Ingredient Dictionary

PHOSPHORIC ACID

Phosphoric acid is a phosphorus oxoacid that consists of one oxo and three hydroxy groups joined covalently to a central phosphorus atom.

How much products actually contain

2 products state the amountmedian 0.000065%

under 0.01% 2
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, 410 list it before the 1% line and 32 after it (usually 1% or less).

Products using this ingredient

12 of 442 confirmed · likeliest to carry enough first · See all 442

Definition

Phosphoric acid is a phosphorus oxoacid that consists of one oxo and three hydroxy groups joined covalently to a central phosphorus atom. It has a role as a NMR chemical shift reference compound, a fertilizer, a solvent, a human metabolite and an algal metabolite. It is a conjugate acid of a phosphate ion and a dihydrogenphosphate.

Source: PubChem

US FDA substance register · UNII E4GA8884NN · registered name Phosphoric Acid · single chemical substance

Source: US FDA Unique Ingredient Identifier (UNII)

Cosmetic roles

Keeps pH steadyBUFFERING

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: Safety Assessment of Phosphoric Acid and Its 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 リン酸: 本品は、次の化学式で表される無機酸である。

Source: JCIA labelling names (Japan)

Names & identifiers

PHOSPHORIC ACIDINCI포스포릭애씨드Korean label name (MFDS standard)リン酸Japanese labelling name

CAS No.chemical registry number: 7664-38-2
EC No.EU chemical inventory number: 231-633-2
DTXSIDUS EPA chemical ID: DTXSID5024263
DTXCIDUS EPA compound ID: DTXCID804263

IUPAC: Phosphoric acid
Molecular formula: H3O4P
Molecular weight: 97.994 g/mol

Measured properties

Appearance: Phosphoric acid appears as a clear colorless liquid or transparent crystalline solid. The pure solid melts at 42.35 °C and has a density of 1.834 g / cm3. Liquid is usually an 85% aqueous solution. Shipped as both a solid and liquid. Corrosive to metals and tissue. Used in making fertilizers and detergents and in food processing. · Large Crystals, CBI, Dry Powder, Other Solid, Liquid
Odour: Odorless · odourless
Boiling point: greater than 266 °F at 760 mmHg (USCG, 1999) · 407 °C
Melting point: 108 °F (NIOSH, 2024) · 42.4 °C
Solubility: Miscible (NIOSH, 2024) · Soluble in water, alcohol, soluble in 8 volumes of 3:1 ether:alcohol mixture
Colour: colourless
Melting/freezing point: 42 ℃
Initial boiling point and range: 296.5 ℃
Vapour pressure: 0.03 ㎜Hg(20℃)
Water solubility: &amp, gt, 850 g/ℓ
Relative density: 1.1794 (25℃)
Molecular weight: 97.9937

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 196 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.

pH regulating agent56
Flavouring and nutrient17
Cleaning agent15
Etching agent12
Processing aids not otherwise specified10
Soil amendments9
Dispersing agent9
Corrosion inhibitor6

30 other uses

Degradant/impurity (EPA)6
Conductive agent5
Flux agent5
Intermediate4
Stabilizing agent4
Surfactant (surface active agent)3
Solvent3
Surface modifier3
Bleaching agent3
Chelating agent2
Biocide2
Pigment2
Defoamer2
Plating agent2
Fragrance1
Wetting agent (non-aqueous)1
Anti-adhesive/cohesive1
Chemical reaction regulator1
Anti-scaling agent1
Adhesion/cohesion promoter1
Catalyst1
Monomers1
Emulsifier1
Oxidizing agent1
Other1
Brightener1
Semiconductor and photovoltaic agent1
Lubricating agent1
Flotation agent1
Binder1

Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard

Irritation and sensitisation studies

10 skin studies and 3 eye studies are on record.

Classed as highly irritating1

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

Skin corrosion/irritation - Category 1
Skin Irritation · Screening
Corrosive
skin corrosion: in vitro / ex vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 431 (In Vitro Skin Corrosion: Human Skin Model Test) according to EU Method B.40 (In Vitro Skin Corrosion: Transcutaneous Electrical Resistance Test (TER)) according to
Category 8.2C (Category 1C)
Skin Irritation · Read Across
Skin Corr. 1B
Skin Irritation · Authoritative
Category 6.3A (Category 2)
Skin Irritation · Read Across
Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
skin irritation: in vivo · Screening · other guideline: 1500.41 in the Federal Register Vol. 38, No. 187, S. 26019 from 1973-09-27 according to
Corrosive
skin irritation: in vivo · Screening · other guideline: 1500.41 in the Federal Register Vol. 38, No. 187, S. 26019 from 1973-09-27 according to
Category 1
Skin Irritation · Screening
Classification not possible
Skin Sensitization · Screening
Ambiguous
skin corrosion: in vitro / ex vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 431 (In Vitro Skin Corrosion: Human Skin Model Test) according to EU Method B.40 (In Vitro Skin Corrosion: Transcutaneous Electrical Resistance Test (TER)) according to
Category 1
Eye Irritation · Screening
Category 6.4A (Category 2A)
Eye Irritation · Read Across
Category 8.3A (Category 1)
Eye Irritation · Read Across