Diethyl Succinate

AKA: 123-25-1, Diethyl butanedioate, Butanedioic acid, Diethyl ester, Succinic acid diethyl ester, 1, 4-diethyl butanedioate, 4-diethyl ester, Succinic acid, FEMA No. 2377
Synthetic
Emollient
Solvent
Skin Conditioner
Clean
Diethyl succinate has been reported in Opuntia ficus-indica, Couroupita guianensis, and other organisms with data available.
Solubility 19.1 mg/mL at 25 °C
Formula
C8H14O4
Mol. Weight
174.19
CAS #
123-25-1
Form
Liquid
State
Colorless liquid; [ICSC]
Functions
Plasticiser
Emollient
Fills in the tiny cracks between skin cells to make everything feel smooth and soft. The "silky finish" ingredient.
Solvent
Dissolves other ingredients so they distribute evenly in the formula. Often the invisible "base" everything else is mixed into.
Locks In Moisture
Traditional Use
Modern synthetic ester used as a solvent and humectant in cosmetic formulations. Developed to improve product texture and moisture retention in skincare products.
EWG
1
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Regulatory Status
USApermitted
EUrestricted
JAPANrestricted
CANADArestricted
Skin Types
all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper
⚖️Regulatory1 listing
🛡️Safety-assessed1 review
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR