Common Name(s): Deoxycholic acid,deoxycholic acid,secondary bile acid,fat dissolution active
CAS Number: N/a
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Dissolves and emulsifies dietary fats at high concentration (fda-approved injectable fat dissolution) and at lower cosmetic concentrations provides lipid-dissolving and emulsification activity contributing to body contouring formulations.
Why It's Used: Deoxycholic acid is the only fda-approved injectable for permanent fat cell destruction — at cosmetic concentrations it provides the fat-dissolving emulsification chemistry without the cell-lytic concentration required for the medical application.
How It Works: Deoxycholate's steroidal backbone with two hydroxyl groups provides amphiphilic character for bile salt micelle formation — critical micelle concentration ~0.5–2 mm. at injectable concentrations (>5 mm), deoxycholate disrupts adipocyte plasma membrane phospholipids causing permanent cell lysis. at cosmetic concentrations, it emulsifies surface sebum and lipid deposits.
Typically Found In: Body contouring,emulsification,specialty care
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient – cosmetic active
Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: Check concentration and market regulatory status
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Conditional - supplier confirmation required
Halal Status: Unverified - supplier confirmation required
Source Notes: Commercially produced for cosmetic use. verify vegan/halal status with supplier. [audit 2026-07-29 rev2: the record's own source_notes does not assert a non-animal origin, or instructs the reader to verify with the supplier; "yes" asserts knowledge the record does not hold. determination requires shariah-panel sign-off.]
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Well-tolerated by most skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Good safety profile at recommended concentrations. ewg score: 1–2.
Works Well With: Standard skincare actives
Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Regulatory status varies significantly: deoxycholic acid injectable (kybella/belkyra) is a prescription pharmaceutical in the us and eu. cosmetic topical use requires confirmation that the concentration does not cross into pharmaceutical classification in each target market.
Last Verified: 2026-03-22
Primary Sources: Cosing database,fda kybella,deoxycholic acid fat dissolution regulatory review