Formic Acid

Product Description

Green Stone Swiss supplies cosmetic-grade formic acid with batch-level COA traceability for aqueous preservative and pH-control programs. Direct factory access supports flexible MOQ from lab trials to bulk drum orders.

CosIng V/14 recognizes formic acid as a permitted preservative at ≤0.5% as acid. Proton donation suppresses microbial proliferation in water-rich rinse-off bases while holding matrix acidity in the 3.5–4.5 window that protects acid-labile actives.

Paraben-reduced hair care and cleansing brands adopt formic acid to combine antimicrobial support with precise acidity adjustment—delivering compact INCI declarations aligned with EU Annex V without legacy preservative blends.

Product Specification

• INCI Name: Formic Acid
• CAS No.: 64-18-6
• Appearance: Colorless to faint yellow fuming liquid with characteristic pungent odor
• Solubility: Miscible with water, ethanol, and glycerin; limited solubility in non-polar oils
• Suggested pH: Concentrate ~2.0; finished products typically 3.0–5.0 when diluted
• Assay Method: Acid-base titration (Typical); identity confirmed by IR spectroscopy
• Shelf Life: 24 months unopened at 15–25 °C in sealed HDPE containers (Typical)
• Standard Packaging: 1 kg, 25 kg, and 250 kg drum options (Typical)
• Storage: Keep sealed in cool, ventilated area; corrosive—store away from bases and oxidizers
• Regulatory Status: CosIng V/14 preservative; EU Annex V max 0.5% as acid; FDA permitted as pH adjuster
• Quality & Testing: Typical assay ≥96%; chloride ≤50 ppm; iron ≤5 ppm; COA/SDS available on request
• Compliance Note: For cosmetic use only. Limit finished-product concentration to 0.5% as acid per EU Annex V when used as preservative.

Key Benefits & Applications

Formic acid serves as a compact dual-function additive for aqueous rinse-off and hair-care matrices requiring Annex V–compliant preservation with simultaneous acidity control.

• Annex V Microbial Control: Suppresses bacterial and fungal growth within the EU 0.5% as-acid limit in shampoos, conditioners, and aqueous cleansers.
• Acidic pH Anchoring: Holds formulation acidity at 3.5–4.5 to stabilize hydrolysis-sensitive actives and support hair cuticle alignment in rinse-off systems.
• Dual-Function Economy: One INCI ingredient delivers both preservation and pH management, reducing total additive load in compact-label salon formulas.

Formulation Guidelines

Formic acid suits aqueous rinse-off and hair-care matrices requiring Annex V–compliant preservation with simultaneous pH control.

• Recommended use level: 0.05–0.5% as acid for Annex V preservation; trace amounts for pH adjustment only.
• Optimal formula pH: 3.0–5.0 in finished products; partially neutralize to formate salts if milder acidity is required.
• Processing: Pre-dilute in water or ethanol; add below 40 °C with corrosion-resistant mixers and adequate ventilation.
• Compatibility: Compatible with glycols and short-chain alcohols; avoid chlorinated solvents, strong oxidizers, and undissociated amines.
• Caution: Corrosive concentrate—use PPE; limit leave-on applications to non-irritating levels per safety assessment.
• Synergy: Formulators often co-add Phenethyl Alcohol at 0.3–1% to broaden mild preservative coverage in acidic toners.