Back to Ingredient Dictionary
Common Name(s): Heptadecadienyl furan,heptadecadienyl furan,marine lipid antioxidant,furan fatty acid free radical scavenger
CAS Number: N/a
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides exceptional lipid-phase antioxidant protection from the furan ring's singlet oxygen quenching — protecting sc lipids and formulation fatty components from photooxidative degradation at concentrations far below vitamin e.
Why It's Used: Furan fatty acids represent a unique class of lipid antioxidants — the furan ring's electron-rich pi system provides singlet oxygen quenching rates exceeding alpha-tocopherol by orders of magnitude from the resonance-stabilised radical intermediate.
How It Works: Furanoid fatty acid furan ring reacts with ¹o₂ via [4+2] cycloaddition → furanone intermediate → ring-opening products eliminating the peroxide; rate constant >10⁸ m⁻¹s⁻¹ for ¹o₂ quenching (vs alpha-tocopherol: ~5×10⁷ m⁻¹s⁻¹). the c17 alkyl chain provides lipid-phase solubility for membrane integration.
Typically Found In: Anhydrous cosmetics,sunscreens,anti-aging
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient – antioxidant
Secondary Functions: Free radical scavenging,anti-aging
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.01%–1%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes
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
Furan fatty acid availability: found primarily in marine fish oils (menhaden, mackerel) at ~0.1-0.5% of total fatty acids — the marine source origin providing dual marine-beauty and antioxidant chemistry narratives.
Last Verified: 2026-03-22
Primary Sources: Cosing database,heptadecadienyl furan furanoid fatty acid antioxidant review