Naturally occurring in anise and fennel; generally well tolerated; often used in combination with other natural antimicrobials (e.g., levulinic acid) for broad-spectrum preservation; low sensitization potential.
Function & Common Use
Preservative, Antimicrobial, Fragrance
Preservatives
Natural cosmetics, skincare serums, cleansers; often combined with levulinic acid as natural preservative system
Natural/Synthetic
Concentration Limits
None
None (GMP; used as multifunctional ingredient)
None
None
Format restriction: None
Baby restriction: No
Pregnancy: No
IFRA: No
Frequently Asked Questions
Is p-Anisic Acid safe to use in skincare?
p-Anisic Acid has a Low concern rating from The Clean Sheet. Naturally occurring in anise and fennel; generally well tolerated; often used in combination with other natural antimicrobials (e.g., levulinic acid) for broad-spectrum preservation; low sensitization potential.
Is p-Anisic Acid allowed in India?
p-Anisic Acid is currently classified as "Permitted" under Indian cosmetics regulations. The maximum permitted concentration is None.
What is p-Anisic Acid used for in cosmetics?
p-Anisic Acid functions as: Preservative, Antimicrobial, Fragrance. It is commonly found in: Natural cosmetics, skincare serums, cleansers; often combined with levulinic acid as natural preservative system.
Can p-Anisic Acid cause an allergic reaction?
Yes. p-Anisic Acid has an allergen flag (No). If you have sensitive skin or known fragrance/contact allergies, patch-test products containing this ingredient before full use.
Is p-Anisic Acid safe for babies?
p-Anisic Acid has baby/child restrictions: No. Avoid using products containing this ingredient on infants unless specifically formulated and labelled for baby use.
Regulatory Status
EU Annex: None (used as preservative under general cosmetic safety; not specifically listed in Annex V)
Identifiers
Want to check if your product contains p-Anisic Acid?
Analyse a Product