The ingredient, explained
Dehydroacetic Acid
A published expert safety assessment covers the exact ingredient in the specified exposure context.
Ingredient guide
What it is and what it does
3-Acetyl-6-methyl-2H-pyran-2‚4-3H--dione
About this ingredient: EU CosIng ingredient registry (via Open Beauty Facts taxonomy) ↗
- Preservative
- Helps inhibit microbial growth in the cosmetic product.
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
Safety assessment
2023 re-review reaffirmed the prior safety conclusion for described cosmetic use and concentrations.
What this does not tell us
Published safety re-review, not preservative efficacy or skin benefit trial; prior and updated exposure bounds apply.
Sources for this summary. PubMed 38913451 ↗
Research review checked Oct 1, 2026
Bounded review of local candidates, exact-name indexed primary journal/PubMed safety and topical searches; not a systematic review.
Ingredient research is not proof that a product containing this ingredient works.
Read the 1 selected study
Safety assessment
Sodium Dehydroacetate and Dehydroacetic Acid. ↗
International journal of toxicology · 2024
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
3-Acetyl-6-methyl-2H-pyran-2‚4-3H--dione
- INCI name on ingredient lists
- DEHYDROACETIC ACID
- CAS registry number
- 520-45-6, 771-03-9, 16807-48-0
- EC number
- 208-293-9 / 212-227-4 / -
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