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InventoryRef 5420115/10/2010

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

PubChem 2D chemical structure for CAS 99-50-3
CAS 99-50-3PubChem CID 72

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

4-Carboxy-1,2-dihydroxybenzeneProtocatehuic acid4,5-Dihydroxybenzoic acid36R5QJ8L4BNSC-16631FEMA NO. 4430CHEBI:36062RefChem:25857
16 more reported names
202-760-0protocatechuateBenzoic acid, 3,4-dihydroxy-3,4-Dihydroxybenzoicacid3,4-Dihydroxy Benzoic AcidprotocatechuicacidCarbohydroquinonic acidCCRIS 62913,4-dihydroxy-benzoic acidEINECS 202-760-0NSC 16631Catechol-4-carboxylic AcidBRN 14488411ykp3, 4-Dihydroxybenzoic acidUNII-36R5QJ8L4B
External database identifiers

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
European Commission CosIng source notes

Key data

Restriction
Function
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.

Ingredients with overlapping formulation functions

Additional official and scientific sources

11 external databases to check this identity in

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

3,4-DIHYDROXYBENZOIC 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, 3,4-DIHYDROXYBENZOIC ACID carries the following function designation(s):

CAS 99-50-3 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.

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

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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