Common Name(s): Butanedioic acid,ethylene succinic acid,amber acid

CAS Number: 110-15-6

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Provides multi-action anti-aging, brightening, and sebum-regulating activity as a krebs cycle metabolite acid.

Why It's Used: Multi-functional acid active targeting aging, sebum regulation, and microbiome normalization – an underutilized but clinically interesting naturally occurring dicarboxylic acid.

How It Works: Supports mitochondrial krebs cycle for cellular energy. inhibits 5-alpha-reductase for sebum reduction. mild keratolytic activity via ph reduction. normalizes skin microbiome by adjusting surface ph to favor cutibacterium acnes over pathogenic staphylococcus aureus.

Typically Found In: Anti-aging serums,oily skin products,natural acid formulations

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Active ingredient – krebs cycle acid

Secondary Functions: Krebs cycle support,5-alpha-reductase inhibition,microbiome ph normalization

Application Areas:

Typical Concentration Range: 0.5%–5%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Yes – from amber (fossilized resin), yeast fermentation, or synthetic

Halal Status: Yes

Source Notes: Plant-derived extract or synthetic.

SKIN COMPATIBILITY

Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low

Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic

Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating; well-tolerated.

Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes

SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY

Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.

Works Well With: Vitamin c,vitamin e,ferulic acid,spf,other antioxidants

Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Succinic acid's fda-classified status as a 'generally recognized as safe' (gras) food ingredient and its role as an endogenous krebs cycle metabolite provide an excellent safety profile. its combination of mitochondrial metabolic support and direct sebum-regulating activity positions it as a uniquely multi-mechanism acid for aging, oily skin.

Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12