Boric Acid

Boric Acid

AKA “Orthoboric acid, 10043-35-3, Boracic acid, Borofax, Boron hydroxide, Boric acid (H3BO3), Boron trihydroxide, Basilit B, Three Elephant”

Acid

Ingredient Facts

Boric acid

AKA: Orthoboric acid, 10043-35-3, Boracic acid, Borofax, Boron hydroxide, Boric acid (H3BO3), Boron trihydroxide, Basilit B, Three Elephant

Acid · Antimicrobial · EWG: 4

Synthetic

Preservative

Acid

Not Clean

Boric acid (H3BO3) also called hydrogen borate, boracic acid, orthoboric acid is a weak acid of boron often used as an antiseptic, insecticide, flame retardant, neutron absorber, or precursor to other chemical compounds. It has the chemical formula H3BO3 (sometimes written B(OH)3), and exists in the form of colorless crystals or a white powder that dissolves in water. When occurring as a mineral, it is called sassolite. Borate is a food contaminant deriving from paper and paperboard in contact with food. It has limited use as an antibacterial agent in caviar.

Solubility 10 to 50 mg/mL at 66 °F (NTP, 1992)

Formula

BH3O3

Mol. Weight

61.84

CAS #

10043-35-3, 11113-50-1

Form

Liquid

State

Boric acid is an odorless white solid. Melting point 171 °C. Sinks and mixes with water. (USCG, 1999)

See origin →

Functions

Antimicrobial

Keeps your product from growing bacteria, mold, or yeast. Without these, that jar of cream becomes a petri dish in about a week.

Buffering

Denaturant

Fights Bacteria

Traditional Use

Used in traditional medicine and early 20th-century cosmetics as a mild antiseptic and preservative. Historically employed in skin salves and eye washes, though its use has been restricted in many countries due to toxicity concerns.

Skin Types

●all-skin-types

Best For

General

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe

EWG

CIR

Safe as used

Pregnancy

CIR Safety Findings

Not a Sensitizer

medical-approval

all-shades-safe

Concentration Guide

5.0%

0%7%

Reg. Limit

EU regulatory limit: 5.0%. (a) 5% (as boric acid) (b) 0.1% (as boric acid) (c) 3% (as boric acid). (a) Not to be used for children under 3 years of age Not to be used on peeling or irritated skin (b) Not to be swallowed Not to be used for children under 3 years of age (c) Not to be used for chi... Source: EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009, Annex III (Restricted Substances), Entry 1a.