Is Pyruvic Acid safe in cosmetics?
Pyruvic Acid has a safety rating of "MODERATE" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted.
Moderate
Active Ingredient
Pyruvic Acid
Also known as: EC No.: 204-824-3, 4-03-00-01505, BRN 0506211, EINECS 204-824-3, FEMA No. 2970 (+15 more)
INCI: PYRUVIC ACID
Pyruvic Acid (CAS 127-17-3) is a cosmetic active ingredient functioning as Alpha-keto acid (MW 88 Da) used as a versatile medium-depth peel agent at. EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: permitted, max 40–70% professional peel use only. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database. Same-CAS public records also appear in industrial chemical safety and pharmaceutical data.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 127-17-3 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Cross-Vertical Regulatory Divergence
Pyruvic Acid is classified GHS Danger (H314, H318) in the chemicals database but is allowed in EU cosmetics at max 40–70% professional peel use only.
Source: Cosmetics: ingredients.eu_status/eu_max; Chemicals: ghs_classifications.signal_word/hazard_statement_code
Function
Alpha-keto acid (MW 88 Da) used as a versatile medium-depth peel agent at 40–70% concentrations. Converts to lactic acid on skin contact, providing combined alpha-keto acid and AHA activity. Penetrates deeper than glycolic acid at equivalent concentrations due to both mechanisms. Has keratoplastic and keratoreconstructive properties. Requires careful neutralisation protocols due to volatile, pungent fumes during application.
Safety Rating
MODERATE
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
EU Max Conc.
40–70% professional peel use only
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
Professional-use chemical peel agent. Not classified as OTC cosmetic. Requires trained application under clinical supervision. Volatile fumes require appropriate ventilation and safety precautions during procedure.
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Pyruvic Acid.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
ECHA REACH Registration
European Chemicals Agency REACH dossier and Substances of Very High Concern listing.
Registration Type
Intermediate
Tonnage Band
Intermediate use only
Substance Type
SUBSTANCE
SVHC Candidate
No
Additional Ingredient Properties
5 property records from structured ingredient metadata.
anti_aging
{"anti_aging_claim": "cell-turnover, collagen-boosting", "mechanism_of_action": "Exfoliation, cell turnover acceleration, keratolytic", "target_skin_layer": "stratum corneum, epidermis", "collagen_stimulation": "Moderate", "elastin_protection": "Mild", "wrinkle_reduction_pct": "12-22", "clinical_study_duration_weeks": "12", "sample_size": "40", "double_blind": "Yes", "placebo_controlled": "Yes", "…
cost_pricing
{"cost_tier": "premium", "estimated_cost_per_kg_usd_low": "85", "estimated_cost_per_kg_usd_high": "160", "natural_premium_markup_pct": "0", "organic_certified_premium_pct": "0", "supply_chain_volatility": "low", "primary_source_region": "Europe", "bulk_discount_threshold_kg": "25", "seasonal_price_variation": "low", "commodity_or_specialty": "specialty", "substitute_ingredients": "Glycolic Acid, L…
exfoliant
{"cas_number": "127-17-3", "ingredient_class": "AHA", "chemical_subclass": "alpha_hydroxy_acid", "molecular_weight_Da": "88.06", "pKa_value": "2.5", "pH_dependent_activity": "yes", "optimal_pH_range": "2.0-3.0", "ionization_state_at_pH_3_5": "~90% ionized", "penetration_depth": "epidermis/dermal_epidermal_junction", "mechanism_of_action": "desmolysis/keratin_dissolution", "target_bonds": "desmosom…
microbiome
{"cas_number": "127-17-3", "ingredient_class": "postbiotic", "microbial_source_genus": "Lactobacillus", "microbial_source_species": "various", "fermentation_substrate": "glucose", "live_organism_content": "no", "bioactive_components": "organic_acids", "molecular_weight_range_Da": "88", "pH_of_ingredient": "2.5-4.5", "mechanism_of_action": "pH_modulation/antioxidant", "skin_microbiome_effect": "bal…
skin_suitability
{"oily_skin": "acceptable", "dry_skin": "caution", "sensitive_skin": "avoid", "combination_skin": "acceptable", "normal_skin": "caution", "acne_prone": "acceptable", "rosacea": "avoid", "eczema": "avoid", "hyperpigmentation": "recommended", "aging_mature": "acceptable", "dehydrated": "caution", "skin_benefit_primary": "exfoliating", "skin_benefit_secondary": "brightening", "mechanism_of_action": "…
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Deodorizer
Flavouring and nutrient
Fragrance
No specific technical function
pH regulating agent
Regulatory List Membership (3)
IFRA Fragrance Transparency List
FDA Substances Added to Food (EAFUS)
Consumer Product Chemical
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Pyruvic Acid.
Regulatory Flags
professional-use-only
chemical-peel
volatile-fumes
not-for-consumer-cosmetics
deeper-than-glycolic
neutralisation-critical
pih-risk
requires-clinical-supervision
ifra_fragrance
fda_food_additive
jecfa_safe
Known Synonyms
EC No.: 204-824-3
4-03-00-01505
BRN 0506211
EINECS 204-824-3
FEMA No. 2970
2-Oxopropansaeure
UNII-8558G7RUTR
2-Oxopropionate
2-Oxopropionsaeure
2-ketopropionic acid
Acetylformate
BTS
CH3COCOOH
Pyroracemate
Pyruvate
a-Ketopropionate
a-Ketopropionic acid
alpha-Ketopropionate
alpha-Oxopropionsaeure
alpha-ketopropionic acid
Chemical Function
Deodorizer
pH regulating agent
Fragrance
No specific technical function
Flavouring and nutrient
Regulatory Lists
Australia; Food and drug - smoking-related products
IFRA Transparency
Europe
food_additive; Substances Added to Food (formerly EAFUS) (2/2019)
Canada; pharmaceutical
Canada; pharmaceutical
Canada; pharmaceutical
consumer_product
Australian Status
AICIS status: listed
Cross-Vertical Safety Context
Same-CAS public records found in pharmaceutical data.
SOURCE
ChEMBL / DrugCentral / FAERS
DB_PHARMA CAS match
Pharmaceutical Data
Same-CAS rows from the pharmaceutical spoke database.
Compound
PYRUVATE
ChEMBL ID
CHEMBL1162144
Max Phase
2
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pyruvic Acid allowed in the EU?
Pyruvic Acid EU regulatory status: permitted. Maximum allowed concentration: 40–70% professional peel use only. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Pyruvic Acid do in cosmetics?
Pyruvic Acid functions as: Alpha-keto acid (MW 88 Da) used as a versatile medium-depth peel agent at 40–70% concentrations. Converts to lactic acid on skin contact, providing combined alpha-keto acid and AHA activity. Penetrates deeper than glycolic acid at equivalent concentrations due to both mechanisms. Has keratoplastic and keratoreconstructive properties. Requires careful neutralisation protocols due to volatile, pungent fumes during application.. It is classified as a Active Ingredient in our database. CAS number: 127-17-3.
Is Pyruvic Acid used outside cosmetics?
Pyruvic Acid also appears in industrial chemical safety and pharmaceutical data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Does Pyruvic Acid have different safety status in cosmetics vs industrial chemicals?
Pyruvic Acid is classified GHS Danger (H314, H318) in the chemicals database but is allowed in EU cosmetics at max 40–70% professional peel use only.
Compliance Tools
Check Pyruvic Acid compliance across multiple jurisdictions:
Ingredient Decoder
Paste a full ingredient list for instant analysis
82 Allergen Checker
Check for EU declarable fragrance allergens
Substance Compliance
Check compliance across multiple jurisdictions
MoS Calculator
Calculate Margin of Safety using SCCS methodology
Heavy Metal Limits
Compare limits across jurisdictions
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