The ingredient, explained
Levulinic Acid
4-Oxovaleric acid
Ingredient guide
What it is and what it does
About this ingredient: EU CosIng ingredient registry (via Open Beauty Facts taxonomy) ↗
- Perfuming
- A formulation role for perfume and aromatic raw materials that give a product its scent.
- Skin conditioning
- A broad cosmetic role for maintaining skin condition. It does not identify a particular clinical benefit.
Function definitions: Danish Environmental Protection Agency: Cosmetic fragrance functions ↗ · 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
We have not yet published a checked study for this exact ingredient. This is a gap in our coverage, not a finding that research does not exist or that the ingredient is ineffective.
Ingredient research is not proof that a product containing this ingredient works.
Follow the formula
Products containing this ingredient
From the wider catalogue. Linked by the ingredient list, without an efficacy ranking.
Names and identifiers
- INCI name on ingredient lists
- LEVULINIC ACID
- CAS registry number
- 123-76-2
- EC number
- 204-649-2
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