Undecanoic Acid

INCI: UNDECANOIC ACID

CAS Number
112-37-8
Function
Anti-sebum, cleansing, fragrance, surfactant (cleansing), surfactant (emulsifying)
Safety Rating
GOOD

Regulatory Status

🇪🇺 EU Status permitted
🇺🇸 US Status restricted
US Notes Not specifically restricted; used as OTC antifungal active (undecylenic acid/salts); FEMA \#3245

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

Safety Data

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

Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.

Expert Verdict

May cause mild skin irritation at high concentrations; antifungal activity means it is biologically active — confirm compatibility with preservative systems

⚠️
Concern Level: Moderate

Regulatory Flags

fragrance-component ifra_fragrance fda_food_additive jecfa_safe

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Undecanoic Acid safe in cosmetics?

May cause mild skin irritation at high concentrations; antifungal activity means it is biologically active — confirm compatibility with preservative systems The EU classifies Undecanoic Acid as "permitted". Safety rating: GOOD.

Is Undecanoic Acid allowed in the EU?

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

What does Undecanoic Acid do in cosmetics?

Undecanoic Acid functions as: Anti-sebum, cleansing, fragrance, surfactant (cleansing), surfactant (emulsifying). It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 112-37-8.

What is the Margin of Safety for Undecanoic 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.

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