. @ 760.00 mm Hg
Melting point: 226 dec °C · 218 - 219 °C
Solubility: 5780 mg/L (at 25 °C) · 5.78 mg/mL at 25 °C
Dissociation constant: 3.11 (at 25 °C)
Colour: White to off-white
Melting/freezing point: 226 ℃
Vapour pressure: 0.0000021 ㎜Hg
Water solubility: 5780 ㎎/ℓ (25 deg C)
n-Octanol/water partition coefficient (Kow): 1.63
Molecular weight: 154.13

Values measured on the substance itself. The KOSHA data are a reference for writing and reviewing safety data sheets, not a specification for a commercial raw material.

Source: PubChem · KOSHA safety data sheets (Korea)

What products actually use it for

What the 4 products reported to the US EPA with this ingredient use it for. Products outside cosmetics are included, so the top few rows are its main uses.

Intermediate2
Flavouring and nutrient2

Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard

Irritation and sensitisation studies

1 skin studies and 1 eye studies are on record.

Classed as low1

The study conclusions largely agree (100%). These tests are on the raw material itself; irritation at the amount in a finished product is a different question.

See all 2 studies

Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
skin irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 404 (Acute Dermal Irritation / Corrosion) according to EU Method B.4 (Acute Toxicity: Dermal Irritation / Corrosion) directive 83/467/EEC according to
Corrosive or Irritation Persists for > 21 days
eye irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 405 (Acute Eye Irritation / Corrosion) according to EU Method B.5 (Acute Toxicity: Eye Irritation / Corrosion) directive 83/467/EEC according to