Is LACTIC ACID safe to use in EU cosmetics?

LACTIC ACID is listed in the EU CosIng ingredient inventory with no direct annex restriction records linked at this time. Always verify against the current official CosIng database before formulating.

What other records share CAS 50-21-5?

CAS 50-21-5 may appear across multiple EU annex records. The CAS lookup page shows all Annex II–VI entries sharing this identifier, useful for identifying cross-annex regulatory status of the same chemical substance.

How do I check if my formula contains LACTIC ACID?

Use the INCI Checker to screen a full ingredient list across selected markets, or use the substance market comparison to review this identity across all supported market datasets.

InventoryRef 3480915/10/2010

LACTIC ACID

Propanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-

LACTIC ACID is listed in the EU CosIng inventory, but no direct annex records are linked on this page yet.

INCI Checker Compare all markets Search similar

Regulatory evidence by market

This matrix separates verified ingredient rules from sources that are mapped but not yet imported. No imported rule does not mean the ingredient is permitted.

Compare markets

Swipe or scroll horizontally to see every column.

Market	Evidence status	Records	Source language
European Union	Source mapped Inventory entry; no linked annex rule	0	English and EU languages
Great Britain	Source mapped Official source mapped; ingredient rule not imported	0	English
Canada	Evidence linked Restricted Open this evidence	1	English and French
New Zealand	Source mapped Official source mapped; ingredient rule not imported	0	English
ASEAN	Source mapped Official source mapped; ingredient rule not imported	0	English and national languages
China	Source mapped Official source mapped; ingredient rule not imported	0	Chinese with selected English material
Japan	Source mapped Official source mapped; ingredient rule not imported	0	Japanese; official English translation available
South Korea	Source mapped Official source mapped; ingredient rule not imported	0	Korean with some English names
United States	Source mapped Official source mapped; ingredient rule not imported	0	English
Australia	Source mapped Official source mapped; ingredient rule not imported	0	English
Brazil	Source mapped Official source mapped; ingredient rule not imported	0	Portuguese with INCI crosswalks
India	Source mapped Official source mapped; ingredient rule not imported	0	English and Hindi
Saudi Arabia	Source mapped Official source mapped; ingredient rule not imported	0	Arabic and English

Chemical identity and properties

PubChem 2D chemical structure for CAS 50-21-5

CAS 50-21-5PubChem CID 612

Lactic Acid

2-hydroxypropanoic acid is a 2-hydroxy monocarboxylic acid that is propanoic acid in which one of the alpha-hydrogens is replaced by a hydroxy group. It has a role as a Daphnia magna metabolite and an algal metabolite. It is functionally related to a propionic acid. It is a conjugate acid of a lactate. — ChEBI

IUPAC name: 2-hydroxypropanoic acid

Molecular formula: C3H6O3
Molecular weight: 90.08 g/mol
Exact mass: 90.031694049 Da
XLogP3: -0.7
Topological polar surface area: 57.5 Å²
Hydrogen-bond donors: 2
Hydrogen-bond acceptors: 3
Covalent units: 1
Defined stereocentres: 0

Also known as

DL-Lactic acid2-hydroxypropionic acidMilk acidTonsillosanRacemic lactic acidOrdinary lactic acidAcidum lacticumEthylidenelactic acid

16 more reported names

LactovaganMilchsaeureLactic acid, dl-Kyselina mlecnaLacticum acidumPropanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-598-82-3alpha-Hydroxypropionic acidLactic acid USPAethylidenmilchsaeure(RS)-2-HydroxypropionsaeureFEMA No. 2611MilchsaureLurexPropionic acid, 2-hydroxy-SY-83

Open full PubChem record PubChem annotations 3D structure image

External database identifiers

ChEBI:CHEBI:78320
ChEMBL:CHEMBL1200559
EPA DTXSID:DTXSID7023192
PubMed:29968805
PubMed:23122305
PubMed:23122298
PubMed:23118539
PubMed:23117381
PubMed:23115614
PubMed:23115449
PubMed:23113277
PubMed:23112422
PubMed:23111834
PubMed:23110573
PubMed:23110571

Retrieved from NIH PubChem on 2026-08-31 by checksum-valid CAS matching. Chemical properties do not replace the regulatory decision on this page.

Inventory details for LACTIC ACID

INCI name

LACTIC ACID

INN name

lactic acid

Ph. Eur. name

acidum lacticum

Description

Propanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-

Record provenance

Inventory reference: 34809
Imported identity: LACTIC ACID
Source update: 15/10/2010

European Commission CosIng source notes

Annex records for LACTIC ACID

Browse

Browse EU annexes

Explore Annex II–VI to see which substances are prohibited, restricted or permitted under specific conditions.

Search annex entries

Search the annex database for entries matching LACTIC ACID or related substances.

Key data

CAS

50-21-5

200-018-0

Restriction

—

Function

BUFFERING: Stabilising the pH of an aqueous medium in a narrow range even if an acid or base is added. Altering and/or maintaining a cosmetic product's pH at the desired level.
HUMECTANT: Retaining and/or preserving the moisture in a product during use.
SKIN CONDITIONING: Maintaining the skin in good condition.

Official EU ingredient-name evidence

The ingredient name exactly matches the official 2025 EU glossary of common ingredient names.

#14271 · LACTIC ACID

Ingredients with overlapping formulation functions

ISOBUTYRIC ACIDBUFFERING

ISOPROPANOLAMINEBUFFERING

ISOPROPYLAMINEBUFFERING

ITACONIC ACIDANTIMICROBIAL, BUFFERING, SKIN CONDITIONING, SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT

LACTOBACILLUS/AMARANTHUS CAUDATUS SEED FLOUR FERMENT FILTRATEANTIOXIDANT, BUFFERING, EXFOLIATING, SKIN PROTECTING

LACTOBIONIC ACIDBUFFERING

LAURYL P-CRESOL KETOXIMEBUFFERING, SKIN CONDITIONING

LITHIUM CARBONATEBUFFERING, HAIR WAVING OR STRAIGHTENING

Additional official and scientific sources

11 external databases to check this identity in

Each link searches that source for this identity. What each source is, and its legal weight

ECHA CHEM / Information on chemicals PubChem PUG REST EU Safety Gate cosmetic product alerts ECHA CHEM US EPA CompTox Cosmetic Ingredient Review safety assessments FDA Global Substance Registration System ILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Cards Japan NITE-CHRIP NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards OECD eChemPortal

How LACTIC ACID appears in the CosIng inventory

The CosIng inventory lists LACTIC ACID as a cosmetic ingredient and this page links it to 0 annex records. The inventory entry captures names and identifiers, while the annex records show where the substance is prohibited, restricted or positively listed in EU cosmetics law.

LACTIC ACID is also tagged with 3 cosmetic functions in the official data. Function labels describe intended use, but they do not replace regulatory review of linked annex records before formulation or labelling work.

Frequently asked questions

LACTIC ACID is listed in the EU CosIng ingredient inventory with no direct annex restriction records linked at this time. Absence of an annex link does not guarantee unrestricted use — always verify against the current official CosIng database before formulating.

According to the EU CosIng inventory, LACTIC ACID carries the following function designation(s):

CAS 50-21-5 may appear across multiple EU annex records. Viewing the CAS lookup page shows all Annex II–VI entries sharing this identifier, which is useful for identifying cross-annex regulatory status of the same chemical substance.

View CAS records

Use the INCI Checker to screen a full ingredient list across selected markets, or compare this substance across all supported market datasets.

Open INCI Checker

Source note for LACTIC ACID

This page reproduces the CosIng inventory entry for LACTIC ACID from public European Commission cosmetic ingredient materials and shows linked identifiers even when no direct annex match is currently attached.

Use this inventory page to research LACTIC ACID and compare linked records, but verify restrictions and legal status against the current official source text and law before making regulatory decisions.

View sources View updates

Tools & next steps

Check your formula

Scan a full INCI list to detect LACTIC ACID and any linked EU annex restrictions or allergen flags.

INCI Checker

Search similar ingredients

Find other inventory ingredients and annex entries related to LACTIC ACID, its identifiers or nearby name variants.