Picramic Acid
AKA “2-Amino-4, 6-dinitrophenol, 96-91-3, Fourrine 4R, Fourrine 93, Furro 4R, Acide picramique, Oxidation Base 21, Zoba 4R, 2, 4-Dinitro-6-aminophenol”
Acid
Ingredient Facts
Picramic acid
AKA: 2-Amino-4, 6-dinitrophenol, 96-91-3, Fourrine 4R, Fourrine 93, Furro 4R, Acide picramique, Oxidation Base 21, Zoba 4R, 2, 4-Dinitro-6-aminophenol
Acid · Hair Dyeing · EWG: 2
Synthetic
Acid
Clean
2-Amino-4,6-dinitrophenol (CI 76540)
Solubility less than 1 mg/mL at 68.9 °F (NTP, 1992)
Formula
C6H5N3O5
Mol. Weight
199.12
CAS #
96-91-3
Form
Liquid
State
2-amino-4,6-dinitrophenol, wetted with not less than 20% water appears as dark red needles or prisms. Red crystals. Water insoluble. Explosive in the dry state but desensitized by wetting. Easily igni
See origin →
Functions
Hair Dyeing
Colors Hair
Traditional Use
A synthetic organic compound developed in the 19th century, originally used in dye and pigment production. Its use in cosmetics is modern and relates to its potential preservative or coloring properties.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Caution
2-Amino-4-nitrophenol.
IARC monographs on the evaluation of carcinogenic risks to humans, 1993
Amended safety assessment of sodium picramate and picramic acid.
Becker LC, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Klaassen CD, Marks JG Jr et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2009
Amended Safety Assessment of Sodium Picramate and Picramic Acid
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Safety Assessment of 2-Amino-4-Hydroxyethylaminoanisole and 2-Amino-4-Hydroxyethylaminoanisole Sulfate as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
2-Amino-4-Hydroxyethylaminoanisole
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
2-Amino-4-Hydroxyethylaminoanisole Sulfate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Picramic Acid
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
2-Amino-4-Hydroxyethylaminoanisole
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
2-Amino-4-Hydroxyethylaminoanisole Sulfate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Picramic Acid
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
2-Amino-4-nitrophenol
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
2-Amino-4-hydroxyethylaminoanisole sulfate - a coupler causing contact allergy from use in hair dyes.
Madsen JT, Andersen KE
Contact dermatitis, 2016
2-Amino-4-hydroxyethylaminoanisole sulfate - a coupler causing contact allergy from use in hair dyes.
Madsen JT, Andersen KE
Contact dermatitis, 2016
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR