3,4-DIHYDROXYBENZOIC ACID
3,4-Dihydroxybenzoic acid
3,4-DIHYDROXYBENZOIC ACID is listed in the EU CosIng inventory, but no direct annex records are linked on this page yet.
Regulatory evidence by market
No rule for this ingredient has been imported for any of the 13 markets tracked here.
That describes this inventory, not the law. No imported rule is not evidence that an ingredient is permitted: a rule may exist under another name or identifier, or in a dataset not yet imported here.
Chemical identity and properties

Protocatechuic Acid
3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid is a dihydroxybenzoic acid in which the hydroxy groups are located at positions 3 and 4. It has a role as an EC 1.14.11.2 (procollagen-proline dioxygenase) inhibitor, an antineoplastic agent, a plant metabolite, a human xenobiotic metabolite and an EC 1.1.1.25 (shikimate dehydrogenase) inhibitor. It is a dihydroxybenzoic acid and a member of catechols. It is functionally related to a benzoic acid. It is a conjugate acid of a 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate. — ChEBI
- IUPAC name
- 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid
- Molecular formula
- C7H6O4
- Molecular weight
- 154.12 g/mol
- Exact mass
- 154.02660867 Da
- XLogP3
- 1.1
- Topological polar surface area
- 77.8 Ų
- Hydrogen-bond donors
- 3
- Hydrogen-bond acceptors
- 4
- Covalent units
- 1
- Defined stereocentres
- 0
Also known as
16 more reported names
External database identifiers
- ChEBI:CHEBI:36062
- ChEMBL:CHEMBL37537
- EPA DTXSID:DTXSID4021212
- PubMed:42004505
- PubMed:40754433
- PubMed:40228806
- PubMed:37105472
- PubMed:36807594
- PubMed:36593721
- PubMed:33497687
- PubMed:32758512
- PubMed:32461003
- PubMed:32392679
- PubMed:31850806
- PubMed:31306686
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 3,4-DIHYDROXYBENZOIC ACID
INCI name
3,4-DIHYDROXYBENZOIC ACID
Description
3,4-Dihydroxybenzoic acid
Record provenance
- Inventory reference
- 54201
- Imported identity
- 3,4-DIHYDROXYBENZOIC ACID
- Source update
- 15/10/2010
Annex records for 3,4-DIHYDROXYBENZOIC ACID
Key data
- SKIN PROTECTING
- Helping to avoid harmful effects to the skin from external factors.
Official EU ingredient-name evidence
The ingredient name exactly matches the official 2025 EU glossary of common ingredient names.
Related inventory evidence
Ingredients with overlapping formulation functions
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
How 3,4-DIHYDROXYBENZOIC ACID appears in the CosIng inventory
The CosIng inventory lists 3,4-DIHYDROXYBENZOIC 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.
3,4-DIHYDROXYBENZOIC ACID is also tagged with 1 cosmetic function 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
Source note for 3,4-DIHYDROXYBENZOIC ACID
This page reproduces the CosIng inventory entry for 3,4-DIHYDROXYBENZOIC 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 3,4-DIHYDROXYBENZOIC ACID and compare linked records, but verify restrictions and legal status against the current official source text and law before making regulatory decisions.
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