Ingredient Dictionary

LEVULINIC ACID

4-oxopentanoic acid is an oxopentanoic acid with the oxo group in the 4-position.

How much products actually contain

No product states its amount yet.

Of the products containing it, 61 list it before the 1% line and 23 after it (usually 1% or less).

Products using this ingredient

12 of 84 confirmed · likeliest to carry enough first · See all 84

Definition

4-oxopentanoic acid is an oxopentanoic acid with the oxo group in the 4-position. It has a role as a plant metabolite. It is an oxopentanoic acid and a straight-chain saturated fatty acid. It is a conjugate acid of a 4-oxopentanoate.

Source: PubChem

US FDA substance register · UNII RYX5QG61EI · registered name Levulinic Acid · single chemical substance

Source: US FDA Unique Ingredient Identifier (UNII)

Cosmetic roles

Keeps skin in good condition (CosIng catch-all)SKIN CONDITIONINGGives the product a scentPERFUMING

Safety & regulatory references

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

Source: Korea toxic substances GHS register (NIER)

Reviewed by CIR: Safety Assessment of Levulinic Acid and Sodium Levulinate as Used in Cosmetics

Source: US Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)

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

Official labels & definitions

JCIA labelling name レブリン酸: 本品は、次の化学式で表されるケトカルボン酸である。

Source: JCIA labelling names (Japan)

Names & identifiers

LEVULINIC ACIDINCI레불리닉애씨드Korean label name (MFDS standard)Pentanoic acid, 4-oxo-Synonymレブリン酸Japanese labelling name

CAS No.chemical registry number: 123-76-2
EC No.EU chemical inventory number: 204-649-2
DTXSIDUS EPA chemical ID: DTXSID8021648
DTXCIDUS EPA compound ID: DTXCID701648

IUPAC: 4-Oxopentanoic acid
Molecular formula: C5H8O3
Molecular weight: 116.116 g/mol

Measured properties

Appearance: solid
Melting/freezing point: 33 ℃
Initial boiling point and range: 245.5 ℃
Vapour pressure: 3.786 ㎩ (@ 25 ℃)
Water solubility: 675000 ㎎/ℓ (@ 25 ℃, est.)
Vapour density: 4.0
n-Octanol/water partition coefficient (Kow): -0.49
Molecular weight: 116.12

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: KOSHA safety data sheets (Korea)

What products actually use it for

What the 18 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.

Softener and conditioner6
Fragrance5
Flavouring and nutrient3
Intermediate3
Processing aids not otherwise specified1

Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard

Irritation and sensitisation studies

1 skin studies and 1 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 2 studies

Category 6.3A (Category 2)
Skin Irritation · Read Across
Category 6.4A (Category 2A)
Eye Irritation · Read Across