Characteristics
- INCI
- Hydroxyacetophenone
- CAS
-
99-93-4
This is the substance number in the Chemical Abstracts Service registry. The CAS number uniquely identifies a substance regardless of language, trade name, or synonyms.
- EC
-
202-802-8
This is the substance number in the European chemical identification system (EC number), used in European regulatory databases including ECHA/CosIng.
- IUPAC
- Ethanone, 1-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)-,P-Hydroxyacetophenone
- Functions
- antioxidant
Who it's for
Description
Some ingredients do their job quietly in the background, and hydroxyacetophenone is very much one of those behind-the-scenes types. If you’ve been wondering hydroxyacetophenone adalah what, the short version is that it’s a synthetic aromatic compound used in skincare mostly to help formulas stay fresh, stable, and a little more skin-friendly. Its structure is based on an acetophenone core with a hydroxy group attached, which gives it some antioxidant activity and makes it useful in all sorts of cosmetic formulas.
In hydroxyacetophenone in skincare, its main claim to fame is being a preservative booster. That means it can help the preservative system work better, so the product is less likely to turn into a science experiment on your bathroom shelf. It also helps protect formulas from oxidation and can contribute a mild soothing effect. You’ll often see it in serums, moisturizers, cleansers, sunscreens, and sometimes hair products. If you’re searching for hydroxyacetophenone for skin, think of it less as an active treatment and more as a supportive ingredient that helps the whole formula behave itself.
As for hydroxyacetophenone safety, it’s generally considered safe when used at the low levels typical in cosmetics. That’s why you’ll see it in formulas designed for sensitive skin, where it can help reduce the need for harsher preservative load. The ingredient itself is not a miracle worker for acne, wrinkles, or pigmentation, and it’s not the kind of thing people usually talk about in relation to hydroxyacetophenone cancer concerns because it doesn’t have a reputation for being a carcinogenic ingredient in cosmetic use. That said, every ingredient can have a bad date with somebody’s skin, so hydroxyacetophenone side effects usually boil down to the usual suspects: occasional irritation or sensitivity in very reactive users.
If you like checking hydroxyacetophenone ewg scores, just remember that ratings are only one piece of the puzzle and not a substitute for how a formula actually performs on your skin. In real life, the question isn’t whether an ingredient sounds fancy enough for a lab coat; it’s whether your product is stable, comfortable, and safe for regular use. Hydroxyacetophenone tends to be a practical little helper that keeps things working behind the scenes without demanding much attention from your skin.
More detail
Hydroxyacetophenone is a multifunctional cosmetic ingredient used to help formulas stay fresh and perform well. It’s a synthetic aromatic compound that shows up in skincare as a preservative booster, meaning it can help support the effectiveness of the preservative system and improve product stability. It also has antioxidant properties, so it can help protect a formula from oxidation, and it’s often included for its soothing feel on skin.
For skin, hydroxyacetophenone is mainly valued for making products feel more comfortable and for helping them last longer on the shelf. It can be found in cleansers, serums, moisturizers, and sunscreen formulas, and it may also appear in some hair products where formula stability matters. People with sensitive, easily irritated, or reactive skin often appreciate ingredients like this because they support a gentler overall formula, though the ingredient itself is not a treatment for skin conditions.
Caveat: hydroxyacetophenone is generally used at low levels, but any ingredient can be a problem for someone who is personally sensitive to it. If a product stings or causes irritation, stop using it and check the full ingredient list. In short, it’s a behind-the-scenes helper: not the star of the formula, but a useful one.
Frequently Asked Questions about Hydroxyacetophenone
What is hydroxyacetophenone in skincare?
Is hydroxyacetophenone safe to use on skin?
Can hydroxyacetophenone cause side effects or irritation?
Does hydroxyacetophenone have any link to cancer?
What does hydroxyacetophenone do in a product?
Products with Hydroxyacetophenone (10 840 total)
Most often found in Eveline products (136 items)