Poly(3-Hydroxyoctanoic Acid)

Poly(3-Hydroxyoctanoic Acid) 1
Poly(3-Hydroxyoctanoic Acid) 2
Synthetic
Skin Conditioner
Chemical Exfoliant
Acid
Not Clean
Poly(3-Hydroxyoctanoic Acid) is a cosmetic ingredient. Assessed as safe by the CIR.
Formula
C18H17N3O3
Mol. Weight
323.3
CAS #
96478-13-6
Form
Powder
State
Solid
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.
Light Stabilizer
Skin Protecting
Locks In Moisture
Antioxidant Protection
Reduces Inflammation
Shields skin from damage
Prevents light degradation
Traditional Use
A synthetic biodegradable polymer developed in recent decades as an environmentally conscious alternative to conventional polymers. Used in cosmetics as a film-former and texture agent without historical applications.
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not an Irritant
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Regulatory Status
USA✔ permitted
EU⚠ restricted
JAPAN⚠ restricted
CANADA⚠ restricted
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewednone on file
⚖️Regulatory0 listings
🛡️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