Ferulic acid
Japan Standards for Cosmetics: Ferulic acid
The provisional English translation of the MHLW Standards for Cosmetics lists this ingredient with the stated limit or use matrix.
Regulatory decision and full conditions
- Status
- Restricted
- Legal role
- Binding rule
- Regulatory summary
- The provisional English translation of the MHLW Standards for Cosmetics lists this ingredient with the stated limit or use matrix.
- Conditions and restrictions
- Published three-column use matrix (rinse-off / leave-on / mucosal; blank means prohibited, ○ means no upper limit): 10 10
Substance identity
- Official source name
- Ferulic acid
- CAS
- 1135-24-6
- EC
- 214-490-0
- Identity mapping
- exact INCI name
- Linked ingredient
- FERULIC ACID
Linked CosIng identity data
Names and aliases
CosIng description: 4-Hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamic acid
Recorded cosmetic function: ANTIMICROBIAL, ANTIOXIDANT
Function pages:ANTIMICROBIAL, ANTIOXIDANT
View the complete ingredient profileCross-market snapshot for this identity
Exact linked records currently present in this site. An absent market means no imported exact match, not permission to use the substance.
Japan
Current record1 linked record · 1 with specific conditions
Open supporting recordVerified chemistry for CAS 1135-24-6
Ferulic Acid
- IUPAC name
- (E)-3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid
- Molecular formula
- C10H10O4
- Molecular weight
- 194.18 g/mol
- Exact mass
- 194.05790880 Da
- Monoisotopic mass
- 194.05790880 Da
- XLogP3
- 1.5
- Topological polar surface area
- 66.8 Ų
- Molecular complexity
- 224.0
- Formal charge
- 0
- Hydrogen-bond donors
- 2
- Hydrogen-bond acceptors
- 4
- Rotatable bonds
- 3
- Heavy atoms
- 14
- Covalent units
- 1
Names and synonyms reported to PubChem
16 more reported names
External database identifiers
- ChEBI:CHEBI:17620
- ChEBI:CHEBI:193350
- ChEMBL:CHEMBL32749
- EPA DTXSID:DTXSID70892035
- PubMed:24358168
- PubMed:23800587
- PubMed:21763500
- PubMed:18952420
- PubMed:15229801
- PubMed:12076751
- PubMed:9561563
Advanced structure statistics
- Defined atom stereocentres
- 0
- Undefined atom stereocentres
- 0
- Defined bond stereocentres
- 1
- Undefined bond stereocentres
- 0
- 3D pharmacophore features
- 6
- 3D rings
- 1
- 3D hydrophobes
- 0
- 3D acceptor features
- 3
- 3D donor features
- 1
- 3D anionic centres
- 1
- 3D cationic centres
- 0
- 3D conformers
- 4
- Effective 3D rotors
- 3.0
Machine-readable structure identifiers
- SMILES
COC1=C(C=CC(=C1)/C=C/C(=O)O)O- InChI
InChI=1S/C10H10O4/c1-14-9-6-7(2-4-8(9)11)3-5-10(12)13/h2-6,11H,1H3,(H,12,13)/b5-3+- InChIKey
KSEBMYQBYZTDHS-HWKANZROSA-N
Evidence from additional scientific databases
NIH PubChem PUG-View
Attributed physical-property, hazard, environmental and use annotations.
- Dissociation Constants: pKa = 4.58 Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- LogP: log Kow = 1.51 Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- LogP: 1.51 Source: Human Metabolome Database (HMDB)
- Melting Point: 168 - 171 °C Source: Human Metabolome Database (HMDB)
- Physical Description: cis-Form is a yellow liquid; trans-Form is a solid; [Merck Index] trans-Isomer: Tan powder; [Alfa Aesar MSDS] Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
- Physical Description: Tan powder; [Alfa Aesar MSDS] Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
- Physical Description: Solid Source: Human Metabolome Database (HMDB)
- Vapor Pressure: 0.00000269 [mmHg] Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
- Note: This chemical does not meet GHS hazard criteria for 2.4% (8 of 329) of reports. Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- Signal: Warning Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- GHS Hazard Statements: H315 (97.6%): Causes skin irritation [Warning Skin corrosion/irritation]; H319 (97.6%): Causes serious eye irritation [Warning Serious eye damage/eye irritation]; H335 (97.6%): May cause respiratory irritation [Warning Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure; Respiratory tract irritation] Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- Precautionary Statement Codes: P261, P264, P264+P265, P271, P280, P302+P352, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P319, P321, P332+P317, P337+P317, P362+P364, P403+P233, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement) Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- ECHA C&L Notifications Summary: Aggregated GHS information provided per 329 reports by companies from 8 notifications to the ECHA C&L Inventory. Each notification may be associated with multiple companies.; Reported as not meeting GHS hazard criteria per 8 of 329 reports by companies.; There are 7 notifications provided by 321 of 329 reports by companies with hazard statement code(s).; Information may vary between notifications depending on impurities, additives, and other factors. The percentage value in parenthesis indicates the notified classification ratio from companies that provide hazard codes. Only hazard codes with percentage values above 10% are shown. For more detailed information, please visit ECHA C&L website. Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- Note: This chemical does not meet GHS hazard criteria for 1% (1 of 105) of reports. Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- GHS Hazard Statements: H315 (99%): Causes skin irritation [Warning Skin corrosion/irritation]; H319 (99%): Causes serious eye irritation [Warning Serious eye damage/eye irritation]; H335 (98.1%): May cause respiratory irritation [Warning Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure; Respiratory tract irritation] Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- ECHA C&L Notifications Summary: Aggregated GHS information provided per 105 reports by companies from 10 notifications to the ECHA C&L Inventory. Each notification may be associated with multiple companies.; Reported as not meeting GHS hazard criteria per 1 of 105 reports by companies.; There are 9 notifications provided by 104 of 105 reports by companies with hazard statement code(s).; Information may vary between notifications depending on impurities, additives, and other factors. The percentage value in parenthesis indicates the notified classification ratio from companies that provide hazard codes. Only hazard codes with percentage values above 10% are shown. For more detailed information, please visit ECHA C&L website. Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- GHS Hazard Statements: H317 (100%): May cause an allergic skin reaction [Warning Sensitization, Skin] Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- Precautionary Statement Codes: P261, P272, P280, P302+P352, P321, P333+P317, P362+P364, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement) Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- ECHA C&L Notifications Summary: The GHS information provided by 1 company from 1 notification to the ECHA C&L Inventory. Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- Environmental Bioconcentration: An estimated BCF of 3.2 was calculated in fish for ferulic acid, using a measured log Kow of 1.51 (1) and a regression-derived equation (2). According to a classification scheme(3), this BCF suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organism is low(SRC), provided the compound is not metabolized by the organism(SRC). Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Environmental Fate: TERRESTRIAL FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 57(SRC), determined from a log Kow of 1.51(2) and a regression-derived equation(3), indicates that ferulic acid is expected to have high mobility in soil(SRC). The pKa of ferulic acid is 4.58(4), indicating that this compound will almost entirely exist in the anion form. In the environment, anions generally do not adsorb more strongly to soils containing organic carbon and clay than their neutral counterparts(5). Volatilization of ferulic acid from moist soil surfaces is not expected to be an important fate process(SRC) given the anionic nature of ferulic acid in the environment. Ferulic acid is not expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon an estimated vapor pressure of 2.7X10-6 mm Hg(SRC), determined from a fragment constant method(6). Under neutral and acidic conditions in soil, ferulic acid is expected to undergo rapid aerobic biodegradation(7)(8). Under alkaline conditions in soil, ferulic acid is not expected to undergo rapid aerobic biodegradation(8). Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Environmental Fate: AQUATIC FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 57(SRC), determined from a log Kow of 1.51(2) and a regression-derived equation(3), indicates that ferulic acid is not expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment(SRC). A pKa of 4.58(4) indicates ferulic acid will exist almost entirely in the anion form at pH values of 5 to 9, and therefore volatilization from water surfaces/moist soil is not expected to be an important fate process(5). According to a classification scheme(6), an estimated BCF of 3.2(SRC), from its log Kow of 1.51(2) and a regression-derived equation(7), suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low(SRC). Ferulic acid is expected to biodegrade rapidly in water under anaerobic conditions(8). Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Environmental Fate: ATMOSPHERIC FATE: According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), ferulic acid, which has a an estimated vapor pressure of 2.7X10-6 mm Hg at 25 °C(SRC), determined from a fragment constant method(2), will exist in both the vapor and particulate phases. Vapor-phase ferulic acid is degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals(SRC); the half-life for this reaction in air is estimated to be 8 hours(SRC), calculated from its rate constant of 4.8X10-11 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(SRC), derived using a structure estimation method(3). Particulate-phase ferulic acid may be removed from the air by wet or dry deposition(SRC). Ferulic acid contains a chromophore that absorbs light at wavelengths >290 nm(4) and therefore may be susceptible to direct photolysis by sunlight(SRC). Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Sources/Uses: Found in small amounts in many plants; Used as a food preservative; [Merck Index] Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
- Sources/Uses: Widely distributed in plants; [Alfa Aesar MSDS] Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
- Uses: Food preservative Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Uses: /Ferulic acid was one of several compounds identified in/ ... a survey of 624 commercially available supplements targeted towards bodybuilding athletes... Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Uses: Synthetic Polymer MALDI Matrix Compounds Source: NIST Synthetic Polymer MALDI Recipes Database
Mapped by: Existing checksum-valid CAS to unique PubChem CID match. Retrieved: 2026-08-31. Open source record
Scientific classifications and hazard annotations provide context and do not replace the market-specific regulatory decision shown above.
Additional source coverage and match status
| Source | Result | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| NIH PubChem PUG-View | Exact match | 2026-08-31 |
A recorded no-match is useful evidence that the source was checked; it is not a claim that the substance does not exist elsewhere.
Retrieved from NIH PubChem on 2026-08-31 by checksum-valid CAS matching. Chemical properties do not replace the regulatory decision on this page.
Official source and provenance
- Registered source
- Japan MHLW Standards for Cosmetics
- Source reference
- Appendix 4 section 2, entry 25
- Source record ID
appendix-4-2:25- Source version
- MHLW Notification No. 331 provisional translation, retrieved 2026-08-30
- Source language
- English provisional translation; Japanese text is canonical
- Translation status
- Regulator-hosted provisional English translation · English translation
- Snapshot checked
- 2026-08-30 04:11 UTC
- Validation method
- pdftotext -layout plus strict per-table row counts
- SHA-256
117fc949a82789ca66017163f19041cf2fcf6b5902708077c8e4f56c482dc8e2
Registered dataset notes
- Dataset coverage
- Prohibited and restricted ingredient appendices with concentration and use conditions
- Authority note
- Official MHLW standard; validate later Japanese updates before presenting current status
How this record fits the market dataset
Status distribution
Condition text is present on 117 of 117 current records. An empty condition field is interpreted according to the record type above; it is never converted into an unrestricted-use claim.
Japan market context
Complete Standards appendices dataset
Coverage version: MHLW Standards for Cosmetics official English source and Japanese amendments checked for the imported snapshot
Prohibited ingredients, restricted ingredients and permitted preservative/UV/colourant appendices present in the official standard source.
Verification checklist
- Search Japanese/English identity and CAS where present.
- Apply category and maximum-amount conditions.
- Check later MHLW notices against the Japanese source.
- Verify marketing licence, notification, labelling and quasi-drug classification.
Official market sources
- Japan MHLW Standards for CosmeticsOfficial MHLW standard; validate later Japanese updates before presenting current status
Verification workflow and record completeness
Before using this result in a compliance decision
- Confirm that “Ferulic acid” and every CAS/EC identifier refer to the material in your supplier specification.
- Search Japanese/English identity and CAS where present.
- Apply category and maximum-amount conditions.
- Check later MHLW notices against the Japanese source.
- Verify marketing licence, notification, labelling and quasi-drug classification.
- Document the source version and recheck the regulator before manufacture, notification or market placement.
Fields available in this record
- Official substance nameAvailable
- CASAvailable
- ECAvailable
- Separate condition textAvailable
- Effective dateNot supplied
- Snapshot hash and methodAvailable
Questions this page answers
Stable citation
Ferulic acid. Appendix 4 section 2, entry 25. Japan. Source version MHLW Notification No. 331 provisional translation, retrieved 2026-08-30. CosIng Checker regulatory record: https://cosingchecker.com/regulations/jp/records/712/
Cite the regulator as the legal authority. This page is a structured evidence index and verification aid, not a substitute for the official text or professional legal assessment.
Interpretation and limits for Japan
This substance is not unrestricted: cosmetic use is subject to the conditions in the cited official record.
Check product type, body area, concentration, purity and warning requirements before deciding whether a formulation is compliant.
How to interpret the legal role
The cited row forms part of a binding rule or legally incorporated list for this market.
Evidence on this page
- Recorded outcome: Restricted
- Legal role: Binding rule
- Source version: MHLW Notification No. 331 provisional translation, retrieved 2026-08-30
What it does not prove
The Japanese text and subsequent notices are canonical; no local match is not a product-compliance conclusion.
Further authoritative substance research
These sources can add identity, safety, exposure or hazard context. A link is not evidence that the database contains this exact substance, and none of these sources overrides the market decision above.
Cosmetic Ingredient Review safety assessments
Expert Panel conclusions, assessed ingredient groups, use conditions, dates and report documents
Independent expert review considered by FDA; not a government approval or binding market rule
Research this identity at the sourceFDA Global Substance Registration System
UNII identifiers, preferred names, substance types, codes and public substance relationships
Identity registry only; UNII availability does not imply FDA review or approval
Research this identity at the sourceILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Cards
Hazards, symptoms, first aid, storage, incompatibilities and physical properties for covered chemicals
International occupational chemical-safety reference; not cosmetic-use approval
Research this identity at the sourceJapan NITE-CHRIP
Chemical identity, Japanese and foreign legal lists, GHS hazards and exposure-related information
Chemical-management evidence; cosmetic status remains governed by the applicable MHLW standard and market rules
Research this identity at the sourceNIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
REL, PEL, IDLH, properties, exposure routes, symptoms, target organs, first aid and measurement methods for covered workplace chemicals
US occupational-health guidance and limits; not a cosmetic ingredient decision
Research this identity at the sourceOECD eChemPortal
Gateway to authority-owned physical-property, fate, ecotoxicity, toxicity, exposure and GHS records
Discovery gateway; each linked authority remains responsible for its data
Research this identity at the sourceUS EPA CompTox CTX APIs
API key required for importDTXSID identity, experimental and predicted properties, toxicity, bioactivity, exposure and environmental data
Scientific and computational evidence; predictions must remain labelled and do not determine cosmetic legality
Research this identity at the source