What is this ingredient?

미국 FDA 물질 등록 · UNII JG8Z55Y12H · 등록명 4-Hydroxybenzoic Acid · 단일 화학물질

Are there usage precautions?

미생물 성장 억제, 약한 에스트로겐 수용체 작용 (추천 피부타입: 모든 피부 타입)

Ingredient Dictionary

4-HYDROXYBENZOIC ACID

4-hydroxybenzoic acid is a monohydroxybenzoic acid that is benzoic acid carrying a hydroxy substituent at C-4 of the benzene ring.

Definition

US FDA substance register · UNII JG8Z55Y12H · registered name 4-Hydroxybenzoic Acid · single chemical substance

Source: US FDA Unique Ingredient Identifier (UNII)

4-hydroxybenzoic acid is a monohydroxybenzoic acid that is benzoic acid carrying a hydroxy substituent at C-4 of the benzene ring. It has a role as a plant metabolite and an algal metabolite. It is a conjugate acid of a 4-hydroxybenzoate.

Source: PubChem

4-Hydroxybenzoic Acid is the aromatic acid that a conforms to the formula:

Cosmetic roles

Stops microbes growing in the productPRESERVATIVEListed as a fragrance-composition material (not a claim that it adds scent)FRAGRANCE

Safety & regulatory references

Restricted: China · Japan · South Korea
Allowed preservative: United Kingdom

Source: MFDS (Korea) cosmetic regulatory information · EU Cosmetics Regulation · UK cosmetics regulations (OPSS)

Argentina · Brazil

Maximum concentration permitted at final product : (a) 0,4% (expresso como ácido) para cada substância considerada em forma individual. (b) 0,8% (expresso como ácido) para a soma das concentrações individuais de ácido 4-p-hidroxibenzóico, seus ésteres de metil e etil e seus sais contidos no produto.
Other limitations and requirements : Prohibit: isopropylparaben, isobutylparaben, fenylparaben, benzylparaben, pentylparaben.

ASEAN

Maximum authorised concentration in the finished cosmetic product : 0.4% (as acid) for single ester 0.8% (as acid) for mixtures of esters

Taiwan

(a) 0.4%
(b) 0.8%

European Union

Maximum concentration in ready for use preparation : 0,4% (as acid) for single ester 0,8% (as acid) for mixtures of esters

Source: MFDS (Korea) cosmetic regulatory information

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

Source: Korea toxic substances GHS register (NIER)

Restriction V/12 · SCCS opinion: Extended Opinion on the Safety Evaluation of Parabens; Opinion concerning Restrictions on Materials listed in annex VI of Directive 76/768/EEC on Cosmetic Products; Opinion on Parabens; Opinion on Parabens updated request for a scientific opinion on 'propyl-and butylparaben'; Opinion on Parabens, underarm cosmetics and breast cancer

Source: EU CosIng ingredient list

Reviewed by CIR: Amended Safety Assessment of Parabens as Used in Cosmetics

Source: US Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)

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

Names & identifiers

4-HYDROXYBENZOIC ACIDINCI4-하이드록시벤조익애씨드Korean label name (MFDS standard)Benzoic acid, 4-hydroxy-Synonym

CAS No.chemical registry number: 99-96-7
EC No.EU chemical inventory number: 202-804-9
DTXSIDUS EPA chemical ID: DTXSID3026647
DTXCIDUS EPA compound ID: DTXCID806647

IUPAC: 4-Hydroxybenzoic acid
Molecular formula: C7H6O3
Molecular weight: 138.122 g/mol

Measured properties

Appearance: Other Solid, Dry Powder, CBI · Colorless solid, [Hawley] White powder, [MSDSonline]
Boiling point: 334.00 to 335.00 °C. @ 760.00 mm Hg
Melting point: 214.5 °C · 213.00 to 215.00 °C. @ 760.00 mm Hg
Solubility: Solubility (in 100 g of solution): 99% ethanol 38.75 g (67 °C), n-butanol 19.5 g (32.5 °C) · Soluble in about 125 parts water, freely in alcohol, slightly in chloroform, soluble in ether, acetone. Practically insoluble in carbon disulfide.
Density: 1.46 g/cu cm @ 25 °C · 1.46 @25 °C
Dissociation constant: pKa = 4.54 · K1=3.3X10-5, K2=4.8X10-10 at 19 °C
Colour: white
pH: (1P/125P)
Melting/freezing point: 214.5 ℃
Flash point: 199 ℃
Flammability (solid, gas): flammable
Vapour pressure: 0.000000198 ㎜Hg
Water solubility: 5000 ㎎/ℓ (at 25℃)
Vapour density: 4.77
Relative density: 1.46 (at 25℃)
n-Octanol/water partition coefficient (Kow): 1.37
Molecular weight: 138.12

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 14 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.

Intermediate4
Preservative3
Processing aids not otherwise specified3
Flavouring and nutrient2
Monomers1
Fragrance1

Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard

Irritation and sensitisation studies

4 skin studies and 2 eye studies are on record.

Classed as low2

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 6 studies

Category 6.5B (Category 1)
Skin Sensitization · Read Across
Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
skin irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 404 (Acute Dermal Irritation / Corrosion) dated 24th April, 2002 according to EU Method B.4 (Acute Toxicity: Dermal Irritation / Corrosion) of Council regulation No. 440/2008 according to
Not likely to be sensitizing
skin sensitisation: in vivo (LLNA) · Screening · according to OECD Guideline 429 (Skin Sensitisation: Local Lymph Node Assay) adopted 24 April 2002
SkinSens1
Skin Sensitization · QSAR Predicted
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) according to
Category 6.4A (Category 2A)
Eye Irritation · Read Across