Ingredient Dictionary

SHIKIMIC ACID

Shikimic acid is a cyclohexenecarboxylic acid that is cyclohex-1-ene-1-carboxylic acid substituted by hydroxy groups at positions 3, 4 and 5 (the 3R,4S,5R stereoisomer).

How much products actually contain

No product states its amount yet.

Of the products containing it, 4 list it before the 1% line and 1 after it (usually 1% or less).

Products using this ingredient

5 of 5 confirmed · likeliest to carry enough first

Definition

Shikimic acid is a cyclohexenecarboxylic acid that is cyclohex-1-ene-1-carboxylic acid substituted by hydroxy groups at positions 3, 4 and 5 (the 3R,4S,5R stereoisomer). It is an intermediate metabolite in plants and microorganisms. It has a role as a Saccharomyces cerevisiae metabolite, a plant metabolite and an Escherichia coli metabolite. It is a cyclohexenecarboxylic acid, a hydroxy monocarboxylic acid and an alpha,beta-unsaturated monocarboxylic acid. It is a conjugate acid of a shikimate.

Source: PubChem

US FDA substance register · UNII 29MS2WI2NU · registered name Shikimic Acid · single chemical substance

Source: US FDA Unique Ingredient Identifier (UNII)

Cosmetic roles

Keeps skin in good condition (CosIng catch-all)SKIN CONDITIONINGActs on seborrheic flaking and dandruffANTI-SEBORRHEICReduces body odourDEODORANT

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

Official labels & definitions

JCIA labelling name シキミ酸: 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

SHIKIMIC ACIDINCI시키믹애씨드Korean label name (MFDS standard)シキミ酸Japanese labelling name

CAS No.chemical registry number: 138-59-0
EC No.EU chemical inventory number: 205-334-2
DTXSIDUS EPA chemical ID: DTXSID4032039
DTXCIDUS EPA compound ID: DTXCID2012039

IUPAC: (3R,4S,5R)-3,4,5-Trihydroxycyclohex-1-ene-1-carboxylic acid
Molecular formula: C7H10O5
Molecular weight: 174.152 g/mol

Measured properties

Appearance: Solid, [Merck Index] White powder, [MSDSonline] · Solid
Melting point: 183-184.5 °C · 186 °C
Solubility: Water solubility = 1.5X10+5 mg/l @ 21 °C · Solubility in water about 18 g/100 ml, solubility @ 23 °C (g/100 ml): 2.25 in absolute alcohol, 0.015 in anhydrous ether, practically insoluble in chloroform, benzene, petroleum ether
Dissociation constant: K = 7.1X10-5 at 14.1 °C
Colour: white
Melting/freezing point: 183 ℃
Initial boiling point and range: 400.5 ℃
Flash point: 210.1 ℃
Vapour pressure: 0.0000000005 ㎜Hg
Water solubility: 150000 ㎎/ℓ (21C)
n-Octanol/water partition coefficient (Kow): -1.34
Molecular weight: 174.17

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 3 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 conditioner1
Deodorizer1
Anti-dandruff (EPA)1

Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard

Irritation and sensitisation studies

1 skin studies and 0 eye studies are on record.

Classed as low1

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 1 studies

Not likely to be sensitizing
skin sensitisation: in vivo (LLNA) · Screening · according to OECD Guideline 429 (Skin Sensitisation: Local Lymph Node Assay)