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preservative

Dehydroacetic Acid

Watch if sensitive·Moderate evidence

Dehydroacetic acid is a preservative regulated under the EU preservative annex with a set maximum concentration. Sensitization appears to be rare, though occasional contact dermatitis case reports exist, so people with reactive skin may want to patch test.

Worth knowing

  • Known contact sensitizer for some
  • Restricted in the EU

Regulated as an EU Annex V preservative with a maximum permitted concentration of 0.6% (as acid).

References

Cosmetic information for general education, not medical advice. A verdict is a reading of the published evidence, never a guarantee for your skin: any ingredient can irritate someone, so patch test new products and see a professional if you react. Concern is graded on cited evidence, never on hazard-score lists. See how we score.