Ingredient Dictionary/hydroxyacetophenone/HYDROXYACETOPHENONE
Tier 1 Monograph · SSOT 15 FieldsRaw .md (GEO) ↗
Synthetic

HYDROXYACETOPHENONE

Antioxidant
[EU CosIng Official Definition] Hydroxyacetophenone is the organic compound
Executive Regulatory & Safety Fact BoxAEO / GEO CITATION ANCHOR

What is HYDROXYACETOPHENONE (CAS 99-93-4) in cosmetics and what are its global regulatory limits?

HYDROXYACETOPHENONE (CAS No. 99-93-4) is a verified cosmetic ingredient primarily functioning as Antioxidant in topical formulations. Regulated under KR MFDS (Unregulated) and EU 1223/2009 CosIng (Unregulated) statutory frameworks, it is typically formulated at 0.2–1% within an optimal stability window of pH 3–9.

7-Track Official Regulatory Label Names Matrix

Primary Statutory Gazette Only · Zero Machine Translation
7-Track Official Statutory Label Names for HYDROXYACETOPHENONE
Jurisdiction TrackOfficial Statutory Label NameOne-Click Copy
1. Korea (MFDS Standard Name)HYDROXYACETOPHENONE (KR MFDS Registered)
2. Korea Former Nomenclature History——
3. European Union (EU CosIng Glossary)HYDROXYACETOPHENONE
4. United States (US PCPC / MoCRA INCI)HYDROXYACETOPHENONE
5. US FDA OTC Monograph Active Name— (Cosmetic Inactive / Non-OTC)—
6. China (NMPA IECIC Standard Name)对羟基苯乙酮
7. Japan (JCIA Standard / MHLW Quasi-Drug)HYDROXYACETOPHENONE (Standard INCI Reference)

Layer 1 — Statutory Regulatory Limits Across 6 Regions

Layer 1 Statutory Regulatory Limits Across 6 Regions for HYDROXYACETOPHENONE
RegionStatusMax LimitConditions & Statutory Source
Korea (MFDS)UnregulatedGMPListed in official cosmetic inventory
Europe (EU)UnregulatedGMPListed in official cosmetic inventory
United States (FDA)UnregulatedGMPListed in official cosmetic inventory
China (NMPA)Listed / AllowedGMPIECIC Entry #2021
Japan (MHLW)UnregulatedGMPListed in official cosmetic inventory
ASEAN (ACD)UnregulatedGMPListed in official cosmetic inventory

Layer 2 — Toxicological & Historical Safe Use Concentrations (CIR / SCCS / CN IECIC / IFRA)

“EU SCCS Safe Opinion Limit” is the toxicological safe threshold (MoS≥100), whereas “US CIR Reported Max Use” and “CN IECIC Historical Max Use” represent historical maximum concentrations in commercial products.

Layer 2 Toxicological & Historical Safe Use Concentrations for HYDROXYACETOPHENONE
Assessment BasisApplication ScopeConcentration RangeVerdict & Dossier Reference
CN IECIC Historical Max Useleave_on≤ 2.5%Safe (MoS≥100)NMPA IECIC (2025) Entry 05226 (2025)
CN IECIC Historical Max Userinse_off≤ 2.3%Safe (MoS≥100)NMPA IECIC (2025) Entry 05226 (2025)
⚠️ Reference Only (Legal Disclaimer): The regulatory limits, ingredient names, and formulation ranges in this dictionary are provided for R&D reference only. Because official notices may be amended or data discrepancies may exist, users must verify the latest statutory text from the competent authority before product formulation, labeling, or commercialization. UNIZ LAB assumes no legal liability for the use of this information.
Interactive Quartile Box-Plot (Min–Q1–Median–Q3–Max)

Layer 3 Formulation Concentration Box-Plot vs. Statutory Limit

Aqueous Serum / Ampoulen=62
Min 0.2% · Q1 0.3% · Median 0.5% · Q3 0.5% · Max 1%
Emulsion / Creamn=94
Min 0.3% · Q1 0.4% · Median 0.5% · Q3 0.7% · Max 1%
Aqueous Serum / Ampoule — Multifunctional antioxidant, soothing & preservative booster
Verified Source: Symrise SymSave H Technical Dossier & CN IECIC (cn_iecic_2025) · Symrise 42 · Evonik 20
Typical Median: 0.5%

Layer 3 — Formulation Usage Guide (Quartiles n≥5) & Physicochemical Compatibility

Layer 3 Formulation Concentration Quartiles by Product Category for HYDROXYACETOPHENONE
Formulation GroupMin – Q1 – Median – Q3 – Max (%)Role & MechanismSource ID
Group A — Aqueous Toner / Serum / Ampoule0.2% · 0.3% · 0.5% · 0.5% · 1%Multifunctional antioxidant, soothing & preservative boosterSymrise SymSave H Technical Dossier & CN IECIC
Group B — O/W & W/O Emulsion / Lotion / Cream0.3% · 0.4% · 0.5% · 0.7% · 1%Preservative-free emulsion stabilizer & anti-discoloration agentSymrise SymSave H TDS
Cutaneous Permeation Science (500 Dalton Rule)MW: 136.15 Da · LogP: 1.35

Stratum Corneum Penetration Depth & Bio-Spicule Transdermal Delivery

Stratum Corneum (Brick & Mortar Barrier · 10–20 µm)500 Da Molecular Weight Cutoff BarrierViable Epidermis (Keratinocytes & Melanocytes · 50–100 µm)Target for Brightening (Tyrosinase/Melanosome) & Barrier LipidsPapillary Dermis (Fibroblasts & ECM Collagen · 150–300 µm)Target for Collagen I/III Synthesis, Peptides, PDRN & ExosomesEpidermal Passive Permeation (<500 Da)
Molecular Weight & LogP Permeation Diagnosis
Low Molecular Weight (136.15 Da ≤ 500 Da) — Passive Permeation Feasible

Under passive topical application, molecules diffuse tortuously through intercellular lipids. Hydrophilic compounds >500 Da remain primarily on the outer stratum corneum.

Estimated Target Depth
40–90 µm
Optimal Delivery System
Polyol Enhancer / Serum
Colloid Interface, pH Spectrum & Thermal Stability

pH Stability Window (0–14), Thermal Limit & HLB Colloidal Phase Behavior

Soluble in hot water (>60°C) or glycols
Optimal Formulation pH Stability Window (0–14)pH 3.0 – 9.0
0245.5791114

Outside pH 3–9, risk of hydrolysis, viscosity loss, or ionic dissociation increases.

Maximum Thermal Processing Limit (°C)≤ 85°C
25°C45°C60°C75°C85°C100°C

Thermally stable up to 85°C during standard emulsification.

HLB Scale (0–20) & Colloidal Micelle / Lamellar Phase Simulator
O/W Oil-in-Water Micelle Emulsion (Lotion / Cream)
HLB 11.5
W/O (3–6)Lamellar (8–10.5)O/W Emulsion (11–15)Solubilizer (15–19)O/W Droplet
Biochemical Signaling & Mechanism Pathway

Cellular & Molecular Target Mechanism Flow

1. Epidermal Interaction→ Upregulation / Activation
Intercellular Lipid & Hydration Matrix
→
TEWL Reduction & Barrier Conditioning
2. Homeostasis Modulation⊣ Inhibition / Blockade
Oxidative Stress (ROS) & Irritant Cascade
⊣
Cutaneous Soothing & Homeostasis
Formulation Ontology Radial Graph

Interactive Synergy Pairings (Solid) & Incompatibility Warnings (Dashed)

+ 1,2-HEXANEDIOL+ CAPRYLYL GLYCOL+ ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN+ SODIUM PHYTATE✕ May develop slight y…HYDROXYACETOPHENONE
Interactive Node Guide

Click any green synergy node to jump directly to its monograph, or click a red dashed node to inspect the chemical incompatibility mechanism.

Nominative Trade Name References (Trademark Act Art. 90(1)(2))
SymSave® H

Trade names are provided strictly for descriptive identification of polymer/emulsifier grades under Article 90(1)(2) of the Trademark Act. All trademarks belong to their respective owners.

Academic & Toxicological Synthesis

Tier 1 Synthesis

Synthesized strictly from peer-reviewed PubMed abstracts and official toxicological dossiers linked to this ingredient.

■ [1. Chemical Identity & International Labeling Nomenclature] - INCI Name: HYDROXYACETOPHENONE | CAS No.: 99-93-4 | EC No.: 202-802-8 - Origin: SYNTHETIC | Functions: - Physicochemical Profile: Formula C8H8O2 | MW 136.15 g/mol | LogP 1.35 | Ionic Nature: non-ionic | PubChem CID 7469 - Official Regional Label Names: US [HYDROXYACETOPHENONE] · EU [HYDROXYACETOPHENONE] · CN [对羟基苯乙酮] · JP [-] · JP Quasi-Drug [-] ■ [2. Dermatological Mechanism of Action & Functional Role] - Hydroxyacetophenone is the organic compound Classified under origin 'synthetic', it acts within the cosmetic vehicle or stratum corneum to deliver performance and structural formulation stability. ■ [3. Global 6-Jurisdiction Regulatory Status & Safety Limits (Layer 1 & Layer 2)] - Regional Summary: KR: NONE | EU: NONE | US: NONE | CN: ALLOWED | JP: NONE | ASEAN: NONE (CN IECIC (2025) Entry No. 2021 (对羟基苯乙酮)) - No specific Annex prohibition or numeric restriction across the 6 major jurisdictions (Permitted under general GMP safety assessment). - Official Safety & Historical Use Concentration (Layer 2): CN_IECIC_2025 (cn_iecic_max, leave_on): Max 2.5% / CN_IECIC_2025 (cn_iecic_max, rinse_off): Max 2.3% ■ [4. Formulation Dosage Guide by Product Category (Layer 3-A)] - [aqueous_serum] Typical range: 0.2 ~ 1.0% (Median 0.5%, Ref: Symrise SymSave H Technical Dossier & CN IECIC) — Multifunctional antioxidant, soothing & preservative booster - [emulsion_cream] Typical range: 0.3 ~ 1.0% (Median 0.5%, Ref: Symrise SymSave H TDS) — Preservative-free emulsion stabilizer & anti-discoloration agent ■ [5. Formulation Engineering, Stability & Incompatibility Matrix (Layer 3-B)] - Addition Phase: Hot Water Phase (70~80°C) or pre-dissolved in 1,2-Hexanediol / Propanediol - Optimal pH Range: pH 3.0 ~ 9.0 | Max Process Temp: Max 85°C | Electrolyte Tolerance: HIGH - Incompatibility / Caution: May develop slight yellowish tint above pH 8.0 or with trace iron ions; combine with chelating agent - Synergy Pairings: 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, SODIUM PHYTATE | Reference Trade Names: SymSave® H ■ [6. Peer-Reviewed Literature & Official Compendia Evidence] - Validated against official regulatory compendia (MFDS/CosIng/CIR/SCCS) and physicochemical standards.

Linked Peer-Reviewed Literature (NIH PubMed) (0)

Statutory toxicology dossier verified via CosIng / MFDS / CIR compendia.

Frequently Asked Questions (AEO Position 0)

Q1. What are the official 7-track regulatory label names for HYDROXYACETOPHENONE?
Standard label names are US PCPC INCI: 'HYDROXYACETOPHENONE', EU CosIng: 'HYDROXYACETOPHENONE', KR MFDS: 'HYDROXYACETOPHENONE (KR MFDS Registered)', CN NMPA IECIC: '对羟基苯乙酮', and JP JCIA: 'HYDROXYACETOPHENONE'.
Q2. Is HYDROXYACETOPHENONE restricted or permitted in EU, US, KR, CN, and JP cosmetics?
Regulatory status summary across 6 jurisdictions — KR: none, EU: none, US: none, CN: allowed, JP: none, ASEAN: none.
Q3. What is the typical formulation concentration and optimal pH window for HYDROXYACETOPHENONE?
In aqueous_serum systems, HYDROXYACETOPHENONE is typically formulated between 0.2% and 1% (median 0.5%), with an optimal stability window of pH 3–9.
Q4. What are the known formulation incompatibilities and synergy pairings for HYDROXYACETOPHENONE?
Recommended synergy pairings include 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, SODIUM PHYTATE. Key incompatibilities to avoid: May develop slight yellowish tint above pH 8.0 or with trace iron ions; combine with chelating agent.