adipic acid ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is mainly used as a pH adjuster, buffering agent, and viscosity or texture modifier in cosmetic formulas. It can also support film formation in some polymer-based systems.
What does adipic acid do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is mainly used as a pH adjuster, buffering agent, and viscosity or texture modifier in cosmetic formulas. It can also support film formation in some polymer-based systems.
Is adipic acid clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, it is generally low-concern at normal cosmetic use levels, though like many acids it can sting or irritate when used at high levels or low pH. It is not a major allergen concern and has limited restricted-list friction.
Is adipic acid sustainable?
This material is commonly made from petrochemical feedstocks, although bio-based routes exist. It is readily biodegradable and not known for environmental persistence, but conventional manufacture has a notable greenhouse-gas footprint unless emissions controls are used.
Is adipic acid COSMOS-approved?
It has conditional alignment with COSMOS, depending on source and manufacturing route, with bio-based or otherwise approved grades fitting more cleanly than conventional petrochemical grades. From a Green Chemistry lens, its biodegradability is favorable, while fossil sourcing and oxidation chemistry are the main compromises.
How does adipic acid work chemically?
The molecule is a saturated six-carbon dicarboxylic acid with two carboxyl groups, which makes it useful for buffering, salt formation, and interactions with polymers. It is water-soluble to a limited degree, more soluble when neutralized, and is typically used at low levels adjusted to the target formula pH.
Last updated 2026-05-14