Dehydroacetic Acid

Keeps the formula fresh.

What it is

An organic compound made in a lab.

A preservative that helps keep the product free from microbial growth.

A short summary from the dictionary, not yet an in-depth article. About these entries

What it does in a formula

Keeps the formula freshOfficial EU function: Preservative

What official sources say

Worth knowing · The pure substance, EU

As a pure substance it is harmful by its classification (acute or organ toxicity) (EU harmonised classification). How much a product contains matters.

Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP), consolidated text, Annex VI Part 3 Table 3 (harmonised classifications), retrieved 2026-10-09

Restricted in certain uses · Cosmetics, EU

Allowed as a preservative in EU cosmetics up to 0.6% (as acid) (Annex V).

Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, Annex V: list of preservatives allowed in cosmetic products, retrieved 2026-10-09

A label gives no amounts, so none of this says a product is unsafe.