Good Cosmetic Ingredient NOAEL Data GHS Classified

Acetic Acid

INCI: ACETIC ACID

CAS Number
64-19-7
Function
Buffering agent, pH adjuster, fragrance ingredient
Safety Rating
GOOD

Regulatory Status

🇪🇺 EU Status permitted
🇺🇸 US Status permitted
US Notes FDA GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe); permitted in cosmetics without restriction

For full compliance data across 55 jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.

Safety Data

Margin of Safety (MoS)
adequate
Dermal Absorption
high
Sensitization
low

Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.

Toxicological Studies

10 study endpoints found for Acetic Acid. NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) values are used to calculate the Margin of Safety per SCCS methodology.

Endpoint Value Route Species Study Type Source
NOAEL 390 mg/kg bw/day oral rat Subchronic COSMOS_DB
NOAEL 4500 mg/kg bw/day oral rat Short Term Toxicity COSMOS_DB
NOAEL 4500 mg/kg bw/day oral rat Carcinogenicity COSMOS_DB
NOAEL 400 mg/kg bw/day oral rabbit Chronic COSMOS_DB
NOAEL 700 mg/kg bw/day oral rabbit Chronic COSMOS_DB
NOAEL 1600 mg/kg bw/day oral rabbit Developmental COSMOS_DB
dose_tested 400 mg/kg bw/day oral rabbit Chronic COSMOS_DB
dose_tested 700 mg/kg bw/day oral rabbit Chronic COSMOS_DB
dose_tested 1600 mg/kg bw/day oral rabbit Developmental COSMOS_DB
NOAEL 290 mg/kg bw/day oral rat oral REACH

GHS Hazard Classification

Globally Harmonized System classification per ECHA C&L inventory and ILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Cards.

Signal Word
DANGER
Pictograms
flam;flame; corr; excl mark;warn; cancer;health haz
Hazard Statements
Flammable liquid and vapour Harmful in contact with skin or if inhaled May be harmful if swallowed Causes severe skin burns and eye damage May cause respiratory irritation Causes damage to the respiratory tract through prolonged or repeated exposure if inhaled Harmful to aquatic life
Short-term Exposure Effects
The substance is corrosive to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract. Corrosive on ingestion. Inhalation may cause lung oedema, but only after initial corrosive effects on eyes and/or airways have become manifest.
Long-term Exposure Effects
Repeated or prolonged contact with skin may cause dermatitis. Lungs may be affected by repeated or prolongated exposure to an aerosol of this substance. Risk of tooth erosion upon repeated or prolongated exposure to an aerosol of this substance.
Routes of Exposure
Serious local effects by all routes of exposure.

Expert Verdict

Corrosive at concentrated form (>80%); must verify final product pH is within safe range (typically pH ≥3.5 for leave-on). Concentration-dependent irritation.

⚠️
Concern Level: Moderate

Regulatory Flags

fragrance-component epa_safer_alternative ifra_fragrance fda_food_additive jecfa_safe

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Acetic Acid safe in cosmetics?

Corrosive at concentrated form (>80%); must verify final product pH is within safe range (typically pH ≥3.5 for leave-on). Concentration-dependent irritation. The EU classifies Acetic Acid as "permitted". Safety rating: GOOD. 10 toxicological study endpoint(s) are available in our database.

Is Acetic Acid allowed in the EU?

Acetic Acid EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.

What does Acetic Acid do in cosmetics?

Acetic Acid functions as: Buffering agent, pH adjuster, fragrance ingredient. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 64-19-7.

What is the Margin of Safety for Acetic Acid?

adequate The Margin of Safety (MoS) is calculated using SCCS methodology. A MoS above 100 is generally considered safe. Use the MoS Calculator tool to calculate MoS for your specific formulation and product category.

What is the NOAEL for Acetic Acid?

The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) for Acetic Acid is 390 mg/kg bw/day based on a Subchronic study via oral route in rat. A total of 10 study endpoints are available. Source: COSMOS_DB.

Is Acetic Acid classified as hazardous under GHS?

Acetic Acid carries a GHS signal word of "DANGER". Hazard statements: Flammable liquid and vapour Harmful in contact with skin or if inhaled May be harmful if swallowed Causes severe skin burns and eye damage May cause respiratory irritation Causes damage to the respiratory tract through prolonged or repeated exposure if inhaled Harmful to aquatic life. This classification is based on the ILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Card and ECHA C&L inventory data. Note: GHS classification applies to the pure substance — at cosmetic use concentrations, hazard thresholds may not be met.

Compliance Tools

Check Acetic Acid compliance across multiple jurisdictions:

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Ingredient Decoder
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82 Allergen Checker
Check for EU declarable fragrance allergens
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Substance Compliance
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MoS Calculator
Calculate Margin of Safety using SCCS methodology
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Heavy Metal Limits
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