Ingredient glossary
Dehydroacetic Acid
On your shelf ✓What Dehydroacetic Acid does for your skin, who it suits, and what to watch for.
INCI: Dehydroacetic Acid
In short: Dehydroacetic Acid delivers preservation, suits most skin types, and the evidence behind it is moderate. One thing to know: needs the right pH to work.
- What it does
- Preservation
- Best for
- Most skin types
- Watch out
- Needs the right pH to work
- Evidence
- Moderate
The molecule
The Glow take
Quiet, essential, and nothing to fear.
Dehydroacetic Acid keeps a product safe to use from the first pump to the last, at tiny amounts. Not something you pay a premium for.
— Maya
What it does
- preservation
moderate evidenceFormulation and safety data support dehydroacetic acid as an efficient, low-irritation preservative when used within allowed limits, often in blends.
On a label: usually effective at 0.3-1%.
Who it's for, and who should skip it
Tends to suit
- all
Approach with care
No specific group flagged to avoid it.
- Clogs poresLow
- Irritation riskLow
- pH-dependentIts effect depends on the product's pH
How it fits each skin type
- DrySuits
- CombinationSuits
- OilySuits
- SensitiveSuits
Where it fits in your routine
Plays well with
Dehydroacetic Acid, answered
Is Dehydroacetic Acid safe during pregnancy?
Yes. Dehydroacetic Acid is considered safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. As with anything, if you are unsure it is worth a quick word with your doctor or midwife.
Who should avoid Dehydroacetic Acid?
No specific group is flagged to avoid Dehydroacetic Acid. It is well tolerated by most skin. Still, introduce anything new one product at a time.
What concentration of Dehydroacetic Acid actually works?
Dehydroacetic Acid tends to do its job in the 0.3 to 1% range. Much lower and it is likely underdosed.
Can you mix Dehydroacetic Acid with
This, for every label you own
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