The ingredient, explained
Aminobutyric Acid
Animal research tested topical gamma-aminobutyric acid.
Ingredient guide
What it is and what it does
4-Aminobutyric acid
About this ingredient: EU CosIng ingredient registry (via Open Beauty Facts taxonomy) ↗
- Hair conditioning
- Improves cosmetic hair properties such as softness, shine or combability.
Function definitions: European Commission ingredient function definitions (SCCNFP/0299/00, pages 16 to 20) ↗
Registry functions describe possible formulation roles, not results for a finished product. A dictionary entry is not an approval or a safety assessment.
A closer look
What the research shows
Animal research
Barrier recovery accelerated in experimentally disrupted mouse skin.
What this does not tell us
Animal mechanisms do not establish clinical cosmetic benefit.
Sources for this summary. PubMed 12445190 ↗
Research review checked Oct 1, 2026
Read exact local candidate abstracts first; select identity-relevant papers; targeted primary PubMed/publisher searches. This is not an exhaustive systematic review.
Ingredient research is not proof that a product containing this ingredient works.
Read the 1 selected study
Animal research
gamma-Aminobutyric acid (A) receptor agonists accelerate cutaneous barrier recovery and prevent epidermal hyperplasia induced by barrier disruption. ↗
The Journal of investigative dermatology · 2002
Follow the formula
Products containing this ingredient
From the wider catalogue. Linked by the ingredient list, without an efficacy ranking.
Names and identifiers
Registry identity
4-Aminobutyric acid
- INCI name on ingredient lists
- AMINOBUTYRIC ACID
- CAS registry number
- 56-12-2
- EC number
- 200-258-6
Sources for this ingredient record
- EU CosIng ingredient registry (via Open Beauty Facts taxonomy) ↗ · ODbL 1.0 (Open Beauty Facts database) · Recorded Aug 8, 2026