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Ingredient Dictionary

BENZOIC ACID

Benzoic acid is a compound comprising a benzene ring core carrying a carboxylic acid substituent.

Molecular structure

How much products actually contain

3 products state the amountmedian 0.00005%

  • under 0.01% 2
  • 0.01–0.1% 0
  • 0.1–1% 1
  • 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, 54 list it before the 1% line and 331 after it (usually 1% or less).

Products using this ingredient

12 of 384 confirmed · likeliest to carry enough first · See all 384

Definition

US FDA substance register · UNII 8SKN0B0MIM · registered name Benzoic acid · single chemical substance

Source: US FDA Unique Ingredient Identifier (UNII)

Benzoic acid is a compound comprising a benzene ring core carrying a carboxylic acid substituent. It has a role as an EC 1.13.11.33 (arachidonate 15-lipoxygenase) inhibitor, an EC 3.1.1.3 (triacylglycerol lipase) inhibitor, an antimicrobial food preservative, a plant metabolite, a human xenobiotic metabolite, an algal metabolite and a drug allergen. It is a conjugate acid of a benzoate.

Source: PubChem

Benzoic Acid is an aromatic acid that conforms to the formula:

Cosmetic roles

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

Safety & regulatory references

Restricted
China · South Korea · Taiwan
Allowed preservative
Taiwan · United Kingdom

Source: MFDS (Korea) cosmetic regulatory information · EU Cosmetics Regulation · Japan Standards for Cosmetics · Taiwan FDA cosmetic ingredients · UK cosmetics regulations (OPSS)

Argentina · Brazil

  • Maximum concentration permitted at final product : a) rinse-off products, except oral care products: 2,5% (acid) b) Products for oral hygiene: 1.7% (acid) c) Products not rinsed: 0.5% (acid)
  • Other limitations and requirements : Banned in sprayable systems (such as aerosols and sprays) when the concentration is greater than 0.5%.

ASEAN

  • Maximum authorised concentration in the finished cosmetic product : Rinse off products, except oral care products; 2.5 %(acid) Oral care products; 1.7%(acid) Leave-on products; 0.5%(acid)

Japan

  • Maximum amount per 100 g(Maximum amount of ingredient per 100 g) : 0.2 g(0.2 g)

European Union

  • Product Type, body parts : a) Rinse-off products, except oral care products b) Oral care products c) Leave-on products
  • Maximum concentration in ready for use preparation : a) 2.5% (acid) b) 1.7% (acid) c) 0.5% (acid)

Source: MFDS (Korea) cosmetic regulatory information

Korea’s toxic-substance GHS classification: Danger · H318 (category 1) · H315 (category 2) · H372 (category 1)

Source: Korea toxic substances GHS register (NIER)

Restriction V/1

Source: EU CosIng ingredient list

Reviewed by CIR: Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid, Sodium Benzoate

Source: US Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)

Reviewed by CIR: Safety Assessment of Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid and its Salts, and Benzyl Benzoate

Source: US Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)

Reviewed by CIR: Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid, and Sodium Benzoate

Source: US Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)

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

Official labels & definitions

JCIA labelling name 安息香酸: 本品は、次の化学式で表される芳香族カルボン酸である。

Source: JCIA labelling names (Japan)

Names & identifiers

BENZOIC ACIDINCI벤조익애씨드Korean label name (MFDS standard)BENZOIC ACID, ITS SALTS AND ESTERSSynonym安息香酸Japanese labelling name
CAS No.chemical registry number
65-85-0
EC No.EU chemical inventory number
200-618-2
DTXSIDUS EPA chemical ID
DTXSID6020143
DTXCIDUS EPA compound ID
DTXCID80143
IUPAC
Benzoic acid
Molecular formula
C7H6O2
Molecular weight
122.123 g/mol

Measured properties

Appearance
Benzoic acid appears as a white crystalline solid. Slightly soluble in water. The primary hazard is the potential for environmental damage if released. Immediate steps should be taken to limit spread to the environment. Used to make other chemicals, as a food preservative, and for other uses. · Large Crystals, Liquid, CBI, Dry Powder, Other Solid
Odour
Odorless or with a slight benzaldehyde odor · FAINT, PLEASANT ODOR
Boiling point
480 °F at 760 mmHg (NTP, 1992) · 249.2 °C
Melting point
252.3 °F (NTP, 1992) · 122.4 °C
Solubility
less than 1 mg/mL at 68 °F (NTP, 1992) · 3400 mg/L (at 25 °C)
Density
1.316 at 82.4 °F (USCG, 1999) - Denser than water, will sink · 1.2659 g/cu cm at 15 °C
Colour
white
pH
2.8
Melting/freezing point
122.4 ℃
Initial boiling point and range
249 ℃
Flash point
121 ℃(c.c.)
Flammability (solid, gas)
combustible
Upper/lower flammability or explosive limits
8.2 / 1.4 %
Vapour pressure
0.0007 ㎜Hg (@ 25 ℃)
Water solubility
3500 ㎎/ℓ (at 25℃)
Vapour density
4.2
Relative density
1.2659 (at 15℃)
n-Octanol/water partition coefficient (Kow)
1.87
Auto-ignition temperature
570 ℃
Viscosity
1.26 cP (@ 130 ℃)
Molecular weight
122.13

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 101 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.

  • Preservative62
  • Processing aids not otherwise specified6
  • Fragrance4
  • pH regulating agent4
  • Intermediate3
  • Plasticizer3
  • Filler2
  • Deodorizer2
11 other uses
  • Monomers2
  • Flavouring and nutrient2
  • Lubricating agent2
  • Soil amendments2
  • No specific technical function1
  • Insulators1
  • Solvent1
  • Chemical reaction regulator1
  • Biocide1
  • Antioxidant1
  • Elasticizer1

Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard

Irritation and sensitisation studies

8 skin studies and 5 eye studies are on record.

Classed as moderate1

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 13 studies
  • Classification not possible
    Skin Irritation · Screening
  • Classification not possible
    Skin Sensitization · Screening
  • Skin Irrit. 2
    Skin Irritation · Authoritative
  • Not likely to be sensitizing
    skin sensitisation: in vivo (non-LLNA) · Screening · according to EPA OPP 81-6 (Skin Sensitisation)
  • Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
    skin irritation: in vivo · Screening · EU Method B.4 (Acute Toxicity: Dermal Irritation / Corrosion) according to
  • Not likely to be sensitizing
    skin sensitisation: in vivo (LLNA) · Screening · equivalent or similar to other guideline: Kimber et al., 1989
  • Skin irritation - category 2
    Skin Irritation · Screening
  • Not likely to be sensitizing
    skin sensitisation: in vivo (non-LLNA) · Screening · equivalent or similar to OECD Guideline 406 (Skin Sensitisation)
  • Serious eye damage/eye irritation - Category 2
    Eye Irritation · Screening
  • Category 1
    Eye Irritation · Screening
  • Eye Dam. 1
    Eye Irritation · Authoritative
  • Eye damage - category 1
    Eye Irritation · Screening
  • Category 6.4A (Category 2A)
    Eye Irritation · Read Across

Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard

Related literature

Linked databases 26

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