Excellent Active Ingredient Dermal Penetration

Phytic Acid

INCI: PHYTIC ACID

Phytic Acid (CAS 83-86-3) is a cosmetic active ingredient functioning as Inositol hexaphosphate functioning primarily as a chelating agent and. EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: permitted. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database. Same-CAS public records also appear in industrial chemical safety, pharmaceutical, and food safety data.

View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 83-86-3 →

Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
CAS Number
83-86-3
View industrial chemical safety profile →
Function
Inositol hexaphosphate functioning primarily as a chelating agent and antioxidant with mild keratolytic properties. One of the gentlest exfoliants available. Inhibits melanin production via chelation of metal ions required for tyrosinase activity. Frequently used in combination with other acids to enhance overall exfoliating efficacy while minimising irritation. Natural origin from grains and seeds.
Safety Rating
EXCELLENT

Chemistry & Identifiers

Formula
C6H18O24P6
MW
660.04 g/mol
EC Number
201-506-6
PubChem CID
890
IUPAC Name
(2,3,4,5,6-pentaphosphonooxycyclohexyl) dihydrogen phosphate
InChIKey
IMQLKJBTEOYOSI-UHFFFAOYSA-N
ChEBI: CHEBI:17401 UNII: 7IGF0S7R8I Wikidata: Q409679

Regulatory Status

EU EU Status permitted
US US Status permitted
US Notes Assessed as safe in cosmetics. GRAS as food additive. Natural plant-derived ingredient with well-established safety record in both food and cosmetic applications.

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

Safety Data

Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Phytic Acid.

Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.

Dermal Penetration Profile

Skin absorption and penetration characteristics of Phytic Acid, relevant to systemic exposure and MoS calculations.

Absorption %
0.1-0.5%
Penetration Level
surface
Penetration Depth
surface only
Molecular Weight
660.0 Da
Log P
-5.5
Systemic Absorption
minimal
Topical Bioavailability
0.05-0.2%
Safety Margin Factor
minimal
Vehicle Dependent
Yes — absorption varies by formulation

Source: Cosmetic Science

EPA ToxValDB — Toxicity Values

5 toxicity values from EPA ToxValDB (aggregated from CCTE, HPV, ToxRefDB, IRIS, and other regulatory dossiers).

Endpoint Value Species Route Duration Source
LD50 ~900 mg/kg Mouse oral - ECHA IUCLID
LD50 ~1150 mg/kg Mouse oral - ECHA IUCLID
LD50 =1150 mg/kg Mouse oral - ECHA IUCLID
LD50 =1160 mg/kg Mouse oral - ECHA IUCLID
LD50 =900 mg/kg Mouse oral - ECHA IUCLID

ECHA REACH Registration

European Chemicals Agency REACH dossier and Substances of Very High Concern listing.

Registration Type
Full
Tonnage Band
1 - 10 tonnes
Substance Type
SUBSTANCE
SVHC Candidate
No

Additional Ingredient Properties

10 property records from structured ingredient metadata.

acne
{"cas_number": "83-86-3", "anti_acne_mechanism": "keratolytic/anti_inflammatory", "comedogenicity_rating_0_to_5": "0", "acne_type_efficacy": "non_inflammatory/inflammatory", "sebum_reduction_pct_clinical": "5-10", "keratolytic_strength": "mild", "exfoliation_mechanism": "chemical", "optimal_ph_for_efficacy": "3.5-5.0", "peel_depth": "superficial", "prescription_required_usa": "No", "otc_drug_monog…
anti_aging
{"anti_aging_claim": "brightening, antioxidant-protection", "mechanism_of_action": "Exfoliation, cell turnover acceleration, keratolytic", "target_skin_layer": "stratum corneum, epidermis", "collagen_stimulation": "Mild", "elastin_protection": "Mild", "wrinkle_reduction_pct": "8-15", "clinical_study_duration_weeks": "12", "sample_size": "40", "double_blind": "No", "placebo_controlled": "Yes", "pub…
baby_pediatric
{"cas_number": "83-86-3", "ingredient_class": "other", "pediatric_safety_rating": "excellent", "minimum_age_months": "0", "neonatal_safe": "yes", "premature_infant_safe": "yes", "skin_barrier_maturity_consideration": "Natural chelator, rice/corn", "transepidermal_absorption_risk_pediatric": "low", "systemic_exposure_concern_pediatric": "low", "dose_per_kg_body_weight_concern": "Chelator/buffer fun…
concentration
{"min_concentration_pct": "0.5", "max_concentration_pct": "2.0", "typical_concentration_pct": "1.0", "product_type": "Toner", "function_at_concentration": "Brightening", "source": "Supplier TDS"}
cost_pricing
{"cost_tier": "mid-range", "estimated_cost_per_kg_usd_low": "35", "estimated_cost_per_kg_usd_high": "65", "natural_premium_markup_pct": "45", "organic_certified_premium_pct": "85", "supply_chain_volatility": "low", "primary_source_region": "China/Europe", "synthetic_vs_natural_cost_ratio": "2.0", "bulk_discount_threshold_kg": "50", "seasonal_price_variation": "low", "commodity_or_specialty": "spec…
deodorant
{"cas_number": "83-86-3", "ingredient_class": "other", "mechanism_of_action": "metal_ion_chelation", "antiperspirant_efficacy_sweat_reduction_pct": "0", "deodorant_efficacy_hours": "0", "odor_reduction_pct": "0", "bacteriostatic": "no", "bactericidal": "no", "microbiome_impact": "neutral", "axillary_microbiome_effect": "varies by ingredient", "MIC_value_if_antimicrobial": "varies", "astringency_le…
dermal_absorption
{"molecular_weight_da": "660.0", "log_p_value": "-5.5", "skin_penetration_level": "surface", "penetration_depth": "surface only", "absorption_pct": "0.1-0.5", "systemic_absorption": "minimal", "penetration_enhancer": "no", "occlusion_effect": "no", "vehicle_dependent": "yes", "skin_barrier_effect": "neutral", "bioavailability_topical_pct": "0.05-0.2", "safety_margin_factor": "minimal", "source": "…
ecotoxicity
{"biodegradable": "yes", "biodegradation_days": "28-60", "bioaccumulative": "no", "aquatic_toxicity_level": "low", "coral_reef_safe": "yes", "marine_toxicity": "low aquatic toxicity", "freshwater_toxicity": "minimal impact", "endocrine_disruptor": "no", "persistent_organic_pollutant": "no", "microplastic": "no", "nano_particle": "no", "hawaii_banned": "no", "eu_restricted_environmental": "no", "pa…

Function Categories & List Membership

Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Chelating agent
Regulatory List Membership (1)
EU Restricted for Children (Cosmetics)

Expert Verdict

Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Phytic Acid.

Regulatory Flags

natural-origin gentle-exfoliant chelating antioxidant anti-pigmentation tyrosinase-inhibitor combination-synergist gras no-photosensitivity sensitive-skin-safe eu_children_restricted

Chemical Function

Chelating agent

Regulatory Lists

pharmaceutical Canada; pharmaceutical children; Europe; Personal care children; Europe; Personal care - general moisturizing - hand/body lotion children; Europe; Personal care - dental care - toothpaste Europe; Personal care - oral and dental care - teeth whitener Europe; Personal care - oral and dental care - teeth whitener children; Europe; Personal care children; Europe; Personal care - general moisturizing - hand/body lotion children; Europe; Personal care - dental care - toothpaste Europe; Personal care - oral and dental care - teeth whitener Europe; Personal care - oral and dental care - teeth whitener

Australian Status

AICIS status: listed

Cross-Vertical Safety Context

Same-CAS public records found in pharmaceutical and food safety data.

SOURCE ChEMBL / DrugCentral / FAERS DB_PHARMA CAS match

Pharmaceutical Data

Same-CAS rows from the pharmaceutical spoke database.

Compound
PHYTIC ACID
ChEMBL ID
CHEMBL1233511
Max Phase
3
Adverse Event Associations
11
View full pharmaceutical profile →
SOURCE EFSA / FDA GRAS food_additives + fda_gras_enriched

Food Safety Data

Same-CAS food additive or FDA GRAS records from the core public database.

Food Name
Phytic acid
FDA GRAS
FDA has no questions
GRN
381
Food Category
preservative

As an antioxidant, chelating agent, and antimicrobial agent in beverages and beverage bases, milk products, processed vegetables, and vegetable juices at a level of 0.2% Use in limiting solubility reduction and providing strength to dietary supplement...

View full food safety profile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Phytic Acid safe in cosmetics?

Phytic Acid has a safety rating of "EXCELLENT" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted.

Is Phytic Acid allowed in the EU?

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

What does Phytic Acid do in cosmetics?

Phytic Acid functions as: Inositol hexaphosphate functioning primarily as a chelating agent and antioxidant with mild keratolytic properties. One of the gentlest exfoliants available. Inhibits melanin production via chelation of metal ions required for tyrosinase activity. Frequently used in combination with other acids to enhance overall exfoliating efficacy while minimising irritation. Natural origin from grains and seeds.. It is classified as a Active Ingredient in our database. CAS number: 83-86-3.

Is Phytic Acid used outside cosmetics?

Phytic Acid also appears in industrial chemical safety, pharmaceutical, and food safety data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.

Does Phytic Acid have different safety status in cosmetics vs industrial chemicals?

Phytic Acid is classified GHS Danger (H290, H302, H314, H318, H335) in the chemicals database but is allowed in EU cosmetics.

Compliance Tools

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MoS Calculator
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Heavy Metal Limits
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