Product Description
4-Hydroxyacetophenone is a naturally occurring phenolic compound found in various plants, such as spruce, red berries, and plants from the Asteraceae family. In cosmetics, it's not usually marketed as a flashy "active ingredient," but its real value is very practical: preservation boosting and antioxidant support.
Many formulators like it because it's not a traditional preservative (like parabens or formaldehyde donors), but it can significantly enhance the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives. This means you can lower the amount of conventional preservatives in a formula while still keeping it protected. That's a big plus for "gentle formulations" or "preservative‑free" concepts.
Besides that, 4-Hydroxyacetophenone also offers mild antioxidant and soothing properties. It's not as famous as vitamin C or E, but as a supporting ingredient, it helps stabilize oils and slow down product oxidation. Some people call it a "natural‑derived preservative booster."
In terms of application, it works well in toners, lotions, creams, masks, and sunscreens. It has a broad pH tolerance. It looks like a white crystalline powder – easily soluble in hot water and alcohols, but not so much in oils.
Our 4-Hydroxyacetophenone is produced via chemical synthesis with a mature process and consistent batch‑to‑batch quality. Typical purity is ≥99% by HPLC, with tight heavy metal limits, fully compliant with EU and Chinese cosmetic regulations. Pack sizes range from samples (10–50g) to 25 kg drums. COA, MSDS, and third‑party test reports are available.
If you're working on sensitive‑skin products, baby care, or "preservative‑free" claims, 4-Hydroxyacetophenone is a solid partner worth considering.
Azelaic Acid Characteristics
Appearance: White to off-white crystalline powder or fine crystals
Solubility: Slightly soluble in cold water (about 0.1-0.2 g/100 mL at room temperature), freely soluble in hot water, ethanol, propylene glycol, and most organic solvents
Odor & Taste: Practically odorless or very faint phenolic-like smell; tasteless
Chemical Properties: Stable at room temperature, but can yellow over time if exposed to strong light for a long time. Non-hygroscopic. Has a phenolic hydroxyl group, so it can react with alkalis and oxidizing agents. pKa around 8.0 (typical for phenol). Not a strong acid like azelaic acid.
Test Method: HPLC (detection wavelength around 275 nm), GC, Melting point test (108-110°C), Loss on drying
High Purity & Concentration: Made by a simple acylation process, then purified by recrystallization. Our 4-Hydroxyacetophenone powder has batch-to-batch consistency, typical purity ≥ 99% by HPLC, low heavy metals, and good stability during storage. It's mainly used as a preservative booster and mild antioxidant in cosmetics, especially in water-based formulas like toners, masks, and creams. Works well with phenoxyethanol and other common preservatives to reduce their required use levels.
COA (Certificate of Analysis)
| Item | Specification | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Purity (HPLC) | ≥ 98.0% | 99.1% |
| Loss on Drying | ≤ 1.0% | 0.3% |
| Residue on Ignition (Sulfated Ash) | ≤ 0.2% | 0.1% |
| Heavy Metals (as Pb) | ≤ 10 ppm | < 5 ppm |
| Lead (Pb) | ≤ 2 ppm | < 0.5 ppm |
| Arsenic (As) | ≤ 2 ppm | < 1 ppm |
| Melting Point | 108.0 – 110.0°C | 109.2°C |
| Solubility (in ethanol) | Freely soluble | Conforms |
Processing Technology
Product Benefits
Preservative booster:
Significantly enhances the antimicrobial activity of traditional preservatives, helping reduce total preservative load for gentler formulas.
Antioxidant support:
Offers mild antioxidant properties to help stabilize oils and delay product discoloration or rancidity.
Mild & safe:
Not a classic preservative; low irritation potential, suitable for sensitive skin and baby care products.
Wide compatibility:
Stable in pH 4–8, works well in masks, toners, lotions, creams, and other water-based formulas.
Applications
Preservative boosting system: Used together with phenoxyethanol, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, etc., to reduce the total preservative load and lower irritation.
Sensitive skin products: Replaces certain high-risk preservatives; suitable for gentle formulas like sensitive skin care, baby products, and post-procedure cosmetics.
Water-based toners & masks: Works well in high-water-phase products such as toners, essences, and sheet mask liquids, with good solubility and stability.
Lotions & creams: Stable in emulsion systems; performs better when combined with polyols (e.g., pentylene glycol, propanediol).
Other Customizable Products (OEM / ODM)
We deliver end-to-end ODM/OEM solutions for 4-Hydroxyacetophenone-based formulations, transforming your concepts into market-ready products.
① Cooperation Models
OEM: Reproduce your formula with strict confidentiality and consistency
ODM: Full-service formulation, development, and manufacturing
② Key Process
Analysis & Design: Customized solutions based on your needs
Prototyping: Sample development with advanced hydrolysis control
Production: Certified manufacturing with rigorous quality testing
Why Choose Our 4-Hydroxyacetophenone ?
Over a Decade of Expertise: 15+ years in specialty ingredient manufacturing
Natural Purity & Quality: Sourced from high-grade silicon precursors
Transparent & Traceable: Full documentation from raw material to final product
Advanced Technology: Proprietary stabilization methods for high bioavailability
Stable Supply Assurance: Robust supply chain and inventory management
Long-term Partnership: Committed to collaborative growth and customer success
FAQ
Q: What exactly is 4-Hydroxyacetophenone?
A: It naturally occurs in some plants like spruce and red berries. But the one used in cosmetics is usually made synthetically. It's not a traditional preservative; more like a "supporting player."
Q: What does it do in skincare products?
A: Two main things. First, it works as a preservative booster – it helps traditional preservatives like phenoxyethanol work better, so you can use less of them and get a gentler formula. Second, it has mild antioxidant properties that help prevent the product from changing color or going bad.
Q: Is it considered a preservative?
A:Strictly speaking, no. It's not listed as a preservative in regulations like China's Cosmetics Safety Technical Standards. So many products that claim "preservative‑free" or "no added preservatives" use 4-Hydroxyacetophenone together with polyols (like pentylene glycol, propanediol) as their preservation system.
Q: How long until I see results?
A:For acne, you'll usually see improvement in 2–4 weeks. For dark spots and pigmentation, it takes longer – about 8–12 weeks. Don't give up just because you don't see a change in a few days.
Q: What types of products can it be used in?
A:Toners, essences, sheet masks, lotions, creams, sunscreens – basically any water‑based product. But not in pure oil formulas because it won't dissolve.
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