Capsaicin
AKA “404-86-4, Zostrix, CAPSAICINE, Qutenza, trans-Capsaicin, Styptysat, Axsain, Isodecenoic acid vanillylamide, Ausanil”
Skin Conditioning
Ingredient Facts
Capsaicin
AKA: 404-86-4, Zostrix, CAPSAICINE, Qutenza, Trans-Capsaicin, Styptysat, Axsain, Isodecenoic acid vanillylamide, Ausanil
Skin Conditioning · Skin Conditioning · EWG: 1
Synthetic
Skin Conditioner
Clean
N-[(4-Hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)methyl]-8-methyl-6-nonenamide
Solubility Insoluble in cold water
Formula
C18H27NO3
Mol. Weight
305.40
CAS #
404-86-4
Form
Powder
State
Dark red solid with a volatile pungent odor; [HSDB] Formulated as dry powder, liquid, and liquid spray; [Reference #1] White crystalline solid; [Sigma-Aldrich MSDS]
See origin →
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.
Locks in moisture
Traditional Use
The pungent alkaloid compound isolated from chili peppers, traditionally used in Asian and Latin American medicine for pain relief and warming treatments. Modern cosmetics use it for stimulating circulation and creating warming sensations in topical products.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types, gentle
Best For
Circulation
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Caution
Enhanced skin permeation of a new capsaicin derivative (DA-5018) from a binary vehicle system composed of isopropyl myristate and ethoxydiglycol.
Cha BJ, Lee ED, Kim WB, Chung SJ, Lee MH et al.
Archives of pharmacal research, 2001
Capsaicin
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Development, Characterization and Skin Interaction of Capsaicin-Loaded Microemulsion-Based Nonionic Surfactant.
Duangjit S, Chairat W, Opanasopit P, Rojanarata T, Panomsuk S et al.
Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin, 2016
Capsaicin
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR