Erucic Acid

AKA: (Z)-Docos-13-enoic acid, 112-86-7, Cis-13-Docosenoic acid, 13-Docosenoic acid, 13-cis-Docosenoic acid, Hystrene 2290, 13Z-docosenoic acid, Prifrac 2990
Synthetic
Skin Conditioner
Acid
Not Clean
Erucic acid is a docosenoic acid having a cis- double bond at C-13. It is found particularly in brassicas - it is a major component of mustard and rapeseed oils and is produced by broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale, and wallflowers. It is a conjugate acid of an erucate.
Solubility Soluble in ethanol, carbon tetrachloride; very soluble in ethyl ether, methanol
Formula
C22H42O2
Mol. Weight
338.60
CAS #
112-86-7
Form
Liquid
State
Liquid; Other Solid; Pellets or Large Crystals
Functions
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Locks in moisture
Traditional Use
A long-chain fatty acid derived from rapeseed oil, first isolated in the 19th century. Used historically in lubricants and later adapted for cosmetic formulations as an emollient and conditioning agent.
EWG
4
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
Dryness
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