Ingredient Dictionary

SUCCINIC ACID

Succinic acid is an alpha,-dicarboxylic acid resulting from the formal oxidation of each of the terminal methyl groups of butane to the corresponding carboxy group.

How much products actually contain

7 products state the amountmedian 0.5%

under 0.01% 2
0.01–0.1% 0
0.1–1% 3
1% or more 2

Amounts are mostly stated by products named after the ingredient, so they may lean towards token amounts.

Of the products containing it, 47 list it before the 1% line and 55 after it (usually 1% or less).

Products using this ingredient

12 of 102 confirmed · likeliest to carry enough first · See all 102

Definition

Succinic acid is an alpha,-dicarboxylic acid resulting from the formal oxidation of each of the terminal methyl groups of butane to the corresponding carboxy group. It is an intermediate metabolite in the citric acid cycle. It has a role as a micronutrient, an anti-ulcer drug, a nutraceutical, a radiation protective agent and a fundamental metabolite. It is an alpha,omega-dicarboxylic acid and a C4-dicarboxylic acid. It is a conjugate acid of a succinate(1-).

Source: PubChem

US FDA substance register · UNII AB6MNQ6J6L · registered name Succinic Acid · single chemical substance

Source: US FDA Unique Ingredient Identifier (UNII)

Cosmetic roles

Keeps pH steadyBUFFERINGListed as a fragrance-composition material (not a claim that it adds scent)FRAGRANCE

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: Final Report of the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel on the Safety Assessment of Dicarboxylic Acids, Salts and Esters

Source: US Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)

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

Official labels & definitions

JCIA labelling name コハク酸: 本品は、次の化学式で表されるジカルボン酸である。

Source: JCIA labelling names (Japan)

Names & identifiers

SUCCINIC ACIDINCI석시닉애씨드Korean label name (MFDS standard)Butanedioic acidSynonymコハク酸Japanese labelling name

CAS No.chemical registry number: 110-15-6
EC No.EU chemical inventory number: 203-740-4
DTXSIDUS EPA chemical ID: DTXSID6023602
DTXCIDUS EPA compound ID: DTXCID303602

IUPAC: Butanedioic acid
Molecular formula: C4H6O4
Molecular weight: 118.088 g/mol

Measured properties

Appearance: Succinic acid appears as white crystals or shiny white odorless crystalline powder. pH of 0.1 molar solution: 2.7. Very acid taste. (NTP, 1992) · Liquid, Other Solid, CBI, Dry Powder
Odour: Odorless · odourless
Boiling point: 455 °F at 760 mmHg (Decomposes) (NTP, 1992) · 235 dec °C
Melting point: 363 to 365 °F (NTP, 1992) · 188 °C
Solubility: 5 to 10 mg/mL at 72 °F (NTP, 1992) · 83200 mg/L (at 25 °C)
Density: 1.572 at 68 °F (NTP, 1992) - Denser than water, will sink · 1.572 @ 25 °C/4 °C
pH: pH = 2.7 (0.1 molar aq soln) · 2.7 ()
Dissociation constant: 4.21 (at 25 °C) · pK1 = 4.207, pK2 = 5.635 at 25 °C
Colour: white
Melting/freezing point: 188 ℃
Initial boiling point and range: 235 ℃
Flash point: 160 ℃((Open cup))
Vapour pressure: 0.000000191 ㎜Hg((25 ℃))
Water solubility: 83200 ㎎/ℓ(at 25 C)
n-Octanol/water partition coefficient (Kow): -0.59
Auto-ignition temperature: 470 ℃
Molecular weight: 118.09

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 23 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 agent4
Flavouring and nutrient3
Fragrance2
Processing aids not otherwise specified2
Deodorizer2
Intermediate2
Plasticizer1
Plating agent1

6 other uses

Monomers1
Lubricating agent1
Dispersing agent1
Propellants, non-motive (blowing agents)1
Chemical reaction regulator1
Solvent1

Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard

Irritation and sensitisation studies

4 skin studies and 2 eye studies are on record.

Classed as low3

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 6 studies

Category 6.3B (Category 3)
Skin Irritation · Read Across
Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
skin irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 404 (Acute Dermal Irritation / Corrosion) according to EU Method B.4 (Acute Toxicity: Dermal Irritation / Corrosion) according to
Not likely to be sensitizing
skin sensitisation: in vivo (non-LLNA) · Screening · according to OECD Guideline 406 (Skin Sensitisation) according to EU Method B.6 (Skin Sensitisation) according to EPA OPPTS 870.2600 (Skin Sensitisation)
Not likely to be sensitizing
skin sensitisation: in vivo (LLNA) · Screening · according to OECD Guideline 429 (Skin Sensitisation: Local Lymph Node Assay) according to EU Method B.42 (Skin Sensitisation: Local Lymph Node Assay) according to EPA OPPTS 870.2600 (Skin Sensitisation)
Corrosive or Irritation Persists for > 21 days
eye irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 405 (Acute Eye Irritation / Corrosion) according to EU Method B.5 (Acute Toxicity: Eye Irritation / Corrosion) according to
Category 6.4A (Category 2A)
Eye Irritation · Read Across