Ingredient Dictionary

BEHENIC ACID

Docosanoic acid is a straight-chain, C22, long-chain saturated fatty acid.

How much products actually contain

1 products state the amountmedian 0.0025%

under 0.01% 1
0.01–0.1% 0
0.1–1% 0
1% or more 0

Amounts are mostly stated by products named after the ingredient, so they may lean towards token amounts.

Of the products containing it, 22 list it before the 1% line and 32 after it (usually 1% or less).

Products using this ingredient

12 of 54 confirmed · likeliest to carry enough first · See all 54

Definition

Docosanoic acid is a straight-chain, C22, long-chain saturated fatty acid. It has a role as a plant metabolite. It is a long-chain fatty acid and a straight-chain saturated fatty acid. It is a conjugate acid of a behenate.

Source: PubChem

US FDA substance register · UNII H390488X0A · registered name Behenic acid · single chemical substance

Source: US FDA Unique Ingredient Identifier (UNII)

Cosmetic roles

Surfactant that lifts dirtSURFACTANT - CLEANSINGWashes away surface impuritiesCLEANSINGMakes a clear formula opaqueOPACIFYINGMixes and holds oil and water togetherSURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING

Safety & regulatory references

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

Source: Korea toxic substances GHS register (NIER)

Other restriction: ban substances that deplete the ozone layer

Source: EU CosIng ingredient list

Reviewed by CIR: Final Report: Safety Assessment of Fatty Acids and Fatty Acid Salts as Used in Cosmetics

Source: US Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)

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

Official labels & definitions

JCIA labelling name ベヘン酸: 本品は、次の化学式で表される脂肪酸である。

Source: JCIA labelling names (Japan)

Names & identifiers

BEHENIC ACIDINCI베헤닉애씨드Korean label name (MFDS standard)Docosanoic acidSynonymベヘン酸Japanese labelling name

CAS No.chemical registry number: 112-85-6
EC No.EU chemical inventory number: 204-010-8
DTXSIDUS EPA chemical ID: DTXSID3026930
DTXCIDUS EPA compound ID: DTXCID306930

IUPAC: Docosanoic acid
Molecular formula: C22H44O2
Molecular weight: 340.592 g/mol

Measured properties

Appearance: Other Solid, Large Crystals, Liquid · White to cream or yellow solid, [CHEMINFO] White crystalline powder, [MSDSonline]
Boiling point: 306 °C at 60 mm Hg
Melting point: 79.95 °C · 81 °C
Solubility: 0.102 g are sol in 100 g of 90% ethanol at 17 °C, 0.218 g are sol in 100 ml of 91.5% ethanol at 25 °C, 0.116 g are sol in 100 ml of 86.2% ethanol at 25 °C, 0.011 g are sol in 100 ml of 63.07% ethanol at 25 °C, 0.1922 g are sol in 100 g of ether at 16 °C · Slightly soluble in water, ethanol, ethyl ether
Density: 0.8221 at 100 °C/4 °C
Melting/freezing point: 80 ℃
Initial boiling point and range: 306 ℃(60 mmHg)
Flash point: 176 ℃
Upper/lower flammability or explosive limits: - / - %
Vapour pressure: 0.0000000715 ㎜Hg ((25 ℃))
Water solubility: 0.00001294 ㎎/ℓ
Relative density: 0.8223 ((90 ℃))
n-Octanol/water partition coefficient (Kow): 9.91
Viscosity: 12.8 cP (80 C)
Molecular weight: 340.59

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 32 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.

Emulsifier8
Opacifer4
Surfactant (surface active agent)4
Lubricating agent4
Cleaning agent2
Solids separation (precipitating) agent, not other2
Intermediate2
Softener and conditioner2

3 other uses

Processing aids not otherwise specified2
Monomers1
Fuel1

Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard

Irritation and sensitisation studies

2 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 4 studies

Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
skin irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 404 (Acute Dermal Irritation / Corrosion) according to
Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
skin irritation: in vivo · Screening · other guideline: according to
Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
eye irritation: in vivo · Screening · other guideline: according to
Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
eye irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 405 (Acute Eye Irritation / Corrosion) according to