Ethyl Citrates
AKA “3-Propanetricarboxylic acid, ethyl ester, RefChem:594398, DTXCID101028337, Ethyl 2-hydroxy-1, 3-propanetricarboxylate, ethanol;2-hydroxypropane-1, 3-tricarboxylic acid”
Synthetic
Ingredient Facts
Ethyl citrates
AKA: 3-Propanetricarboxylic acid, Ethyl ester, RefChem:594398, DTXCID101028337, Ethyl 2-hydroxy-1, 3-propanetricarboxylate, Ethanol;2-hydroxypropane-1, 3-tricarboxylic acid
Synthetic · Film Forming · EWG: 4
Synthetic
Occlusive
Chelating Agent
Synthetic
Clean
Helps hair hold its style and shape throughout the day, keeping curls or waves in place without a stiff feel.
Formula
C8H14O8
Mol. Weight
238.19
CAS #
172820-60-9
Form
Powder
See origin →
Functions
Chelating
Grabs onto metal ions in water that would destabilize the formula. Keeps your product from going bad or changing color.
Film Forming
Creates a physical seal on skin to lock moisture in and keep irritants out. The "slugging" ingredient — barrier protection.
Hair Fixing
Moisturizing
Locks in moisture to keep skin soft and supple throughout the day
Strengthens Barrier
Holds hair in place
Traditional Use
Synthetic esters of citric acid developed in the 20th century. Used in cosmetics as plasticizers, emollients, and chelating agents, improving product texture and shelf stability.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Melanin-Rich Skin
Suitable
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
RIFM fragrance ingredient safety assessment, pentanedioic acid, 1,5-dimethyl ester, CAS Registry Number 1119-40-0.
Api AM, Belsito D, Botelho D, Browne D, Bruze M et al.
Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association, 2018
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Ethyl Ester of PVM/MA Copolymer and Butyl Ester of PVM/MA Copolymer
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Ethyl Citrates
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Ethyl Ester of PVM/MA Copolymer
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Potassium Ethyl Ester of PVM/MA Copolymer
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Shea Butter Ethyl Esters
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Silybum marianum ethyl ester
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Ethyl Ester of PVM/MA Copolymer
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Shea Butter Ethyl Esters
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Detection of fatty acid ethyl esters in skin surface lipids as biomarkers of ethanol consumption in alcoholics, social drinkers, light drinkers, and t
González-Illán F, Ojeda-Torres G, Díaz-Vázquez LM, Rosario O
Journal of analytical toxicology, 2011
3-Imidazol-4-ylacrylic acid and its ethyl ester
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Synthesis of mixed esters of ascorbic acid using methyl esters of palm and soybean oils.
Hsieh HJ, Chen JW, Giridhar R, Wu WT
Preparative biochemistry & biotechnology, 2005
Verified Feb 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR