Ethyl Citrates

AKA: 1, 2, 3-Propanetricarboxylic acid, Ethyl ester, 172820-60-9, Ethyl 2-hydroxy-1, 3-propanetricarboxylate, Ethanol;2-hydroxypropane-1, 3-tricarboxylic acid, Citric acid ethanol, QJWQYOHBMUQHGZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N

Synthetic

Not Clean

Ethyl Citrates is a mixture of mono-, di- and triesters of ethanol and Citric Acid

Formula

C8H14O8

Mol. Weight

238.19

CAS #

172820-60-9

Form

Powder

Functions

Hair Fixing

Moisturizing

Strengthens Barrier

Holds hair in place

Traditional Use

Synthetic esters of citric acid developed in the 20th century. Used in cosmetics as plasticizers, emollients, and chelating agents, improving product texture and shelf stability.

EWG

CIR

Safe as used

Pregnancy

Yes

CIR Safety Findings

Not a Sensitizer

medical-approval

all-shades-safe

Regulatory Status

USA✔ permitted

EU⚠ restricted

JAPAN⚠ restricted

CANADA⚠ restricted

Regulatory Agencies

EWG CIR FDA EU COSING Health Canada

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