Ingredient Dictionary

ITACONIC ACID

Itaconic acid is a dicarboxylic acid that is methacrylic acid in which one of the methyl hydrogens is substituted by a carboxylic acid group.

How much products actually contain

No product states its amount yet.

Of the products containing it, 2 list it before the 1% line and 1 after it (usually 1% or less).

Products using this ingredient

3 of 3 confirmed · likeliest to carry enough first

Definition

Itaconic acid is a dicarboxylic acid that is methacrylic acid in which one of the methyl hydrogens is substituted by a carboxylic acid group. It has a role as a fungal metabolite and a human metabolite. It is a dicarboxylic fatty acid, a dicarboxylic acid and an olefinic compound. It is functionally related to a succinic acid. It is a conjugate acid of an itaconate(2-).

Source: PubChem

US FDA substance register · UNII Q4516562YH · registered name ITACONIC ACID · single chemical substance

Source: US FDA Unique Ingredient Identifier (UNII)

Itaconic Acid is the organic compound that conforms to the formula

Cosmetic roles

Inhibits microbial growthANTIMICROBIALKeeps pH steadyBUFFERINGKeeps skin in good condition (CosIng catch-all)SKIN CONDITIONINGMakes skin soft and smoothSKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT

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

Official labels & definitions

JCIA labelling name イタコン酸: 本品は、次の化学式で表される有機化合物である。

Source: JCIA labelling names (Japan)

Names & identifiers

ITACONIC ACIDINCI이타코닉애씨드Korean label name (MFDS standard)Butanedioic acid, methylene-Synonymイタコン酸Japanese labelling name

CAS No.chemical registry number: 97-65-4
EC No.EU chemical inventory number: 202-599-6
DTXSIDUS EPA chemical ID: DTXSID2026608
DTXCIDUS EPA compound ID: DTXCID006608

IUPAC: 2-Methylidenebutanedioic acid
Molecular formula: C5H6O4
Molecular weight: 130.099 g/mol

Measured properties

Appearance: Liquid, Large Crystals, Dry Powder, Other Solid · Hygroscopic solid, [Merck Index] White crystalline powder, [MSDSonline]
Odour: CHARACTERISTIC ODOR
Boiling point: 268 °C, SUBLIMES
Melting point: 162-164 °C WITH DECOMP, ALSO REPORTED AS 172 °C · 175 °C
Solubility: 1 G DISSOLVES IN 12 ML WATER, 5 ML ALC, VERY SLIGHTLY SOL IN BENZENE, CHLOROFORM, CARBON DISULFIDE, PETROLEUM ETHER · SOL IN ACETONE
Density: 1.632
Dissociation constant: ACID DISSOCIATION CONSTANTS: 3.84 & 5.55
Colour: white
pH: 2 (80 mg/L)
Melting/freezing point: 175 ℃
Initial boiling point and range: 268 ℃
Flash point: 419 ℉
Flammability (solid, gas): flammable
Upper/lower flammability or explosive limits: 14.4 / 2.1 %
Vapour pressure: 0 hPa (at 40 ℃)
Water solubility: 76800 ㎎/ℓ (in water at 20 ℃)
Vapour density: 4.49
Relative density: 0.893 (at 25 ℃)
n-Octanol/water partition coefficient (Kow): -0.301 (at 20 ℃)
Auto-ignition temperature: 430 ℃
Decomposition temperature: 268 ℃
Molecular weight: 130.10

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 10 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.

Monomers3
Softener and conditioner2
Elasticizer1
pH regulating agent1
Biocide1
Processing aids not otherwise specified1
Intermediate1

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

Not classified
Skin Irritation · Screening
Not classified
Skin Sensitization · Screening
Category 1
Eye Irritation · Screening
Category 8.3A (Category 1)
Eye Irritation · Read Across