What does Acetic acid do?

Used in cosmetics as a pH buffer and a fragrance ingredient. Acetic Acid is the organic acid.

High concern: no hazard classifications on record. It is listed for cosmetic use in the EU.

beauty
cleaning
food
industrial

Acetic acid

CAS 463-83-2 · 60/100 · High conf.

Also registered as 5 other CAS numbers

6993-75-5 · 77671-22-8 · 1053656-97-5 · 1173022-32-6 · 64-19-7

Concern score

60/100High concern based on regulatory listings.

High confidence

Acetic acid in plain language

What it is: Also known as Glacial acetic acid · Acetic · Acetic acid glacial · Orthoacetic acid · Vinegar acid · Diluted acetic acid
Show all 37 names
Acetasol · Aci-Jel · Acide acetique · Acido acetico · Azijnzuur · Distilled vinegar · E-260 · Essigsaeure · Essigsaure · Ethanoic acid · Ethanoic acid monomer · Ethylic acid · HOAc · Ins NO.260 · INS-260 · Kyselina octova · Methanecarboxylic acid · Octowy kwas · Orlex · Vinegar · acetic acid (cercla) · acetic acid (glacial) · acetic acid (sara iii) · ethoic acid · Acetasol hc component acetic acid, glacial · Aceticum acidum · Acidum aceticum glaciale · Orlex hc component acetic acid, glacial · Tridesilon component acetic acid, glacial · Vosol hc component acetic acid, glacial · acidum aceticum
What it does: Used in cosmetics as a pH buffer and a fragrance ingredient. Acetic Acid is the organic acid.
Buffering
Fragrance
Flavouring agent, acid, acidity regulator, preservative
Chelating agent
pH adjuster
Flavouring
Is it a concern?: High concern: no hazard classifications on record. It is listed for cosmetic use in the EU.

Why it's flagged

EPA CPDat observed this chemical in 2644 composition records across product categories including Construction and building materials, Furniture and furnishings, Raw materials.

The score describes this ingredient's chemical identity — its hazard profile from published classifications and regulatory status — not the safety of any product it appears in.

Regulation

No restrictions found. Acetic acid appears in these published regulatory listings.

In marketed US drugs
Inactive ingredient in US drugs

Recorded in these product areas

Found in consumer products
Cleaning
Pharma
Food
Industrial

USFDAinactive ingredient database45 entries — 18 administration routes
- Route: INTRAMUSCULAR; Dosage form: INJECTION, POWDER, FOR SOLUTION; Potency: ADJ PHSource →
- Route: INTRAMUSCULAR; Dosage form: INJECTION, POWDER, LYOPHILIZED, FOR SOLUTION; Potency: ADJ PHSource →
- Route: INTRASYNOVIAL; Dosage form: INJECTION; Potency: ADJ PHSource →
- Route: INTRAVENOUS; Dosage form: INJECTION; Maximum daily exposure: 827 mgSource →
- Route: INTRAVENOUS; Dosage form: INJECTION, EMULSION; Potency: ADJ PHSource →
- Route: INTRAVENOUS; Dosage form: INJECTION, POWDER, FOR SOLUTION; Potency: ADJ PHSource →
- Route: INTRAVENOUS; Dosage form: INJECTION, POWDER, LYOPHILIZED, FOR SOLUTION; Maximum daily exposure: 3 mgSource →
- Route: INTRAVENOUS; Dosage form: INJECTION, SOLUTION; Maximum daily exposure: 15 mgSource →
- Route: INTRAVENOUS; Dosage form: LIQUID; Potency: 0.2 %w/vSource →
- Route: INTRAVENOUS; Dosage form: SOLUTION; Maximum daily exposure: 14 mgSource →
- Route: IRRIGATION; Dosage form: SOLUTION; Potency: ADJ PHSource →
- Route: NASAL; Dosage form: SPRAY, METERED; Potency: 1.2 mg/1mlSource →
- Route: OPHTHALMIC; Dosage form: SOLUTION; Maximum daily exposure: 3 mgSource →
- Route: OPHTHALMIC; Dosage form: SOLUTION/ DROPS; Potency: 0.09 %w/vSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: CAPSULE; Potency: NASource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: CAPSULE, COATED; Maximum daily exposure: 1 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: ELIXIR; Potency: 1.07 mg/5mlSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: SOLUTION; Maximum daily exposure: 10 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: SUSPENSION; Maximum daily exposure: 12 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: SYRUP; Maximum daily exposure: 10 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: TABLET; Potency: NASource →
- Route: PARENTERAL; Dosage form: INJECTION; Potency: ADJ PHSource →
- Route: SOFT TISSUE; Dosage form: INJECTION; Potency: ADJ PHSource →
- Route: SUBCUTANEOUS; Dosage form: INJECTION; Maximum daily exposure: 22 mgSource →
- Route: SUBCUTANEOUS; Dosage form: INJECTION, EMULSION; Potency: ADJ PHSource →
- Route: SUBCUTANEOUS; Dosage form: INJECTION, POWDER, FOR SOLUTION; Potency: ADJ PHSource →
- Route: SUBCUTANEOUS; Dosage form: INJECTION, POWDER, LYOPHILIZED, FOR SOLUTION; Maximum daily exposure: 32 mgSource →
- Route: SUBCUTANEOUS; Dosage form: INJECTION, SOLUTION; Maximum daily exposure: 4 mgSource →
- Route: SUBCUTANEOUS; Dosage form: LIQUID; Potency: 0.2 %w/vSource →
- Route: SUBCUTANEOUS; Dosage form: SOLUTION; Potency: 0.06 %w/vSource →
- Route: SUBMUCOSAL; Dosage form: INJECTION, SOLUTION; Potency: ADJ PHSource →
- Route: TOPICAL; Dosage form: CREAM; Potency: NASource →
- Route: TOPICAL; Dosage form: SOLUTION; Potency: ADJ PHSource →
- Route: TOPICAL; Dosage form: SPONGE; Potency: ADJ PHSource →
- Route: VAGINAL; Dosage form: AEROSOL, FOAM; Potency: 0.03 %w/wSource →
- Route: VAGINAL; Dosage form: CREAM; Potency: 0.35 %w/wSource →
- Route: VAGINAL; Dosage form: JELLY; Potency: 1.1 %w/wSource →
- Route: AURICULAR (OTIC); Dosage form: SUSPENSION; Potency: 0.26 %w/vSource →
- Route: AURICULAR (OTIC); Dosage form: SUSPENSION/ DROPS; Potency: 0.04 %w/vSource →
- Route: ENDOTRACHEAL; Dosage form: SUSPENSION; Potency: ADJ PHSource →
- + 5 more entries not shown
EUEFSAEFSA opinion4 entries
- Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of acetic acid, sodium diacetate and calcium acetate as preservatives for feed for all animal species (EFSA FEEDAP)Source →
- Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of acetic acid for all animal species (EFSA FEEDAP)Source →
- Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of the organic acids lactic and acetic acids to reduce microbiological surface contamination on pork carcasses and pork cuts (EFSA CEP)Source →
- Scientific Opinion on the evaluation of the substances currently on the list in the annex to Commission Directive 96/3/EC as acceptable previous cargoes for edible fats and oils - Part II of III (EFSA CONTAM)Source →
USFDAlisted in openFDA substance2 entries
- openFDA substance registry classifies this ingredient as chemical.Source →
- openFDA substance registry classifies this ingredient as concept.Source →
EUCosIngActiveAcetic Acid is the organic acid that conforms to the formula:
- Acetic Acid is the organic acid that conforms to the formula:Source →
EUEFSAConclusion on Pesticides Peer ReviewConclusion on the peer review of the pesticide risk assessment of the active substance acetic acid (EFSA)
- Conclusion on the peer review of the pesticide risk assessment of the active substance acetic acid (EFSA)Source →
GLOBALJECFAEvaluatedJECFA evaluation record.
- JECFA evaluation record.Source →
GLOBALJECFANo safety concern at current levels of intake when used as a flavouring agentJECFA evaluation lists ADI No safety concern at current levels of intake when used as a flavouring agent. Functional class: flavouring agent, acid, acidity regulator, preservative.
- JECFA evaluation lists ADI No safety concern at current levels of intake when used as a flavouring agent. Functional class: flavouring agent, acid, acidity regulator, preservative.Source →
USEPAcommercial use observedEPA CPDat observed this chemical in 2644 composition records across product categories including Construction and building materials, Furniture and furnishings, Raw materials. EPA CPDat classifies this chemical for functional uses including pH regulating agent, Deodorizer, Fragrance.
- EPA CPDat observed this chemical in 2644 composition records across product categories including Construction and building materials, Furniture and furnishings, Raw materials. EPA CPDat classifies this chemical for functional uses including pH regulating agent, Deodorizer, Fragrance.Source →
USFDAmarketed drug occurrenceFDA NDC lists this ingredient in 55 active drug products and 65 total products.
- FDA NDC lists this ingredient in 55 active drug products and 65 total products.Source →

Expert safety opinions

Independent scientific assessments cited by the records we hold, with the year and link where the record gives one.

SCCS
EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety
No SCCS opinion on file.
CIR
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (US expert panel)
No CIR safety assessment on file.
EFSA
European Food Safety Authority
- Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of acetic acid, sodium diacetate and calcium acetate as preservatives for feed for all animal species (EFSA FEEDAP)
  2012 · EU EFSA listing · Read the source →
- Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of acetic acid for all animal species (EFSA FEEDAP)
  2021 · EU EFSA listing · Read the source →
- Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of the organic acids lactic and acetic acids to reduce microbiological surface contamination on pork carcasses and pork cuts (EFSA CEP)
  2018 · EU EFSA listing · Read the source →
- Conclusion on the peer review of the pesticide risk assessment of the active substance acetic acid (EFSA)
  2013 · EU EFSA listing · Read the source →
- Scientific Opinion on the evaluation of the substances currently on the list in the annex to Commission Directive 96/3/EC as acceptable previous cargoes for edible fats and oils - Part II of III (EFSA CONTAM)
  2012 · EU EFSA listing · Read the source →
JECFA
Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives
- JECFA evaluation record.
  Year not recorded · GLOBAL JECFA listing · Read the source →
- JECFA evaluation lists ADI No safety concern at current levels of intake when used as a flavouring agent. Functional class: flavouring agent, acid, acidity regulator, preservative.
  Year not recorded · GLOBAL JECFA listing · Read the source →

Evidence & sources

No graded research studies for Acetic acid yet. This record is compiled from the published data sources below — registries and regulatory listings, not study findings.

10 data sources

Where this comes from

CosIng
regulatory · updated 2026-09-23
Open →
EFSA OpenFoodTox
regulatory · updated 2026-10-04
Open →
EPA Chemical and Products Database
exposure · updated oct 25 2016
Open →
EPA DSSTox Identifiers
chemistry · updated 2025-12-29
Open →
FDA Inactive Ingredient Database
regulatory · updated 2026-01-09
Open →
FDA National Drug Code Directory
regulatory · updated 2029-08-02
Open →
FDA GSRS UNII
registry · updated 2026-02-26
Open →
WHO JECFA Database
regulatory · updated 2026-10-04
Open →
openFDA Substance
registry · updated 2026-05-24
Open →
PubChem Live Enrichment
chemistry · updated 2026-05-17
Open →

Reference links (2)

Openfda substance

apps.who.int

Read →

Openfda substance

codexalimentarius.net

Read →

Suitability

Context-specific fit derived from published classifications and the current ingredient evidence profile.

Food use

Food-use source coverage is present in the current record.

Good fit

The ingredient appears in food-oriented source coverage or allowed-use references, which makes food use easier to support than a context with no domain signal at all.

Fragrance avoidance

Not a strong fit for fragrance avoidance because it carries Fragrance.

Avoid

The ingredient itself is a fragrance-linked signal, so it is better treated as an avoid case when fragrance exposure is the main concern.

Where it has been recorded

How often EPA CPDat has listed Acetic acid in a product composition. These are source records, not Greenveil catalog products.

Source records

2,644

Named organisations

Construction and building materialsFurniture and furnishingsRaw materialsLaboratory suppliesFood and drugSpecialty occupational products

Typical roles

BufferingFragranceFlavouring agent, acid, acidity regulator, preservativeChelating agentpH adjusterFlavouring

See products using Acetic acid →

Catalog

Found in these products

Their ingredient lists include Acetic acid; each product's own rating depends on its whole formula, so it is shown on the product page, not here.

See all 1000+ →Find products without it →

Co-occurrence

Often appears with

Ingredients that frequently appear alongside Acetic acid in the catalog.